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Archiver > SOUTH-AFRICA > 1998-05 > 0894135908


From: "mystic" <>
Subject: Re: Searchable Database of South African research
Date: Sat, 2 May 1998 12:05:08 -0700


Delia, I like your idea, I live in the USA, but I have been searching for my
grgrgrandfather Mr.Mikkola who left Finland and went to Africa to work in
diamond mines, and there are no places to do any searches or to do any
lookups for family. So it's like I hit a brick wall, it would be nice to
have a data base so every one could do their own research without having to
ask other people to do it for them. Just my opinion.
Jody Farmer

-----Original Message-----
From: Delia Robertson <>
To: <>
Date: Saturday, May 02, 1998 2:45 AM
Subject: Searchable Database of South African research

>Hello All:
>
>I would like to throw an idea into this bubbly pot - and if this is
>already an old debate in other forums and of which I am unaware, I offer
>my apologies.
>
>Probably like most of you I have a few things that frustrate me as a
>researcher. One of them is that most of the discussion lists, available
>data and information about genealogy on the net lean very heavily to
>American researcher's interests and needs. There are obvious reasons
>for this. I am generalizing and I hope this will not provoke a debate
>about generalizations, nationalism and xenophobia because I speak here
>only of practical realities and my intentions are positive.
>
>Another frustration to me is how difficult it is for full time workers
>in South Africa to conduct private research because opportunities to use
>research facilities during hours convenient to them are so few.
>
>I think we're going to be whistling in the wind for a long, long time if
>we sit around waiting for things to change and I am suggesting that we
>may be in a position to do something about our particular research
>interest ourselves.
>
>My suggestion is an on-line (and on-site) searchable database made up of
>our research - - - and things like the captured cemetries data and so
>on. It would likely have to be a pay-for-view and
>pay-a-bit-more-for-download or hard copy type of service to cover costs
>of maintaining the database and perhaps to reimburse the copyright
>holder (us) a little as well.
>
>I know there are literally thousands of South African genealogists out
>there and I'm guessing that by now many, if not most, are using
>computers for record keeping and many of them could be reached through
>the GSSA. Others could perhaps be reached by leaving notices at
>libraries and research facilities.
>
>I'm one of those researchers who happily share my results providing its
>with someone who will credit me and demonstrate an understanding of its
>value and worth - and I don't mean monetary. I would suggest that most
>genealogists do have that kind of integrity. My view is that having
>gone to all that work, its value increases each time somebody benefits
>from it. On the other hand, I don't have any arguments with people who
>feel their work is their own and prefer to keep it that way.
>
>I have heard that the genealogy research group at the University of Port
>Elizabeth has a plan to get every South African into their database! I
>don't know if I have been correctly informed but to me that sounds just
>a little big brotherish and also quite ambitious. I am also told the
>program they use is one they developed themselves and is not
>interchangeable with other programs using GEDCOM. Again, I apologize if
>I am misinformed. In any event, this project would not be "owned" by
>those most interested and I have not heard of any plan to go on-line or
>allow on-site research.
>
>My feeling is that any searchable database of the work of South African
>genealogists (and their cousins who are researching South Africans from
>afar) would best be managed by the Genealogy Society of South Africa
>(GSSA) as opposed to the Genealogy Institute of South Africa (GISA) or
>any other organization.
>
>This is simply because it would allow the researchers, many of whom are
>GSSA members, to themselves have a much greater voice and input into the
>project - and also greater control through their own branches. And I
>would again suggest that if any project of this nature were undertaken
>researchers would feel a lot more comfortable about passing on their
>work if they could influence decisions taken about it through their vote
>at branch level. It might even be possible to give every contributor a
>direct vote on matters relating specifically to the project.
>
>It is not possible to become an individual member of GISA and while GSSA
>is represented on the board of GISA - they are only one voice out of
>seven which leaves their members very far removed from any decisions
>taken by GISA.
>
>My view is that to be successful and win wide support a project of this
>nature would have to be a kind of "people's project" in which those
>participating have the maximum possible say.
>
>This is a broad suggestion and does not begin to address all the
>possible ramifications of such a project, and I know there are many,
>including such matters as intellectural property rights, accessibility,
>fairness, and so on.
>
>I hope in offering this idea up for debate and discussion I have not
>stepped on any toes, or tread on any hallowed ground. My motivation is
>simply to seek ways to expand the research opportunities available to us
>and to do something really wonderful for future generations researching
>South African genealogy.
>
>Regards. Delia.
>

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