How can we preserve our research for future generations? (General)
by admin 
, Forest of Dean, Sunday, June 22, 2008, 05:26 (6007 days ago)
Today, I received an email with the following query:
"As I have no children to pass on my compelete Family Tree to and I have shared with other families the information I have collected over the years, is there anyway on this website I can share it with furture researchers who may be related to it please."
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This is a subject I have thought about myself and I have not been able to come up with a satisfactory answer. I not only think about the research I have done on my own family but also about all the information that is on the Forest of Dean Web site. I have one daughter who is in her mid thirties and at this stage she has no interest at all in genealogy, maybe this will change as she gets older as I myself never really got interested to any great degree until I was in my forties.
All the Parish records we have transcribed are safe as everything we transcribe a copy is given to the Gloucestershire Archives but what will happen with all the correspondences we have have on this forum plus a multitude of other things on the site. There are of course genealogy Web sites where you can submit your own family tree in a gedcom file and have the information displayed. Though that is not going to be there for ever more and at some stage in the future it will all be gone.
How can we preserve our research for future generations?
by 10noyrum 
, Sunday, June 22, 2008, 08:17 (6007 days ago) @ admin
I think it safest to regard all current digital electronic memory as transient - it may not be readable in 10 years time. Yet, the other day I read a paper or parchment (?) Will of a putative ancestor from 1609. The conclusion: write up your family history in a paper book (I leave it to experts to recommend the best type of paper to ensure longevity). Include all the evidence supporting your conclusions. Then deposit the book in the relevant Government Record Offices (best in several Record offices to avoid loss in future by enemy action, fire etc).
How can we preserve our research for future generations?
by slowhands , proud of his ancient Dean Forest roots, Sunday, June 22, 2008, 08:30 (6007 days ago) @ 10noyrum
thats one of the dilemnas - Print it and preserve it - great for single access, or,
Store it on a digital medium - great for sharing and distribution, however "continuity" becomes the issue - how do you read that DVD in 20 years time ? ( do you still use floppy disks ?) ; what software will be around to read it ( anyone have a copy of Wordstar ?) etc etc.
If its for passing from generation to generation , a printed copy is probably best, just like the Victorian family bibles - but then how many have been lost ?
If its to preserve this "community's" efforts then a digital copy should be given to a public / not for profit custodian (or two) and lets hope that it is refreshed over time so that future users can still read it :-)
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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>