APG-L Archives

Archiver > APG > 2005-02 > 1107410877


From: doumajk <>
Subject: Re: [APG] Deceased Genealogist's Work Files
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2005 01:08:12 -0500 (GMT-05:00)


There are many manuscript collections in various libraries that are made up of this type of genealogical material. Some are truly "manuscripts" of publications and the collection may include the research notes and sources which may not be identified in the publication. Some are collections of research which has never been published, but could be exceedingly useful to another researcher, as a guide for where to look and what was found, evaluations made, etc. This could well include files of public records which the new researcher could take months or years to gather, or might luck out to find filed by an earlier researcher.

Yes, there may be privleged information, that is what genealogists deal with and must make a decision whether to publish or not. We all See a lot of personal information about the living, whether we post it on the web or publish in a book is a choice we all make. Yes, there may be copyright issues, but again, that is something the researcher must address. In many cases, when papers are given to a library or other repository, there is a deed of gift which covers access, copyright and privacy. Generally, if someone gives their files to a repository, the idea is for them to be available for others to use for research. Not to copy and publish as their own, but one more step in the research process. (The biggest objection I see here would be the financial arrangements between the client and the genealogist.)

And some of it could be files and files of worthless junk!!!! A lot of places will not have the staff necessary to evaluate all that for every possible family and location that comes in, so again, it wil be up to the researcher. Rather like thousands of books on the shelves, family trees on-line, etc...


Jane

Jane Douma Pearson




This thread: