WRIGHT-L Archives
Archiver > WRIGHT > 1996-09 > 0842884822
From: <>
Subject: Fwd: a special project for WRIGHT Researchers
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 1996 07:40:22 -0700
I wanted to share this idea with everyone and see what the reaction would
be. Another family mailing list I belong to came up with this "project" in
late July and implemented in August. It sounds like a good idea to me and I
did participate in the "BEATY 2000" project.
It is a long-range plan but contributions to it (if it is implemented) are
passed on to members once a month.
It is rather lengthy, but I think it is worth reading and giving some
thought to.
Would appreciate your feelings about perhaps doing something like this for
the WRIGHT family name.
Jerry Wright Jordan
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Dear Beatty Family,
Several of us have organized ****BEATTY PROJECT 2000****
which is an attempt to enhance the research on our Beatty family. The
Project will identify and implement specific research projects to further
our knowledge about the family. The scope of our work will depend upon
how many of us are involved. Our minimal goal is to identify most members
of the family within the next four years.
Your participation and ideas are very much needed. If you have interest in
something not listed below write me and we can possibly add it to the
project. About the only thing written in granite at this time is that all
activities will professionally attempt to separate "fact" from "possible
fact"
from "fiction". These are three categories that genealogical "research"
often confuses. Family lore is absolutely fascinating, but until it has
been
"proven" it is simply that....folklore.
If you are interested please read the following carefully. At the end I
have asked for your specific actions. For the time being, we will
communicate on this discussion group or in one-to-one messages.
We are looking into the establishment of a Web page with all of its
advantages, but that is in the future and should not delay the project.
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*********************B E A T T Y P R O J E C T 2 0 0
0***********************
The BEATTY PROJECT 2000 is devoted to enhancing the genealogical
and historical research on the Beatty family. We use the spelling,BEATTY,
since it is one of the more common variations, although no variation is
excluded from our activities. Variations within the same branch have been
documented and often are insignificant, especially during periods in the
past when illiteracy was higher than today and when spelling was less
standardized. Often in the past, things were spelled as they were heard.
Most of our many spelling variations are really representations of two
pronunciations: 'Baytee and 'Beetee (or in International Phonetic
Alphabet: [beti] & [biti]. Has anyone heard Bay'ahtee or any other
variation? We use the BEATTY variation in all our communications and
documents unless we are referring to a specific person who used a
different variation.
Finally, some of you may select not to participate. You still can take
advantage of our Beatty Discussion Group location.
P R O J E C T A C T I V I T
I E S
I. MASTER FILE
Although an actual Master File may be in our future (The Penrose
family now has a 250 page descendant chart!), we are starting with
a list of the "unconnected" Beatty Lineages. We are keeping on file
centrally a paragraph description of each Lineage submitted. The
submitter maintains the file on the line and will answer queries
on the line. To receive a copy of the Beatty Master File Lineages
Archive you must submit the paragraph on your line. If you select
not to answer queries on the line, then you must file a more detailed
descendant chart on the line so that someone else can answer the
queries. (Details on what you should do follow this document).
Your known line may be as limited as one generation or even one
person. In that case, we won't list it as one of BMFL (all are two or
more generations) but your information is valuable to other
activities in our Project. Also, we have initiated the following
Archives and Files and depending upon how many of you volunteer
we will be shortly offering these to Project 2000 members. We have
them divided up into Marriage, Immigration, Military, etc. categories
to make them more manageable and useful to members.
II. EXISTENCE VALIDATION ARCHIVES
A. EXISTENCE VALIDATION ARCHIVE (EVA)
This database will list all individuals with the Beatty surname
who have been "proven" by being listed in a primary official
source: wills; tombstone engraving; birth, marriage, death
certificates; court records; government records, prison records,
hospital records, We and future researchers can be sure that
the
names in this file were for actual persons in the actual
locations in the actual time period listed. Initially, we
are processing data to
1850.
We will expand the time period as we progress. Thus far, the
1700s
has been emphasized. At this point we do not have the resources
to collect the documentation in one central location. Submitters
will maintain the documentation and we will rely on their
integrity. Falsification of information (which has occurred with
DAR appliciations in the past) will result in exclusion from our
project. If anyone knows of any Beatty Foundation that would
like
to endow this project we could consider a central location for
all of our archive documentation. $7-8M should do it.
B. EXISTENCE VALIDATION ARCHIVE-CANDIDATES FILE (EVA-C)
This database is for individuals who do not have the above docu-
mentation. Family trees, local and county histories and other
secondary sources may identify individuals for this file. Of
course,
the great majority of individuals merely listed in family trees,
family bibles, local and county histories, etc. did actually
exist-
so this file will prove useful to researchers. Again, we are
initially
processing data to 1850.
