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Archiver > WIKI-GENPAGES > 2007-06 > 1182198179


From: BJ <>
Subject: Re: [WIKI-GENPAGES] Why The Need (Was Genealogy Wiki site -The Genealogy Wiki)
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007 13:22:59 -0700
References: <20070618183645.HUWX17393.aamtaout02-winn.ispmail.ntl.com@pennydesktop>
In-Reply-To: <20070618183645.HUWX17393.aamtaout02-winn.ispmail.ntl.com@pennydesktop>


I agree with Familytwigs about the potential for Wikis. You say that
you want something that will bring things together. I think Wikis are
the way to do it once it becomes easier. If it only becomes another
collection of GEDCOM files, then it adds nothing new; however, if
individuals begin cooperating and adding to the global family, it brings
things together.

The problem with the trees on Ancestry and to a certain extent Rootsweb
is the fact that the information gets old and outdated with no one
correcting erroneous data. Let's say that two or three researchers find
each other on a wiki genealogy data base. They have conflicting
information for some individuals and complimentary information on
others. Working together on a Wiki family tree, they can present all of
the information in one place. They can offer supporting documentation
or evidence to support their information. Perhaps they can resolve
their differences removing the erroneous information. Adding the
complimentary information portrays a more complete picture of the
individual. Unfortunately, what will kill the Wiki genealogy is someone
claiming they own the data and rather it being a cooperative effort it
becomes small dictatorships trying to control the input and the
displayed data. Let's look as a possible scenario. All families have
some hidden secrets that they don't like being known or made public.
One individual feels the information accurately portrays the individual,
his/her life and wants it included. Another contributor keeps removing
the information leading to confrontation and perhaps eventual removal of
the information which was helping others.

My hope is the only restriction is on publishing information (names,
dates of birth, family relationships) of living individuals. Perhaps
the potential for data harvesting for criminal purposes is small - the
possibility is still there and so the names of living individuals should
not be published.

BJ

Penelope Blake wrote:
> I`m going to throw a little petrol on the fire here and hopefully come up
> with a lively debate.
>
> While its great to have another Genealogy resource, does this offer anything
> new?
>
> We have Ancestry, Rootsweb, Genes Reunited to name a few, plus many many
> have their genealogy posted on the web somewhere. Personally I have my tree
> posted on about 4 different sites and its getting a pain to keep it all
> updated. Do we need another? I personally think we need something that will
> bring all these resources together.

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