RE: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette

[Beverly Walker]

I would like to have Bruce Snell contact me off this list.  I am
researching the SNELL family too.

 

Beverly

[EMAIL PROTECTED] 

 

From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bruce
Snell
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 9:44 PM
To: LegacyUserGroup@legacyfamilytree.com
Subject: Re: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette

 

Cathy,

 

Thanks for the reply - and thanks for the link to the list guidelines.
I will make that my next stop.  

 

Bruce



 

On Thu, May 1, 2008 at 9:16 PM, Cathy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Hi Bruce,

Welcome to the Legacy User Group and thanks for thinking about
etiquette.
Do read the list guidelines - see link at the bottom of the email - and
you'll find this isn't the right place for your particular question :-)

Rootsweb hosts many lists and some are especially for  new researchers.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/
Rootsweb is now part of Ancestry.com but unlike ancestry it is free.

The answer to your question depends on where you find the wrong
information. Some websites enable you to post a note or flag with
alternate information or to say this is your ancestor ...

Unfortunately there are many "researchers" who don't want to know that
they've made a mistake.
To ensure you're not one of them, make sure you check all information in
gedcoms and look for better sources for the information. It would be
great to have a Primary source for every bit of information but we often
have to make do with something else.

Getting back on topic ;-)  However, you can set the surety level of all
your sources in Legacy. If you have imported sources with the gedcoms,
you can also go through and mark them as verified once you've seen the
source for yourself.

Enjoy your research and Legacy and come back to us with your next Legacy
question,

Cathy 



At 10:49 AM 2/05/2008, you wrote:

Hi, I'm new to the group, and not sure if this is the right place to
post this question, but I'm sure if it's not, someone will tell me where
to go.  

I'm fairly new to genealogical research, and putting together a database
based on gedcoms, and other information that I received from several
sources.  After putting everything together in one file, I started
looking for errors and problems.  I discovered that I had a 5th great
grandfather named Francis West.  At some point, he had been merged with
a Sir Francis West, as if they were the same person.  There were enough
similarities that it was an easy mistake to make, but they were
obviously not the same person.  I unlinked Sir Francis and "pruned" that
branch from my tree.

So, enough background, now the question.  In continuing my research,
looking for the true parents of Francis, I have found a couple online
family trees that have made the same mistake (merging Francis and Sir
Francis into one person).  What is the proper way to deal with this
situation?  Do I send an email to the people with this error and let
them know that their tree probably has an error, giving them enough
information to confirm it for themselves?  Or do I just let it go,
hoping that they will figure it out for themselves?  Is there some sort
of standard?

Thanks for any information.
I'll be back later with some other questions.

Bruce






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Re: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette

[RICHARD SCHULTHIES]

That is (IMHO) why many people post on-line (make
contacts).
Rich in LA CA
--- Georgia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> Along these lines, when a "match" is found in a tree
> at World 
> Connect, but there is no documentation, is it proper
> to e-mail the 
> person and ask where they found the information?
> 
> G E O R G I A  C H U N
> --
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 707.448.8378 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Legacy User Group guidelines: 
>http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp
> Archived messages: 
>   
>
http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup@legacyfamilytree.com/
> Online technical support:
> http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Help.asp
> To unsubscribe:
> http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/LegacyLists.asp
> 
> 
> 
> 




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Re: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette

[JLB]

Absolutely.
--
JL
JLog - simple computer technology for genealogists
http://www3.telus.net/Jgen/jlog.html

Georgia wrote:
Along these lines, when a "match" is found in a tree at World Connect, 
but there is no documentation, is it proper to e-mail the person and 
ask where they found the information?


G E O R G I A  C H U N
--
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
707.448.8378



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Re: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette

[Bruce Snell]

To all who have responded to my question, I thank you.  You have given me a
lot to think about, especially the importance of verifying and sourcing
everything.  This will result inme going back thru every individual in my
"tree" and getting serious about noting the sources I have, while seeking
sources for everything else.

Thanks again,
Bruce




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Re: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette

[Wynthner]

Proper? Yes
Effective? Doubtful
Most seems to have notes "This is all I have" or somesuch, "Not Verified", etc. 
Nine out of 10 times the sources are another GEDCOM one can't get access to.


- Original Message 
From: Georgia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: LegacyUserGroup@legacyfamilytree.com
Sent: Friday, May 2, 2008 10:30:44 AM
Subject: Re: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette

Along these lines, when a "match" is found in a tree at World 
Connect, but there is no documentation, is it proper to e-mail the 
person and ask where they found the information?

