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Archiver > QUEBEC-RESEARCH > 2009-07 > 1247940609


From: "Bev Thomson" <>
Subject: Re: [Q-R] Ancestry Corrections
Date: Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:10:09 -0400
References: <cec.5d9a13e9.3793001d@aol.com>, <4A61E509.1050700@videotron.ca><286730df.bee9.4724.95e0.a340cd503948@aol.com>


I agree wholeheartedly. NO ONE should make changes to the way
'original records' were written. Such alterations can be extremely
misleading to say the least.
Bev

----- Original Message -----
From: "owentagart" <>
To: "Mona Andrée Rainville" <>; "Ziggiez"
<>
Cc: <>
Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 12:52 PM
Subject: Re: [Q-R] Ancestry Corrections


In a message dated 07/18/09 11:14:55 Eastern Daylight Time,
writes:
The thing is...

However a name is actually written in the parish register is what it is.
There were variations in names, we all know that. Usually these
variations were actually how a family was known and called in a given
area. So "correcting" that name to what we believe it "should" be the
"standard" is actually introducing an error.

Sure, painting every one with the same brush may make things easier for
some, but don't forget, many "Rheaume" actually did go through life
calling themselves "Royaume", "Riaume", or even "Reholme". That was
their choice, and I respect that.

This change of spelling is as much part of your history as the dates of
the events and the number of ancestors one can find. It bears witness
to the very real struggle our ancestors had to overcome to get on with
life. The diversity of spellings may inconvenience the mere collectors
of names, but it should relish the family historians.

I will flag an entry only when there has been a misreading of what is
actually written in the parish register. For example, if someone has
written "Mary Smith" when in fact the name in the parish register is
"Marie Celine Rainvile", or when someone has transcribed a baptism into
a death, and so on.

Cheers,

Mona








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