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From: "Robert S. Ireland" <>
Subject: In defense of a Professor
Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2005 19:55:14 -0400


In defense of Neil Keddy and his postings to the site, not that he really
needs it, he is our resident Professor, implicit and implied. He and a
handful of others are a rare gift and it the word Profess ever found a true
practitioner is would be he. Not as a job or means of exacting tribute or
financial gain, but to passionately disseminate that material in printed
text, which does cost and in his musings at this site. I for one laude him
and turn my eye blind believing the spirit of the rules are being applied,
rather than the letters and there is a huge distinction between the two when
it comes to this case. Personally, I wouldn't care one iota if he did print
his entire list here from time to time. His works are of unequivocable help
in referencing the archaic system of archiving at the Hall of Records in
Maryland and in making those holdings and those of other repositories in
this local environment available to ALL of us and in a form that doesn't
require endless and redundant searching. Alone his musings here are worth
his charging or being remunerated at the secondary scholl level on the
campus of Chesapeake College. To have him in my home, our homes and at no
cost to a one of us is a true blessing. Certainly many of us feel every bit
the same way.

Consider just this. Neil is not selling wares that don't affect all of
researching the DELMARVA, through certain historical periods, geographic
regions and cultural divides. That is he is not selling his family history
and none other. Rather, he is selling something that actually benefits the
nature of this site and its members as a whole group ...all inclusive and
then some, and then really some.

As with many here who remember his grand ole shoppe in Easton, Talbot Co.,
MD I was saddened to see him go. I didn't use him often (hindsight kicks me
hard with that one), but felt a certain comfort at knowing he was a
fixtureon Goldsboro street where I would often build my courage with a wind
up cup of java at Coffee East and then saunter down the sidewalk a few feet
down on the same side and non-challantly wander off street in through his
door. Once inside I would peruse through his holdings, all the while
gathering info and plotting my qureies to him. Once around the shop I would
siddle to his desk, where ole Neil was hard away at transcriptions. Ah, a
work in progress I always witnessed him diligently at. He always gave me the
moment I took from him and answered my simple queries in ways more
informative than sometimes I felt myself worthy of. Thanks Neil and I will
refrain from emptying any volley your way Ms. Ellen. On the Shore, we are
southern and as such gentlemen to the core as I am sure you are a lady.
Please have a better night, we wish it to you.

Sincerely,
Bob Ireland
Denton, Caroline Co., MD
Site Admin: IRELAND Surname Genealogy Site (ISGS)
Proj. Admin: IRELAND Surname 25-marker y-DNA Project (FTDNA)

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