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From: "Tony Hoskins" <>
Subject: Re: An encomium for genealogy
Date: Wed, 05 Jan 2005 17:51:03 -0800


>>One of the big distinctions between a self-trained genealogist and an
academically-trained historian is the tendency that the former has to be
over-precise and over-emphatic. The past has an infinity of meaning,
which historians as scientists try and package into hypothesis.

Excellent, and opportunely, said. Such an important point. Subtleties,
nuance, interpretation, ambiguity are too frequently avoided by
genealogists, insisting on finality, closure, certitude -
characteristics in genealogy as in " real life" so often elusive and
rare.

Anthony Hoskins
History, Genealogy and Archives Librarian
History and Genealogy Library
Sonoma County Library
3rd and E Streets
Santa Rosa, California 95404

707/545-0831, ext. 562

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