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Archiver > ESSEX-UK > 2005-05 > 1115100831


From: "Edwin and Cornelia Moore" <>
Subject: Re: [Ess] The Big 6 pertinent questions
Date: Mon, 2 May 2005 23:13:51 -0700
References: <000f01c54f6b$9cdd4910$2800a8c0@dell2>


> 1, When you hit a dead end in your research due to lack of resources, do
you switch off family history for a while?

depends how dead the end is. in other words, if I've tried all the tried and
true methods, and all lines screech to a halt, and there's no new databases
online, either I need to take a break, or change my perspective. if I stop
thinking the usual way I do, step back and try to view the problem from a
different angle, sometimes I get a breakthrough. and sometimes I really do
need a break. they don't last long.
>
>
> 2. At this same time, do you start researching all of the other possible
> leads in other relevant/non-relevant parts of your research?

absolutely

>
> 3. Whilst doing research, do you ever just get involved in a project (of
> your own making) to add useful info that you have available to other
> researchers?

I've placed my files online, and some files that aren't any relation to me
but I've worked them. I do some look-ups for others, BWO, census, etc. I've
never had the time I've wanted to put a website together and do something
wonderful. I have a set of books, rare as hens teeth, with tons of vitals,
I'd love to get 'filmed and transcribed. it'd take another lifetime. some
projects have to be left for others. oh, and I've asked the Mormon Church
twice if they want to 'film them....no real interest from them.
I include exact transcripts of all the wills I can find among my people in
the notes so that anyone researching those lines gets more than names and
dates. most sites where I post my genealogy allows notes to be shown.

> 4. Do you sometimes ask yourself 'why am I spending so much time on this
> research'?

yeah, I mean, I adore the hunt, but it takes up alot of my time, and I feel
a little guilty that other loves get neglected, sometimes.

> 5. Almost finally, don't you feel silly for some of the simple mistakes
made
> in your early days of researching family history? Are you able to admit
> these 'silly' mistakes, and share your knowledge with those who are in the
> process of doing the same?
>
yes, I do, and I'm a confessor. unfortunately, most of the people I've
confessed to, the ones connected to the error, have slammed the door in my
face. ouch. one family shut down when they decided I probably was Mormon,
which I was for a short while, then another sibling contacted me and it was
such a time between the two that when they asked about an individual, I
replied with the the "fact" that I had no-one with that name in my files
(without checking)...the effects of having forgot a family group long
dormant in a large file. all of us have senior moments...
I try to answer other researchers basic questions when possible.

> 6. Ah, hah, there has to be a sixth question; the important one! There are
a
> small number of people who expect others to do their research for them,
for
> free, e.g. 'Can you list all 'Brown' living in Chelmsford during the 1843
> riots?' etc. I am making this example up, but, how do we decide between
> being helpful and being taken for a free ride?

I've spent about USD15,000 on my research, documenting as much as possible.
some of the money has kept me electronically organised (a couple computers,
internet connection, fee based websites etc), and I did not include
gasoline, printer paper, ink and such in that estimate. I have shared and
helped as I could, and upon occasion come hat in hand. and yes, when I was a
newby, I requested too large a research upon occasion. in my oppinion, I can
never help enough in repayment for the help recieved from kind researchers
and relatives. I try, but I don't have access to enough specific files to
help others.
I've been taken. only a couple times. when I got it, I cut them off and
refused further communications. these were extremes, people who promised
payment for research with no intention of paying. much of my research is
given freely, but if there's a fee, cheating isn't part of the package.
and there was one, very recently, where I think the person was just plain
not understanding that 1880 information wasn't available in a file that only
went to 1836. I had to tell them 4 times, in ever firmer terms, that I
couldn't produce the data they wanted. I lived half a nation away from the
area they were interested in (as I was interested, as well) and had no
further information. they finally stopped requesting the information. so I
try and read between the lines and see what's going on. not always easy.

>
> Best
> kevan
>
>
>
> Make poverty history - support kenya2005
>
>
>
>
>


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