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Archiver > CUSTODIAN > 2002-01 > 1011146280


From: Patricia Anne Lord <>
Subject: Re: [CUST] Re: Father's Name
Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2002 01:58:00 +0000
References: <200201140700.g0E70P314175@lists7.rootsweb.com><3C43512A.8206928B@netscapeonline.co.uk><016101c19db5$56421fa0$8300e150@hstjw>
In-Reply-To: <016101c19db5$56421fa0$8300e150@hstjw>



>Joan Smith writes:
>
>[snip]
>>>> Whilst I am unable to see why there cannot be dedicated columns for the
>father's and mother's forename(s), and maybe Sonja and Phil can help in
>this respect <<<
>
>As you now know, you can add your own columns if you wish and this will meet
>your need. However, it is a central axiom in genealogical/archive circles
>that the raw data of a record is not _embellished_ (as it were) by the
>suppositions of the researcher. Thus, if the data you are researching does
>not show the father's or mother's forenames then these should not be
>recorded _even if you know what these are_. The danger arises in that those
>who come after you and use your research will not understand the additions
>you have made and thus misinterpret the scope of your findings.
>
>The double danger with civil registration is that the GRO Indexes are not
>_true_ records at all but finding aids originally created to assist GRO
>staff at Somerset House to refer to their own archives.
>
>Hugh Wilding
>
Hello Joan,

As a statistician (YES I know the JOKES), I agree totally with Hugh's
views on the subject of "embellished data" or altered data of any kind.

However I am the only user of the data in my copy of Custodian at
present and I trust that in the future whoever becomes the proud owner
(??) of of my computer and therefore Custodian and the data that it
contains, will be intellegent and computer literate enough to
distinquish between the inherent columns of the database and those which
I have added. Probably therefore it is my duty to try and ensure this
happens, as has been discussed on the GOONS Forum regarding the
safeguarding of "Data Assembled"

Hence I do add columns which are useful to me at this stage in my
research and which have the prefix "User....". Also I can delete the
column should it become obsolete in the future.

Hope this helps you to make up your mind

Best wishes Pat
--
Patricia Anne Lord

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