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Archiver > APG > 2003-11 > 1070252425


From: "Jerry Fitzpatrick" <>
Subject: RE: [APG] Genealogical Theory (inc. Schools, Academics, etc.)
Date: Sun, 30 Nov 2003 22:21:54 -0600
In-Reply-To: <00de01c3b7bc$5a501c00$16763e44@win2000a141573>


Thanks Elizabeth. I agree that ProGen is a big step in the direction of
genealogical theory. In fact, I've studied several chapters to help me
understand some of the shortcomings I perceive in the GENTECH model.
Even though I admire the knowledge embodied in ProGen, in some areas it
is still more philosophical than quantitative (an observation, not a
complaint <g>).

---
Jerry Fitzpatrick
Software Renovation Corporation

http://www.SoftwareRenovation.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Mills [mailto:]
Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2003 9:36 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [APG] Genealogical Theory (inc. Schools, Academics, etc.)

Jerry, you've succinctly summed up both our situation and our prospects.
One thing surprises me, though. You're rightly pessimistic about the
ability
of genealogy to make academic in-roads until it defines its
"theoretical"
base, and you cite the GENTECH Model, with its definitions of some
genealogical terms, as a partial step toward providing "theory."

Admittedly, I am unabashedly and unapologetically biased <g>, but it
seems
to me that the mammoth ProGen--with its many chapters on standards,
evidence
analysis, processes, and principles -- provides a fundamental base of
genealogical theory. (We just couched it in readable language, as
opposed to
some tomes in other fields <vbg>.) Yes, we need more monographs that
probe
individual subjects in more depth. But we *have* made progress toward
that
goal.

Incidentally, if I don't respond to further postings on the subject,
it's
not for lack of interest. Starting tomorrow, I will be "out of touch"
for a
while.

Elizabeth

---------
Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG
Author, *Evidence! Citation & Analysis for the Family Historian*
Editor/Author, *Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers,
Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians*



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