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From: Harold Henderson <>
Subject: Re: [TGF] "died young" and "d.y."
Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:19:41 -0500
References: <4DFFFC5F.8070005@seanet.com> <011201cc3034$b452a710$1cf7f530$@net><4E02007D.9080708@seanet.com>
In-Reply-To: <4E02007D.9080708@seanet.com>


Ida --

I agree with what you say. Even "no further information" is ambiguous, since
it leave open the question of what further information was actually sought
and not found, and what was not sought at all.

The BCG standards don't usually reach down to this level of detail. Others
may find more, but I would suggest that standard 39 on p. 15 of the manual,
"Reports are accurate," applies here, specifically the first bullet point
calling for "a precise . . . account of each relevant item of information
found." Neither "died young" nor "no further information" would meet that
standard without additional explanation, in my opinion.

Harold

On Wed, Jun 22, 2011 at 9:47 AM, Ida Skarson McCormick <>wrote:

> Thanks for the replies.
>
> The expression "died young" and its abbreviation "d.y." have been used
> in published family histories. What is really meant by this is "no
> further information."
>
> I can't recall how long ago I read or heard a discussion pointing out
> the hazards of using "died young" and "d.y." It has resurfaced recently
> with someone wanting to use the abbreviation "d.y." or "dy" in the date
> field of genealogy software in order to kill off people for whom the
> writer does not want to do further research.
>
> This is where the law of unintended consequences kicks in. Frequently
> people who "died young" in print resurfaced at a later time in their
> lives. A girl might marry; a boy might move away.
>
> It seems much better and more cautious to use "about" dates, "between"
> dates, "before" dates, and "after" dates along with explanatory memos
> and sources.
>
> People casually use the expression "died young" in e-mail when referring
> to a spouse or a parent who "died young." How old is "young"?
>
> The abbreviation "dy" is also used for "the younger" of 2 persons of the
> same name in Norwegian genealogy, as in "Ole Olsen, dy."
>
> If the BCG Standards address this subject, I missed it. Is there a
> discussion in print anywhere?
>
> --Ida Skarson McCormick, , Seattle
>
>
> The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive
> environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to
> professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list.
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--
Harold Henderson
Research and Writing from NW Indiana
Professional genealogy in and around Chicago -- Rockford to Fort Wayne,
Muskegon to Indianapolis
midwesternmicrohistory.blogspot.com
midwestroots.net

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