G E O R G I A  C H U N
--
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
707.448..8378 




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Re: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette

[Georgia]

Along these lines, when a "match" is found in a tree at World 
Connect, but there is no documentation, is it proper to e-mail the 
person and ask where they found the information?


G E O R G I A  C H U N
--
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
707.448.8378 





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Re: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette

[RICHARD SCHULTHIES]

We can only offer what we consider help, and let each
person decide how to handle it.
Rich in LA CA
--- Wynthner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> ok- first.
> I'd never use gedcoms wholesale. I might download
> one into a different file but until I had verified
> each "fact" about each person I'd never put it in my
> main file. I verify and add one single person at a
> time. True, it is slower but then I can claim it all
> as having been verified by me.
> Now, about notifying others of errors...
> Some will thank you, others will curse you, and
> others will ignore you. If I notice errors on a
> World Connect Tree at Rootsweb I'll use a Post-It
> note with what I consider the correct info.
> Sometimes it does some good, Sometimes it doesn't.
> A great many people are *very* resistant to
> acknowledging that they made a mistake, even when
> absolute documentation is presented.
> 
> 
> 
> - Original Message 
> From: Bruce Snell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: LegacyUserGroup@legacyfamilytree.com
> Sent: Thursday, May 1, 2008 9:49:10 PM
> Subject: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette
> 
> 
> Hi, I'm new to the group, and not sure if this is
> the right place to post this question, but I'm sure
> if it's not, someone will tell me where to go.  
>  
> I'm fairly new to genealogical research, and putting
> together a database based on gedcoms, and other
> information that I received from several sources. 
> After putting everything together in one file, I
> started looking for errors and problems.  I
> discovered that I had a 5th great grandfather named
> Francis West.  At some point, he had been merged
> with a Sir Francis West, as if they were the same
> person.  There were enough similarities that it was
> an easy mistake to make, but they were obviously not
> the same person.  I unlinked Sir Francis and
> "pruned" that branch from my tree.
>  
> So, enough background, now the question.  In
> continuing my research, looking for the true parents
> of Francis, I have found a couple online family
> trees that have made the same mistake (merging
> Francis and Sir Francis into one person).  What is
> the proper way to deal with this situation?  Do I
> send an email to the people with this error and let
> them know that their tree probably has an error,
> giving them enough information to confirm it for
> themselves?  Or do I just let it go, hoping that
> they will figure it out for themselves?  Is there
> some sort of standard?  
>  
> Thanks for any information.
> I'll be back later with some other questions.
>  
> Bruce
> Legacy User Group guidelines:
>    http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp
> Archived messages:
>
   http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup@legacyfamilytree.com/
> Online technical support:
> http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Help.asp
> To unsubscribe:
> http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/LegacyLists.asp
> 
> 
>  
>

> Be a better friend, newshound, and 
> know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.  Try it now. 
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> 
>   
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Re: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette

[Wynthner]

ok- first.
I'd never use gedcoms wholesale. I might download one into a different file but 
until I had verified each "fact" about each person I'd never put it in my main 
file. I verify and add one single person at a time. True, it is slower but then 
I can claim it all as having been verified by me.
Now, about notifying others of errors...
Some will thank you, others will curse you, and others will ignore you. If I 
notice errors on a World Connect Tree at Rootsweb I'll use a Post-It note with 
what I consider the correct info. Sometimes it does some good, Sometimes it 
doesn't.
A great many people are *very* resistant to acknowledging that they made a 
mistake, even when absolute documentation is presented.



- Original Message 
From: Bruce Snell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: LegacyUserGroup@legacyfamilytree.com
Sent: Thursday, May 1, 2008 9:49:10 PM
Subject: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette


Hi, I'm new to the group, and not sure if this is the right place to post this 
question, but I'm sure if it's not, someone will tell me where to go.  
 
I'm fairly new to genealogical research, and putting together a database based 
on gedcoms, and other information that I received from several sources.  After 
putting everything together in one file, I started looking for errors and 
problems.  I discovered that I had a 5th great grandfather named Francis West.  
At some point, he had been merged with a Sir Francis West, as if they were the 
same person.  There were enough similarities that it was an easy mistake to 
make, but they were obviously not the same person.  I unlinked Sir Francis and 
"pruned" that branch from my tree.
 
So, enough background, now the question.  In continuing my research, looking 
for the true parents of Francis, I have found a couple online family trees that 
have made the same mistake (merging Francis and Sir Francis into one person).  
What is the proper way to deal with this situation?  Do I send an email to the 
people with this error and let them know that their tree probably has an error, 
giving them enough information to confirm it for themselves?  Or do I just let 
it go, hoping that they will figure it out for themselves?  Is there some sort 
of standard?  
 
