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Archiver > ROOTS > 2009-03 > 1236832206


From: Dee Ziegler <>
Subject: Re: [ROOTS-L] Preserving information after one's death
Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:30:06 -0400
References: <861572.37697.qm@web45802.mail.sp1.yahoo.com><003501c9a261$fdf6ff00$300ac04a@Cecelia><031120092021.19366.49B81D600005FD9700004BA622230647629B0A02D2089B9A019C04040A0DBF04040A990B9D0E0C0409@att.net><035401c9a290$077135e0$0301a8c0@m1070n>
In-Reply-To: <035401c9a290$077135e0$0301a8c0@m1070n>


Margaret Scheffler's post is "words to the wise" among us, I think. I
like her choice to limit gedcoms of her material -- so that if someone
wants my data, they have to copy it and input it, rather than taking
it in one swell foop. Thanks, Margaret!

One problem for most of us is, we want to post and/or print a
"finished" and polished family tree. I'm beginning to accept that I
will never accomplish that, and I need to do an imperfect, draft
version of what I have -- and soon. I'm working on it. Cheers, Dolly
in Maryland
==============

On Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 5:26 PM, MScheffler <> wrote:
>    This topic comes up every so often on the Roots mailing list.
>
>    First of all, we cannot assume that anyone will preserve and pass on our
> information after our deaths.  One could even have left instructions in
> their will, and material thrown out by well meaning family members as they
> cleaned out the deceased person's home long before the will was probated.
>
>    Secondly, we should not expect or assume that our children or other
> relatives will want to preserve our hobby.  Not everyone is interested in
> this hobby that many of us find so enjoyable.  Certainly no one is going to
> want to sort through my file cabinets full of documents and photocopies.
>
>    We should preserve and pass on our own research in our own life time.
> We can publish a book or books and distribute to libraries in our area and
> in areas where our ancestors lived as well as hand out copies to potentially
> interested relatives.  Just handing out info on cd or book does not mean
> that it won't get lost, however.  We need to find various places to place
> our hard work to ensure the likelihood it will survive us.
>
>    I have personally chosen to put my entire database with notes and
> sources on Rootsweb's World Connect -- minus the living people.  That way,
> if I never get my work distributed in other forms, it will still be there
> for others to find.  I have also contributed to a published genealogy of one
> of my lines, and bought copies of the book which I donated to several
> libraries.
>
>    The one drawback to my WorldConnect approach is that if one does not
> limit gedcom downloads (which I do), others may copy one's entire database
> and merge it with their own, then repost it online.  That type of occurrence
> can make it hard to limit the spread of errors that I may have made.  Some
> don't want to make their work public until they can publish and for which
> they expect that perhaps money is to be made.  Usually it costs a lot to
> publish rather than one getting anything back.
>
>    Anyway, my recommendation is to share as one uncovers new material.
> Don't wait for someone else to do it.  A posting of one's gedcom online is a
> fairly quick and easy way to do this.  As one learns more information on
> their various families replace the gedcom.
>
> Margaret Scheffler

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