Genealogy Chat

Brian I am a trained and experienced secretary, so you will probably find that any of my contributions in whatever form will contain the correct grammar and spelling, and will be accurate. I am also computer-literate and do not use 'text'-style wording whilst typing. HOWEVER, I do not think so much of myself that I can criticise the abilities of others. The main aim for all of us is to research our family trees, for ourselves and probably for our descendants; our hobby is genealogy. There are many reasons why people are unable to type or spell correctly, as well as incorrect transcriptions of old records. There are people on this site suffering from varying disabilities (including myself) who find that a home-based hobby is wonderful therapy. A bonus is that there are some lovely people on this site who help and support each other; I have made some really good friends here. Please don't be pedantic Brian - let us all enjoy our hobby without someone pointing out our inadequacies.

Brian - With you 100% on spelling place names - how many complaints do we read on this board about transcription errors in the 1901 census? If GR's search engine were more sophisticated I would not be too amused to find potential matches missed because Liverpool was spelt Liverpoll, Livverpool, L'pool or whatever. I part company on the "unknowns", missed birth year/place though, as this seems to be down to GR's system failing to read some of the fields on downloaded gedcoms. A ridiculous situation where if I'm entering a name manually I MUST complete year and place of birth, yet the system will accept names with half the fields blank if entered by way of Gedcom.

Sorry if it was me, we are only human and I do make mistakes... especially typing. My question is I have Gudgeon spelt three different ways on birth marriage and child's birth certificate, which one should I use!! I have previously used what it says on the birth certs but this doesn't match with the brothers and sisters so I am stuck ! Any advice please??Kim

Brian, I can see where you are coming from but I think, as others have reasoned in their own replies, that you are coming down a little heavy on those who do not wish to or are unable to meet your own preferred standards. None of us are perfect but I cannot accept that people who are unable to give a lot of information (they are usually very much in need of it) are telling lies. This is implicit in your use of the word "veracity". I know of some for whom the use of the word "and" to start a sentance leaves them with high blood pressure and the urge to kill! As has been said, Brian, you are entitled to an opinion so please let others have the same privilege. If you have any doubts as to authenticity then you must exercise your right to refuse to read the writings of others. Roger on a high horse!

Brian, I have a number of people of unknown name in my tree at present. They are there because they are spouses or parents of known relatives. Equally there are members of my family for whom I do not, as yet, have a place of birth. I do not, of course, expect any Gensconnected members to contact me about these unknowns, although perhaps I am related to the other 300,000 members of the unknown family! However, I have had many helpful contacts from the friendly, tolerant members of Genesconnected and am steadily finding the details to fill in those annoying gaps. I am sure that this wonderful genealogy hobby is not exclusively for those who happen to be good at spelling. We all have ancestors, regardless of our level of education and we all have a right to try to trace them. I know that some of my ancestors were unable to write at all but this did not stand in the way of them leading successful lives. Some people write in an abbreviated or informal form, or spell words in an unorthodox way. Does this really matter as long as we can understand their message. You understood what the people who wrote Kernel and Liverpoll meant didn't you? Just as I am sure you understand the variant spellings which I am sure you have come across if you are, as you say, a 'seasoned researcher'. Judith

Well said Lynda

Hi Brian I appreciate that the more information we give the better, but some details we don't even know ourselves so can't put it on. As to the spelling, punctuations and caps, well some people cannot spell for all sorts of reasons, and may not know where capital letters go. As for the text type writing, well younger people use it all the time and so do some "oldies" it's a sign of the times whether we like it or not, as long as we understand it that's fine by me. We must not put people down for their writing ability, I have had a couple of dyslexic foster children and the last thing they wanted was for people to critisise the effort they made. Lynda

No subsistute for checking things yourself, we shouldn't just be taking other peoples info as gospel and copying it onto ours,. regards JAY

It does say if you don't know the exact date, you can tick a box and it will say 'c1847'. I use this quite frequently, mostly because I get ages from censuses and have a choice of two years. If I don't know someone's name, approximate date of birth and at least the county of birth then I don't add them!

Agree with many of your comments, however, if someone is a completely new beginner to family history, it is quite reasonable to expect that they really have very little knowledge of what is required, or where to start etc. Many years ago I did not have a clue, and there was not as much help around then as now, it`s a bit like learning to drive, it`s easy when you know how!!! Please be a bit patient with "newbiesd" we ALL have to learn, and surely we can lend a hand to help others who do not have experience??

I agree with Sarah, (see my thread a little down for the reasons behind this) Penny

I am broadly in agreement with what you say, particularly in relation to spelling of names. Regarding "Unknown Smith", I believe this is just the way the GC software treats incomplete entries when a Gedcom is uploaded. I have many ?'s in my own file but haven't uploaded it. PS The last time that something like this was requested (on the General Topics Forum) it produced a torrent of vitriol.

While I appreciate your comments, and also get frustrated when trying to do a search only to come up with a list of questions marks or blanks, I also understand that total accuracy isn't always possible. I know in my own tree I have put unverified information, usually with ? after it to show that it is unverified. I know from census information, for example, that if my great-grandfather was 27 in 1901 he was born approx 1874....I don't want to leave the information out completely because it can help to have a general, if not accurate, idea of a date or a place. However there are some entries I have included where the only information I have is a name...I have no intention of leaving those out of my tree just because at the present time I can't find any additional information - I am using the tree builder on here as my own personal reference, not to help everyone else! If entries in my tree DO help other people, then that is a bonus!! Sorry if this offends, but just wanted to make the point.

As a fairly seasoned researcher can I make a plea for accuracy. Too many entries have no place name or date, and some of the spelling errors are atrocious. What's the use to anyone of an entry for 'Unknown Smith'? No place, no date. And 'Kernal' for 'Colonel'! Even today I've seen 'Liverpoll' and 'Wemberley'! And stop using text language. Names and places start with caps! All researchers know how frustrating spelling variations and errors can be, just take a look at the 1901 Census! How can you trust the veracity of any information on Genes Reunited if there are obvious errors in the entries? Your records should and must be as accurate as you can possibly get. So, as you should be with all your researches, check and check and check again, before committing to any medium. Am I the only one who feels like this? Brian