C. MILITARY VALIDATION ARCHIVE (MVA)
This database was initiated in an attempt to validate every
member
of the family who served in the American Revolutionary War (both
sides). Finding a wealth of genealogical data in the pension
and
other war documents, we decided to expand this archive to
include
all wars in all countries to 1850. Like the EVA above we will
later
expand the time period. Also, like the EVA, this archive
requires
official documentation. Grandma saying that her grandfather
served in the Crimean War doesn't do it. Government records,
pension applications and records, tombstones in battlefield
areas,
etc. do document.
D. MILITARY VALIDATION ARCHIVE-CANDIDATES FILE (MVA-C)
For individuals who do not have the documentation described in
C above.
E. IMMIGRATION VALIDATION ARCHIVE
For individuals who migrated from one country to another
country in any time period. Documentation includes passenger
logs, naturalization records, and other official records. The
UK
had a policy of sending "convicted individuals" and orphans to
Australia---these records would qualify.
F. IMMIGRATION VALIDATION ARCHIVE-CANDIDATES FILE (IVA-C)
You get the point.
G. MARRIAGE VALIDATION ARCHIVE
For all individuals who obtained "legal" certification of their
conjugal relationship with another individual. Church records,
marriage certificates, and other government records document.
H. MARRIAGE VALIDATION ARCHIVE-CANDIDATES
Grandma said they were married....but.....
Some have stated that the Military, Immigration, and Marriage
Archives are simply part of the EVA and therefore why have them
as separate. First, until we get the right software for the EVA so we
can sort and organize the data more efficiently, "manageability" is
a major reason for the separate files--when we have the system where
we can click the old cursor and immediately pull out all the military
records from the EVA then we can look at this question again. Also,
with different individuals managing and "certifying" the separate
files we are spreading the work load so one person doesn't have to
do it all. The various managers will be intimately familiar with their
specific archive....and I am sure there will be some good ideas that
will spring from that intimacy. Having the separate marriage archive
will also allow some concentration on the spouses of our Beattys
which may provide us additional clues in our research.
Other ideas have been suggested such as Non-Caucasion Existence
Validation Archive (Native Americans, Afro-Americans, etc.),
maintaining separate files for different countries, etc. These are all
possibilities to consider if we get the volunteers.
III. OTHER PROJECT ACTIVITIES
A. RESEARCH ASSISTANCE FILE
This file maintains a list of individuals who own documents
they are willing to share or research for members of the
project. Other specific Beatty research information is
maintained here.
B. GENERAL FAMILY HISTORY ARCHIVES
This file maintains source material and bibliographical
data on historical information of relevance to the family's
history. The "plantation" from England and Scotland
to Ireland and the "Scots-Irish" migration to North America
and
elsewhere are examples of historical events that involved
members of our family.
IV. PROJECT PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES
A. Each of the above archives and files has an ARCHIVE MANAGER
who maintains the file, receives data, responds to queries, etc
An ASSOCIATE will also work with the MANAGER to insure
that there is always a copy of all file information in a second
location. The MANAGER and the ASSOCIATE will be able to
work out their own procedures, communications, etc...
B. Queries from a Project member can obtain a copy of the file.
Then if there is someone in the file who is of further
interest,
the member can request the documentation on that individual.
The entire file including documentation will not be available
and will not be "published."
C. All members agree not to share their copy of the file with
non-members.
D. A COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER will process member
information so we may all communicate in the most efficient
manner. The CM will also explore other options for us such
as establishing a WEB page, standarization of software
for file maintenance, etc..
E. The MASTER FILE MANAGER, The ARCHIVE MANAGERS and
ASSOCIATES, the FAMILY HISTORY ARCHIVES MANAGER, the
RESEARCH ASSISTANCE FILE MANAGER, the COMMUNICATIONS
MANAGER AND the PROJECT DIRECTOR will make decisions on
suggestions from the Project members. Major issues that
might
arise in the future such as filing our information with LDS,
publishing the information, etc...will be decided by a
majority
vote of the Project members.
F. All submitters of data will be recorded and recognized
appropriately. All you researchers out there are the real
key to this project
V. PROJECT MEMBERSHIP
A. Membership in Beatty Project 2000 is open to all Beatty family
descendants, spouses and parents of descendants (yes, the
father of grandma's first child born out of wedlock is
elgible),
and all who legally have the Beatty surname. To become a
member any such individual should submit a paragraph
(try to make it 8 lines maximum) describing their Beatty
line. Also during each year, members should occasionally
submit research information to one of our archives.
B. The professional genealogist who is researching the Beatty
family for fee-paying clients is not welcomed in this
Project.
We believe that the Project has a lot of potential. Just from our initial
activities we have connected three previously "unconnected" Beatty
lines. In addition to what each of us can personally glean from the
Project, we will have in place a great deal of substantial information
that will help the next generation of family researchers.
We need your participation....your ideas, skills, and your information.
See the following separate message on submitting your line to the
Master File which will qualify you as a member. Over 30 lines are
already on file--yours may be in the list. Any comments, etc. write
me---Ray Beaty
Thank you....and we sincerely hope you will join the BEATTY PROJECT
2000.
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Raymond C. Beaty
Riverdale, New York
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