TNCOCKE-L Archives

From: O Eugene Queen <>
Subject: [TNCOCKE] Copyright Violations & Human Weaknesses
Date: Wed, 11 Aug 1999 18:25:46 -0400

Hi Carolyn and List,

I read with interest Carolyn's comments addressing the improper use and
outright theft of data researched and compiled by hard-working family
researchers.

I do not know the extent of Carolyn's research, i.e. the years of work
and costs incurred in travel, motel expenses, etc. For that matter,
neither do I know how many thousands of dollars and hundreds, if not
thousands, of hours others on this list have devoted to research. I do
know that for over twenty years I have spent more dollars and more hours
on this hobby of mine than I can count.

As for me, I shall not criticize in any way those who have invested a
significant amount of money and hours in searching through dusty
courthouse records, pushing through weeds and briars in cemeteries,
placing phone calls throughout the country, writing letters by the
dozens, visiting relatives and acquaintances of relatives with pen,
paper and tape recorder in hand, and those hundred and one things which
a real researcher ABSOLUTELY MUST do to get to the source of data.

If the researcher wishes to share that data, not just with the elite who
have omputers and internet connections, but with all folks....then the
data must be printed in book form and made available to libraries and
individuals willing to share the cost of printing (by purchasing a copy
of the book at cost).

Been there and done that...as the current saying goes. Never did
recover my printing and mailing costs, let alone any research costs, but
then I never expected to do so. However, I probably would not have been
able to even have the book printed if its contents were already spread
over the cornfields and wheat fields around the country (not many PC's
and Web Pages in '82).

So, my heart goes out to those researchers whose works are being
stolen....and especially to those who will never have the chance to read
the histories and stories which can never be written, simply because of
some thief who pretends to be so unselfish and kind by posting someone
else's research data on THEIR web page or writing it on some CD to
sell...not at cost, but at a profit.

Tomorrow I will be driving another 5-600 miles and spending another day
researching records in a courthouse. I will be doing it for the love of
"family" and the love of research. Hopefully, it will some day be
included in a new book...available to all who purchase a copy...at
cost... or visit a library in one of a number of counties. It will not
be posted on a Web Page, unless some thief does so AFTER the book is
printed!

My Queen ancestor spent about 12 years in Cocke County, from about 1840
to 1852. Am willing to share pertinent data with any Queen researcher
who links to my family line. This ancestor was Alfred Queen, b. ca 1810
in N. C., traveled to Cocke County, then returned to N.C.

My best to all honorable researchers.

Gene

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• [TNCOCKE] Copyright Violations & Human Weaknesses by O Eugene Queen <>