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Archiver > LOOKUP > 1997-11 > 0879894155


From: Mike Harbach <>
Subject: Re:Blanket Lookups etc
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 23:02:35 +0000


Hi All
Larraine wrote:
>
> I am a little concerned about the current discussion on blanket
> look-ups. I have frequently provided information to people looking for
> "any ref to the name XXXXXX" and it is not a problem. People seem to be
> complaining of providing the very service that we offer. Most of my
> books I have offered to look up have an index and it only takes a few
> moments. If there are just a few entries I will copy them out and send
> them all. If there are too many I will simply say that there are many
> entries for that name in that book and ask for more detail. If you
> can't provide what the person is asking for, just tell them so. You are
> all making me very nervous of asking anyone for anything!!
>
I take your point Larraine, but it's difficult to generalise, many of
the older books I have don't have indexes. For example I list White's
1851 directory of Staffs, a wonderful volume but it consists of 850
pages of entries in small type divided down into the tiniest of hamlets
and sub-divided within each place into trades. With the best will in the
world, extracting a one name study for the whole county (which I have
been asked for on more than one occasion) would take a day of solid
work, I havn't even had time to do it for my own names yet! They receive
a polite letter explaining why it's not practical. However if they then
ask for all the Smiths in Wolverhampton they will get a full reply. You
just have to use your own judgement, for example I have the IGI for some
midland counties at home but I don't list them as I don't have time to
type out long lists of entries, however I do often refer to them to help
folks with specific queries.
At the end of the day, do what you are comfortable with, hobbies are
meant to be enjoyed, not endured :-)

To change the subject you may be interested to know there are now 825
items listed on the county pages, a pretty staggering achievement for 3
months operation. Many thanks to all the contributors, now over 100
volunteers in all. Only 4 English counties are still blank but one of
those (Huntingdon) should be online soon.

Best wishes to all
Mike

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