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Archiver > TMG > 2000-04 > 0954850166


From:
Subject: TMG-L: Re: Sources - are we losing our way?
Date: Tue, 4 Apr 2000 08:09:26 EDT


Hello Everybody

My name is Brian Davey from Morecambe, Lancashire UK. This is my first
message to the list after a spell of lurking.

I am concerned that some people seem to be getting so bogged down with
sources that the main purpose of the exercise seems to be getting lost. Does
it really matter that I got a date of death for somebody from Auntie Elsie,
which may or may not be accurate? Do I really have to write down Auntie Elsie
as the source and wonder whether I should also involve Uncle Fred who might
have given the information to Auntie Elsie?

As far as I am concerned I now have a clue from Auntie Elsie as to the
possible date of death. Now I know what I must do - I must go to the
relevant primary source, the death certificate, the will, the burial
register, whatever is available to me. If I cannot find that primary source I
must record what I DO know (from Aunt Elsie), but the date of death will
remain suspect and dependant on a check of the primary source by me or my
reader some time in the future, just as it would have done if I cited Auntie
Elsie and Uncle Fred and a whole list of others. So why bother with these
mental contortions at all. The only proof is the official proof, which may
itself be wrong, but is the best we can get. What Auntie Elsie told me
doesn't matter to anybody. What is anybody else going to do with the
information that it was she who gave me the date of death? It's pointless.

I know this may cause shockwaves for some of you, but I just don't see the
point. Does anybody else agree with me?

FWIW I think TMG is by far the best program I have used and this list is
excellent and most helpful, but I do worry about this preoccupation with
irrelevant sources.

I intend no offence to anybody, but I just wonder if I am alone on this.

Best wishes BRIAN DAVEY.
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