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Data vs. Trees (AKA: Work vs. Fun)                      Published Monthly
Lesson 031...                                                                                                            2018 05 01

Defining The Problem...
Data Collection can be time consuming and it takes away from our funtime of tree building!
Some people may even consider it to be a boring or unnecessary/needless task.

From a wider viewpoint, data collection may appear to have been already accomplished.
The thought that all sources are easily available comes after viewing far too few.

The belief that "all government documents are available" starts becoming all too familiar.
Being "available to the public" and "easily available" can be extremely different things.

When we finally do locate a repository willing to share documents, there may be a cost involved.
Time and space (Disk or Web) for storage with easy access to bulk data is a difficult goal.
Large scale data-aquisition may require far more dedication than was anticipated!

Recognition of these and other problems become readily apparent after "source depots" disappear!
Websites can change formats, delete data, become membership only or taken down completely!
Source Data can become lost any number of ways that we haven't strategically prepared for!


How Did That Happen?...
It sometimes begins with the innocent mis-interpretation of differences between "Source and Report".
Newcomers to genealogy are awestruck by information from trees and the info suddenly found!
If other people in their circles are also unaware, they may see this as an accurate method.

Having discovered so many ancestors, there's bound to be some that will cite or show source images.
This also wrongfully lends toward the feeling that "proof" is easy to come by in ones research.
Additionally, these images are sometimes taken as true without further questioning.

Rumors by some hobbyists who've never actually tried something also perpetuate inaccuracies.
While many government documents are "available to the public", there are stipulations.
Additionally, many townships may archive records to county or state areas.

Worst of all are those instances when known depositories suddenly become unavailable to everyone.
This is probably the largest single method of records becoming "lost" to researchers every day.
As with anything, there's usually a monetary reason behind a restriction or disappearance.


What's Been Done To Fix This?...
Few websites contain "all" that we would like in a single place, but good ones still exist!
Many small site owners pride themselves on presenting good research with source images!
Remember that they are primarily for their genealogy, but yours may be intertwined as well!

By and large, much of the daily advancement is made collectively by interested persons such as you!
While you may think of some piece of information about a loved one as seemingly small-it's not!
It's an otherwise unknown photo or document to the world and works toward advancement!

If researchers never discover anything previously unknown, they've still saved data from disapearing!
Someone will be able to add it to a larger tree at some point in time because of their efforts!
The data that you collect may even be used by your own decendants to continue!

Others choose to collect data in bulk from larger websites before losses can become an issue.
They work tirelessly and diligently gathering all that they can, as quickly as they can.
Some help to sound the alarm warning others to gather before it's too late!

Those are the major forces that we have on our side fighting against the loss of data.
Of these, you, the one sitting there reading this message are our best hope.
Because you have a genuine interest, and feel the passion.


Where Can We Find The Lost Data?...
There are still large website source information repository's available that have searchable databases.
They serve well as long as you're willing to put in your information and sometimes your time.
Beware of "user input" websites, as "anyone with a keyboard" is then a genealogist.

Library's are still free and open to the public!
There will likely be a "genealogy" or "local history" section - Ask about these!
No matter how small their section is, they can get you any book from any library within that state!

Some local "town halls" may or may not have the records you seek at their premises.
Many times records have been archived to county or state levels for better safeguards.
If traveling a distance, call ahead to confirm hours and items (Both wanted and required).

Buy data CD's...Use them with your future computers, save-share-pass the data on!
Their cost is small for the amount of records included-covering many people in an area!
Use something other other than your "C-Drive" to save data onto for backups and transfers.


What Did We Learn From This?...
Records disappear every day. It's an ongoing issue we will continually face.
More become available, but usage/distribution rights and availability are another matter.
When we think of "records disappearing", we actually mean loosing free access or availability to it.

Aquire them as fast as you can, and as many as you can.
We each choose whether to spend our time on tree building or data collection.
Future trees can be built by decendants from our data collections, but cannot be done without data.

By collecting various records from several areas, you can maximize the collection size more efficiently.
Utilize several resources all at once if you can, as-if "multi-tasking", whether online or in person!
The best opportunitys come at family get-togethers to speak with several elders at once!!

The time and space needs will be always greater than you had expected for a thorough project.
Soon seen as you become more familiar with the process of reproducing others work.
For efficiency, remember that "downloads" can be running while you sleep!

Having your own set of source documents is far better than depending on others.
Websites evolve, delete, or expire, but your own might outlast both you and your computer!
Usually the only recognisable difference between your records and theirs, is a fast-search database.


The Basic Rules...
First...
Data collection is ALWAYS the most important part of the family tree project.
Others can continue the work, but they will still need the data.

Second...
Trust no-one elses work. Do your own research. Use other trees only as a guideline.
Verify all your work against source documents, not against other trees.

Third...
Find a way to make the time and space for collecting bulk data. (CD's, Hard-Drives, Webspace)
Disc drives are becoming larger and less expensive per gigabyte on a daily basis!


As always...
What you'll choose to do with this information is up to you.
It will at least serve as a stepping stone for further knowledge.
You should be applauded for your willingness to educate yourself.

These are only basic guidelines, and can always be adjusted to suit your personal needs or budget.
Hopefully the knowledge gained here will help you to be better positioned as a family historian!

      Happy searches!!

        Massachusetts

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