Thanks for any information.
I'll be back later with some other questions.
 
Bruce
Legacy User Group guidelines:
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Re: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette

[Bruce Snell]

Richard,
Thanks for the information.  I was not aware that that's what the "post-it"
feature on rootsweb was for.  I will keep it in mind in the future.

Bruce



On Thu, May 1, 2008 at 10:06 PM, RICHARD SCHULTHIES <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:

> When I have run into this situation in the past, I
> handled it by determining if the 'poster' was still
> alive, or submitted to a database that does not need
> to be re-subscribed to, (so will never disappear?).
> The place where the 'error' was placed is on Rootsweb,
> so I sent to the submitter, who was dead, and
> Rootsweb, which allows 'post-it notes' to be attached
> to archived data, since they will not change anyone's
> submission, not even the person's own, if too old. I
> would rather have the error with a correcting note,
> that allows each viewer to decide for themselves, than
> have the data disappear from a webpage with no
> explanation.
> Rich in LA CA
> PS The data was used in error by a 'Society' to gain
> membership.




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Re: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette

[RICHARD SCHULTHIES]

When I have run into this situation in the past, I
handled it by determining if the 'poster' was still
alive, or submitted to a database that does not need
to be re-subscribed to, (so will never disappear?).
The place where the 'error' was placed is on Rootsweb,
so I sent to the submitter, who was dead, and
Rootsweb, which allows 'post-it notes' to be attached
to archived data, since they will not change anyone's
submission, not even the person's own, if too old. I
would rather have the error with a correcting note,
that allows each viewer to decide for themselves, than
have the data disappear from a webpage with no
explanation.
Rich in LA CA
PS The data was used in error by a 'Society' to gain
membership.

--- Bruce Snell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> Hi, I'm new to the group, and not sure if this is
> the right place to post
> this question, but I'm sure if it's not, someone
> will tell me where to go.
> 
> 
> I'm fairly new to genealogical research, and putting
> together a database
> based on gedcoms, and other information that I
> received from several
> sources.  After putting everything together in one
> file, I started looking
> for errors and problems.  I discovered that I had a
> 5th great grandfather
> named Francis West.  At some point, he had been
> merged with a Sir Francis
> West, as if they were the same person.  There were
> enough similarities that
> it was an easy mistake to make, but they were
> obviously not the same
> person.  I unlinked Sir Francis and "pruned" that
> branch from my tree.
> 
> So, enough background, now the question.  In
> continuing my research, looking
> for the true parents of Francis, I have found a
> couple online family trees
> that have made the same mistake (merging Francis and
> Sir Francis into one
> person).  What is the proper way to deal with this
> situation?  Do I send an
> email to the people with this error and let them
> know that their tree
> probably has an error, giving them enough
> information to confirm it for
> themselves?  Or do I just let it go, hoping that
> they will figure it out for
> themselves?  Is there some sort of standard?
> 
> Thanks for any information.
> I'll be back later with some other questions.
> 
> Bruce
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Legacy User Group guidelines: 
>http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp
> Archived messages: 
>   
>
http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup@legacyfamilytree.com/
> Online technical support:
> http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Help.asp
> To unsubscribe:
> http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/LegacyLists.asp
> 
> 




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Re: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette

[Bruce Snell]

Cathy,

Thanks for the reply - and thanks for the link to the list guidelines.  I
will make that my next stop.

