tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post6803819130460569741..comments2024-03-07T23:20:49.790-07:00Comments on Genealogy's Star: Is genealogy now politically incorrect?James Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02989059644120454647noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-45511696069725326212013-08-04T08:35:53.860-07:002013-08-04T08:35:53.860-07:00Yes, it could be that there is a gentle attempt to...Yes, it could be that there is a gentle attempt to make everybody "feel good" - to give a stamp of approval to children of single parents. This is becoming more obvious with self-proclaimed genealogists who have been unhappy with their place in the traditional family tree. But there are situations where the family tree is "trimmed" to make it beautiful in the eyes of those who create it. Two questions come to mind: (1)Could the passion for "trimmed" family history still viewed as genealogy? (2)Should our education system offer genealogy under their history curriculum?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-30590388960548739162013-06-07T12:31:26.692-07:002013-06-07T12:31:26.692-07:00Could it be that the movement to have "family...Could it be that the movement to have "family history" supplant "genealogy" is an effort to make everybody "feel good" - to give a stamp of approval to children of single parents, adoptive children of non-traditional unions, sperm donations, etc., so that what matters most is not just names, dates, and places, but how everybody is one part of the human family? And we all live happily ever after? And can't we just all get along?<br /><br />As if the facts of your biological heritage don't matter, as if your DNA is irrelevant to your medical conditions. As if adoptees don't have family medical histories. As if truth does not matter so much as feeling happy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-72117397870090486872013-05-27T19:52:20.886-07:002013-05-27T19:52:20.886-07:00That's a good point. I think a factor that inf...That's a good point. I think a factor that influenced the LDS Church's decision to switch to "family history" was knowing that's the terminology in the UK.Nathan Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16335989842820672777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-26487949435204366302013-05-26T21:27:57.401-07:002013-05-26T21:27:57.401-07:00Very entertaining reading. I am not sure I could f...Very entertaining reading. I am not sure I could figure out what to do from that discussion. But, then again, maybe family history really is genealogy (or is it the other way around?). I think it is apparent from the comments to my posts, that most of the commentators have a very narrow view of both family history and genealogy. I wonder if those who attribute the term to the LDS Church understand the usage of the term "family history" in the UK?James Tannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02989059644120454647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-23306496096969830592013-05-26T19:29:15.743-07:002013-05-26T19:29:15.743-07:00Here's my take. "Genealogy" was what...Here's my take. "Genealogy" was what Mormons were supposed to "do," and the term took on unpleasant connotations because it was a guilt-laden duty. Most Mormons had no clue how to "do genealogy" but felt guilty about it. Many became allergic to it.<br /><br />In part to make genealogy appealing and to shake off the dusty, guilt-laden connotations, LDS genealogy authorities renamed it "family history." It always was family history -- and family history always involved genealogy. it was, indeed, a bit of marketing. (Marketing isn't necessarily evil.)<br /><br />The focus also shifted from mere name/date/place collection -- not unique to Mormons, but unfortunately common among Mormons -- to emphasizing understanding our ancestors and our history. This was a healthy shift, particularly as research became something people *could* do because of the availability of records and good software.<br /><br />The confound between professional and amateur genealogists is also part of the equation, but is mostly a concern to those of us who obsess over word usage. (Blessing, curse, blessing, curse...)<br /><br />The prominence of so many non-Mormons in genealogy has liberated many LDS church members from the unpleasant association between genealogy and guilt. Mormons can now see the enthusiasm and energy among those who love genealogy research for the right reasons -- not because it's a duty on which hangs their eternal salvation, but because it's a joy. <br /><br />It's infectious, whatever we call it.TheJZBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03111543865599609270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-26881397192466463172013-05-26T17:13:52.495-07:002013-05-26T17:13:52.495-07:00Here's a fun discussion about the topic: http:...Here's a fun discussion about the topic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Genealogy#Merger_proposal<br /><br />Wikipedians want to merge the two articles "genealogy" and "family history" into one article.Nathan Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16335989842820672777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-44670265345958983582013-05-26T16:03:50.347-07:002013-05-26T16:03:50.347-07:00I smell marketing behind the term "family his...I smell marketing behind the term "family history".Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18430377293349877032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-47631309924463873122013-05-26T14:58:21.311-07:002013-05-26T14:58:21.311-07:00James, is part of this distinction happening becau...James, is part of this distinction happening because some who don't do genealogy professionally don't feel comfortable calling themselves genealogists, so others are trying to make it sound less intimidating? Or, maybe because those who run genealogy websites and businesses (software, publishing, etc.) are trying to improve sales through less intimidating terms? (Not that you implied that businesses are the ones who are favoring the term family historian over genealogist.) <br /><br />Genealogy isn't just names, dates, and places. That's a big part of it, but it's so much more. It's finding our ancestors personal history and placing it within his/her story and a wider story (the community, national events, etc.) You need the method and skills of genealogy to make sense of the rest of it.<br /><br />When I think about it, I am working on my family history. But, I am using the tools that are found in the field of genealogy to help me piece that history together. Even if I am not a professional genealogists, I'm still using genealogy to find my roots. It's still genealogy no matter how you slice and dice it.Melhttp://www.researchjournal.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-21983743512577996412013-05-26T00:34:42.839-07:002013-05-26T00:34:42.839-07:00You've got it exactly right! Family History...You've got it exactly right! Family History's Star sounds stupid anyway. I used to be a Genealogist, now I am a Family Historisisst. Is that Historyist or Historist or what? Where is a linguist when you need one?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11959861255737097031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-72075615726350667452013-05-25T17:13:40.618-07:002013-05-25T17:13:40.618-07:00The people who are coming up with "new" ...The people who are coming up with "new" ideas have too much time on their hands that could be used to do genealogy. <br /><br /> When did this "political correctness" idea come from anyway? I would not say anything that is not polite or derogatory to anyone.<br /><br />Things are still the same no matter what you call it or them.<br /><br /><br />Claudiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02714440790407126206noreply@blogger.com