APG-L Archives

Archiver > APG > 2000-07 > 0964651771


From: "mavrogeorge" <>
Subject: RE: [APG] Privacy & Lineage Societies
Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2000 15:49:31 -0700


<grouch mode on>

I actually think that the "too far" should refer to people
who in my opinion pursue misguided attempts to make
everything private. Sort of as if everything should be
public so I can complete my genealogical research but once
completed it should be private so noone else can have access
to the information.

And I, as Myra does, think they are very unaware of how much
information is freely available in all sorts of forums. Not
long ago a daughter of a deceased relative sent me a
registered letter demanding that I remove "social security
information" about her parents from my website. And
demanding to know what right I had to invade her right of
privacy.

As it turned out the "social security information" she
referred to was the month and year of birth that I had
footnoted as having come from her parents' applications for
Social Security. She was blissfully unaware that her sibling
was the one who had given me the information.

In the case of the deceased, the decision is easy. The dead
have no right to privacy.

In the case of the living,
- I do not believe I have a right to prevent anyone from
using information about me that exists in the public
records.
- I do not believe I have a right to prevent anyone from
using information about me that they know from direct
knowledge.
- I do not believe I have a right to prevent anyone from
using information about me that they gather from others.
- I believe that the laws of slander and libel do apply and
I can seek redress for that.

Now seeing my personal information published somewhere might
make me -very- angry and upset. I might feel very strongly
that the author has violated my -personal sense- of privacy.
That -DOES NOT- however translate into a successful claim to
a "right to privacy".
And I will be frank, I find it absurd that someone who
submits lineage information on a form that clearly states
the information is to be released to another agency now
believes that that release violated their privacy.

In this age of everyone claiming to be a "victim" of one
thing or another and asserting their "rights" to all sorts
of things, there is a need for people to step back and
little and consider the difference between things
others -wish- to happen and those they
have a -right- to expect.

I may want privacy and can take steps to in that regard.
I do not have an absolute right to privacy.


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Pam Hall [mailto:]
> Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2000 3:01 PM
> To:
> Subject: Re: [APG] Privacy & Lineage Societies
>
>
> Hi Connie:
>
> FSGS did have a statement on their application
> that the applicant's copy
> would go to the Archives. However, the Board felt
> that this was not
> clearly understood and frankly, I don't think
> many people understand
> what an Archives does.
>
> The pioneer applications contain actual copies of
> their birth, marriage,
> death & Social security records.
>
> Recently, I heard that someone published a
> "genealogy" book and he
> published no dates. Is that going too far?
>
> Pam
>
> Connie Bradbury wrote:
> >
> > Pam:
> >
> > I'm more interested in other's responses to
> your question than I am
> > qualified to make any comments. I do have one
> question tho.
> >
> > If the living people have given or will give
> their permission for their
> > information to be made public, would that solve
> the problem? My family
> > appears in a published and widely distributed
> genealogy. We gave permission
> > by submitting that information knowing full
> well the compiler was going to
> > publish a book. What information is in the
> Pioneer Records you refer to
> > that would be objectionable to the living people?
> >
> > Most the time I find people objecting to
> finding "absolute truths" about
> > their ancestors in published records. <VBG>
> >
> > Connie
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Pam Hall <>
> > To: <>
> > Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2000 9:56 AM
> > Subject: [APG] Privacy & Lineage Societies
> >
> > > Dear members of APG:
> > >
> > > I would like to hear from anyone who has had
> similar problems that I am
> > > having to encounter this month.
> > >
> > > To explain briefly, I am the new president of
> the Florida State
> > > Genealogical Society. Two weeks ago, our
> Pioneer Committee resigned on
> > > issues of privacy. There are too many
> background details to put here.
> > > However, I did post a statement as of July 22
> in reply to false and
> > > unfounded accusations by the committee. I
> have the full support of my
> > > board. http://www.rootsweb.com/~flsgs/fpdc.htm
> > >
> > > The real issue is the privacy of our pioneer
> records. They have been
> > > microfilmed and are available in Salt Lake
> City. However, there are
> > > records of living persons on the film and in
> the files that can be
> > > viewed at the Florida State Archives. I know
> the DAR and other
> > > organizations has had to confront this issue.
> > >
> > > To make this more complicated, I have
> discovered that the committee has
> > > not adhered to good documentation and
> procedures. Yes, that is right
> > > there are numerous lineage applications that
> never should have been
> > > approved because they do not have proof of
> relationship.
> > >
> > > After you read my statement, I know you will
> have some questions and I
> > > would love to receive advice and suggestions.
> I feel that I am caught on
> > > the fence and I know I won't be able to
> please both sides. I am sure the
> > > law is going to have to dictate the Board's decision.
> > >
> > > Thank you.
> > >
> > > Pam
> > > FSGS President
> > > --
> > > Pamela J. (Hall) Cooper
> > > Florida History & Genealogy Department
> > > Indian River County Main Library
> > > 1600 21st Street
> > > Vero Beach, FL 32960
> > >
> > > 561-770-5060 561-770-5066 Fax
> > > Email: or
> > >
> > > Web sites:
> > > Indian River County Local History:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~flindian/
> > Indian River County Genealogy Department:
> > http://www.rootsweb.com/~flindian/ircl/
> > Indian River County Main Library:
http://www.indian-river.lib.fl.us/
> > Indian River Genealogical Society:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~flindigs/
> >
> >

--
Pamela J. (Hall) Cooper
Florida History & Genealogy Department
Indian River County Main Library
1600 21st Street
Vero Beach, FL 32960

561-770-5060 561-770-5066 Fax
Email:

Web sites:
Indian River County Local History:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~flindian/
Indian River County Genealogy Department:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~flindian/ircl/
Indian River County Main Library:
http://www.indian-river.lib.fl.us/
Indian River Genealogical Society:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~flindig

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