Bruce



On Thu, May 1, 2008 at 9:16 PM, Cathy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> Hi Bruce,
>
> Welcome to the Legacy User Group and thanks for thinking about etiquette.
> Do read the list guidelines - see link at the bottom of the email - and
> you'll find this isn't the right place for your particular question :-)
>
> Rootsweb hosts many lists and some are especially for  new researchers.
> http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/
> Rootsweb is now part of Ancestry.com but unlike ancestry it is free.
>
> The answer to your question depends on where you find the wrong
> information. Some websites enable you to post a note or flag with alternate
> information or to say this is your ancestor ...
>
> Unfortunately there are many "researchers" who don't want to know that
> they've made a mistake.
> To ensure you're not one of them, make sure you check all information in
> gedcoms and look for better sources for the information. It would be great
> to have a Primary source for every bit of information but we often have to
> make do with something else.
>
> Getting back on topic ;-)  However, you can set the surety level of all
> your sources in Legacy. If you have imported sources with the gedcoms, you
> can also go through and mark them as verified once you've seen the source
> for yourself.
>
> Enjoy your research and Legacy and come back to us with your next Legacy
> question,
>
> Cathy
>
>
> At 10:49 AM 2/05/2008, you wrote:
>
> > Hi, I'm new to the group, and not sure if this is the right place to
> > post this question, but I'm sure if it's not, someone will tell me where to
> > go.  
> >
> > I'm fairly new to genealogical research, and putting together a database
> > based on gedcoms, and other information that I received from several
> > sources.  After putting everything together in one file, I started looking
> > for errors and problems.  I discovered that I had a 5th great grandfather
> > named Francis West.  At some point, he had been merged with a Sir Francis
> > West, as if they were the same person.  There were enough similarities that
> > it was an easy mistake to make, but they were obviously not the same person.
> >  I unlinked Sir Francis and "pruned" that branch from my tree.
> >
> > So, enough background, now the question.  In continuing my research,
> > looking for the true parents of Francis, I have found a couple online family
> > trees that have made the same mistake (merging Francis and Sir Francis into
> > one person).  What is the proper way to deal with this situation?  Do I send
> > an email to the people with this error and let them know that their tree
> > probably has an error, giving them enough information to confirm it for
> > themselves?  Or do I just let it go, hoping that they will figure it out for
> > themselves?  Is there some sort of standard?
> >
> > Thanks for any information.
> > I'll be back later with some other questions.
> >
> > Bruce
> >
>
>
>
>
>  Legacy User Group guidelines:
> http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp
> Archived messages:
> http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup@legacyfamilytree.com/
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> http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Help.asp
> To unsubscribe: 
> http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/LegacyLists.asp
>
>
>
>




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Re: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette

[Bruce Snell]

Robert,

Thank you very much.  You reinforced my plan of sending an email and asking
a question about their data.  Who knows, they might be right  (I've been
wrong before) - it would result in an interesting new branch on the tree.
And of course, I would never start a conversation with. "You are wrong."  I
think that talking about common ancestors and asking if they could share
sources might be the most productive method in this case.

Again thanks for the help - and if I have offended anyone with this
question, I'm sorry, I'll try to limit myself to Legacy specific  questions
in the future.

Bruce


On Thu, May 1, 2008 at 8:28 PM, Robert Carneal USA <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:

> Hello, and welcome to Legacy.
>
> You have asked a question that there are probably as many opinions as
> there are people answering it.
>
> Suppose I tell you my personal policy? If the mistake is in Ancestry.com,
> for example, it is probably fruitless to report it. To correct it, they
> would ask you to send in your family tree. Genealogists would be expected to
> discern the difference between correct assembled data versus incorrectly
> assembled data. So, I don't try correcting Ancestry, it is probably a waste
> of time.
>
> A family genealogist also researching the same family, I might enter a
> lively discussion with. I have often said something like, "I found something
> interesting, some that seems to contradict what we know. See what you think
> about the following. We *believe* we know Wayne Collins was an officer in
> the army. His widow collected his pension, or so we think. I discovered a
> Wayne Collins with the same name for a spouse, same county of birth, that it
> makes me wonder if it is the same person, except this Wayne Collins seemed
> to avoid his calling into the army. Which do you think is right?" After
> about 50 email, we usually end up agreeing on something!  If I said, "hey,
> you were flat wrong, and *I* am right. Change your information to
> ." We'd fight hard over that!!
>
> On the other hand, what about someone researching your family you do not
> know? I just don't argue with them. I have written them, and introduced
> myself, and then said something like, "I noticed in your research, you have
> my ancestor of Hollis Ratliff with seven wives, and you listed their
> children. Where did you find that? I have not been able to find any of
> Hollis's children, and would love a chance to see if the children line up
> with my research."
>
> If / when I send a snail mail question, I pay for postage both ways as it
> is *me* who wants the information. I figure the other person shouldn't have
> to pay (except a little time to write or type) anything to answer a question
> for me.
>
> Does this help?
>
> Robert
>
>




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Re: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette

[Cathy]

Hi Bruce,

Welcome to the Legacy User Group and thanks for thinking about etiquette.
Do read the list guidelines - see link at the bottom of the email - 
and you'll find this isn't the right place for your particular question :-)


Rootsweb hosts many lists and some are especially for  new researchers.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/
Rootsweb is now part of Ancestry.com but unlike ancestry it is free.

The answer to your question depends on where you find the wrong 
information. Some websites enable you to post a note or flag with 
alternate information or to say this is your ancestor ...


