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Archiver > TMG > 2011-03 > 1300829825


From: "Darrell A. Martin" <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Citing Poor Sources - Was: Re: Name changes in narratives
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:37:13 -0500
References: <00DF3F3503160B281884009012@Judy-PC><AANLkTimaYzr3sGODE=sUmY=U4GKa3WriMx1oexr79b8j@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <AANLkTimaYzr3sGODE=sUmY=U4GKa3WriMx1oexr79b8j@mail.gmail.com>


On 3/22/2011 2:30 PM, Carol Anne wrote:
> I have myself as a source. Sometimes I know about family funerals,
> marriages, etc. because I was there, and if the person is not in my
> direct line, it's not important enough for me to send for a document
> as proof.
>
> Carol Anne

Carol Anne:

There is no reason why *actual* personal knowledge should be considered
a "poor source". Sometimes it is the best source of all.

My discussion has focused on situations where I do *NOT* have any real
personal knowledge, but instead have tried to make sense out of material
that does not (in my personal opinion) qualify as documentation:
garbled stories, self-contradictory legends, myths mixed with reality in
unknown proportions, and outright fabrications with perhaps a kernel of
truth -- all without any traceability.

Darrell


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