tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post5787215313899540362..comments2024-03-21T19:08:05.737-07:00Comments on Genealogy's Star: The Issue of Source Citations in GenealogyJames Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02989059644120454647noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-67250443310889236122014-06-24T08:25:20.903-07:002014-06-24T08:25:20.903-07:00Very good point, except the gradations between the...Very good point, except the gradations between the different types of genealogy are not defined. It is not quite so easy to differentiate between the two extremes. James Tannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02989059644120454647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-76424853884335177292014-06-24T00:54:15.759-07:002014-06-24T00:54:15.759-07:00I know there are people out there who are fed up w...I know there are people out there who are fed up with the whole 'What is Genealogy?' issue (see http://parallax-viewpoint.blogspot.com/2014/05/what-is-genealogy.html). I'm coming more-and-more to the conclusion, though, that this issue isn't simply one of citations versus none, or even beginners versus experienced. There are two distinct endeavours out there: there are people who only want to create and share their family tree as a pastime -- and without all the academic hassles -- and there are those who want to take a rigorous approach to research and documentation. Rather than criticising people indulging in the other endeavour to ourselves, we should be recognising their different objectives. Unfortunately, if there are two endeavours then they do not have distinct descriptions, and I believe this has several unwanted consequences which we're all aware of.Tony Proctorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18330460400737261264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-36759117345418147072014-06-23T15:42:42.226-07:002014-06-23T15:42:42.226-07:00Good points. Unfortunately, FamilySearch is an eas...Good points. Unfortunately, FamilySearch is an easy target is this area. But you do have to "know the territory" and realize where it all came from. James Tannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02989059644120454647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-70656620617453109972014-06-23T15:40:33.649-07:002014-06-23T15:40:33.649-07:00Yes, that is true. I also started out putting toge...Yes, that is true. I also started out putting together a pedigree without sources other than my own personal records 33 years ago now. James Tannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02989059644120454647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-85139865151157949342014-06-23T13:07:21.088-07:002014-06-23T13:07:21.088-07:00"Perhaps those of us who view genealogy as ne..."Perhaps those of us who view genealogy as needing sources should be a little more tolerant of those who have not yet reached that point of understanding the process". A thoughtful point of view.<br /><br />But how do we reconcile that view with the locking down of some profiles and your (entirely justified) advocacy of the Silver Books? Somehow there has to be an impulse whether it be via education, self-realisation or guidance through system features for the learners to take a more robust stance over assessing the quality of the data that they input. And since about the only one of those three that can be controlled by outside parties *is* system features, it seems to me that it is the software that has to be improved. Either that or we don't complain, don't lock down, don't advocate certain books, etc. "Put up or shut up"?<br /><br />There is no magic bullet launched by requiring sources - the really crucial thing, I believe, is not citing the source but understanding whether this John Doe really is my John Doe. As you say "addition of a source citation in no way assures the accuracy of the online entry".<br /><br />But in the meantime it is disappointing to see FamilySearch (who *should* know better) running data-loads to automatically create people in FS FamilyTree from datasets such as the Cheshire Parish Register (yes, personal experience here) *without* creating the source citations in FS FT at the same time to illustrate where the data has come from. A perfect opportunity lost to say "Look, this is what a source citation looks like in FS FT, nothing magical about it."Adrian Brucenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-77010661742101655342014-06-23T10:36:08.089-07:002014-06-23T10:36:08.089-07:00It would be difficult for me to believe that anyon...It would be difficult for me to believe that anyone beginning a recording of their genealogy would even consider citing sources, and were we not all "beginners" at one time? I think I am like most others. I started recording my pedigree, the first information comes rather quickly and I cannot even type fast enough. But then I find a conflict and need to determine what is correct. That is when I see the need for sources. Are those who now insist on "the proper way" to cite sources different? Fortunately we all learn to do better. I am thankful for those who encourage sources as well as those who are just beginning.Grandpa Landmeierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18397287163921539683noreply@blogger.com