Unfortunately there are many "researchers" who don't want to know 
that they've made a mistake.
To ensure you're not one of them, make sure you check all information 
in gedcoms and look for better sources for the information. It would 
be great to have a Primary source for every bit of information but we 
often have to make do with something else.


Getting back on topic ;-)  However, you can set the surety level of 
all your sources in Legacy. If you have imported sources with the 
gedcoms, you can also go through and mark them as verified once 
you've seen the source for yourself.


Enjoy your research and Legacy and come back to us with your next 
Legacy question,


Cathy

At 10:49 AM 2/05/2008, you wrote:
Hi, I'm new to the group, and not sure if this is the right place to 
post this question, but I'm sure if it's not, someone will tell me 
where to go.  


I'm fairly new to genealogical research, and putting together a 
database based on gedcoms, and other information that I received 
from several sources.  After putting everything together in one 
file, I started looking for errors and problems.  I discovered that 
I had a 5th great grandfather named Francis West.  At some point, he 
had been merged with a Sir Francis West, as if they were the same 
person.  There were enough similarities that it was an easy mistake 
to make, but they were obviously not the same person.  I unlinked 
Sir Francis and "pruned" that branch from my tree.


So, enough background, now the question.  In continuing my research, 
looking for the true parents of Francis, I have found a couple 
online family trees that have made the same mistake (merging Francis 
and Sir Francis into one person).  What is the proper way to deal 
with this situation?  Do I send an email to the people with this 
error and let them know that their tree probably has an error, 
giving them enough information to confirm it for themselves?  Or do 
I just let it go, hoping that they will figure it out for 
themselves?  Is there some sort of standard?


Thanks for any information.
I'll be back later with some other questions.

Bruce





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Re: [LegacyUG] A question of etiquette

[Robert Carneal USA]

Hello, and welcome to Legacy.

You have asked a question that there are probably as many opinions as 
there are people answering it.


Suppose I tell you my personal policy? If the mistake is in 
Ancestry.com, for example, it is probably fruitless to report it. To 
correct it, they would ask you to send in your family tree. Genealogists 
would be expected to discern the difference between correct assembled 
data versus incorrectly assembled data. So, I don't try correcting 
Ancestry, it is probably a waste of time.


A family genealogist also researching the same family, I might enter a 
lively discussion with. I have often said something like, "I found 
something interesting, some that seems to contradict what we know. See 
what you think about the following. We *believe* we know Wayne Collins 
was an officer in the army. His widow collected his pension, or so we 
think. I discovered a Wayne Collins with the same name for a spouse, 
same county of birth, that it makes me wonder if it is the same person, 
except this Wayne Collins seemed to avoid his calling into the army. 
Which do you think is right?" After about 50 email, we usually end up 
agreeing on something!  If I said, "hey, you were flat wrong, and *I* am 
right. Change your information to ." We'd fight hard over that!!


On the other hand, what about someone researching your family you do not 
know? I just don't argue with them. I have written them, and introduced 
myself, and then said something like, "I noticed in your research, you 
have my ancestor of Hollis Ratliff with seven wives, and you listed 
their children. Where did you find that? I have not been able to find 
any of Hollis's children, and would love a chance to see if the children 
line up with my research."


If / when I send a snail mail question, I pay for postage both ways as 
it is *me* who wants the information. I figure the other person 
shouldn't have to pay (except a little time to write or type) anything 
to answer a question for me.


Does this help?

Robert


Bruce Snell wrote:
Hi, I'm new to the group, and not sure if this is the right place to 
post this question, but I'm sure if it's not, someone will tell me 
where to go.  
 
I'm fairly new to genealogical research, and putting together a 
database based on gedcoms, and other information that I received from 
several sources.  After putting everything together in one file, I 
started looking for errors and problems.  I discovered that I had a 
5th great grandfather named Francis West.  At some point, he had been 
merged with a Sir Francis West, as if they were the same person.  
There were enough similarities that it was an easy mistake to make, 
but they were obviously not the same person.  I unlinked Sir Francis 
and "pruned" that branch from my tree.
 
So, enough background, now the question.  In continuing my research, 
looking for the true parents of Francis, I have found a couple online 
family trees that have made the same mistake (merging Francis and Sir 
Francis into one person).  What is the proper way to deal with this 
situation?  Do I send an email to the people with this error and let 
them know that their tree probably has an error, giving them enough 
information to confirm it for themselves?  Or do I just let it go, 
hoping that they will figure it out for themselves?  Is there some 
sort of standard? 
 
Thanks for any information.

I'll be back later with some other questions.
 
Bruce





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  http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup@legacyfamilytree.com/

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