The Internet can help find that long lost cousin by using
the available online telephone directories, genealogical Web sites,
and public records. It is a great information tool. A genealogist can
consult with newsgroups and surf the many Web sites for clues. What
it cannot do is provide the perfectly researched and verified family
history in one convenient Web page. Be critical and cautious when
selecting information and/or products from cyberspace.
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Authenticity/credentials
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Note the author, publisher, or producer
of the web page.
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- Is there any information about the
author/company?
- Are the person’s or organization’s
credential’s provided?
- If it is someone’s family history
page, do they document or provide proof of their claims?
[e.g. scanned images of land records, etc.]
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Contact information
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Is an email address or phone and address
available for direct contact?
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Maintenance, stability, currency
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Is the web page updated frequently? Are
there any broken links?
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- Is a date of last revision
posted?
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Reviews
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Has the site been rated or reviewed? Is
this information available at the web site?
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- Has anyone, e.g. a genealogical group
reviewed the web site?
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Note the domain name
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.com
.org
.edu
.net
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- Is a commercial site interested in
selling a product?
- Is it an organization that has a
reputation of conducting sound genealogical research or
providing e.g. good book titles?
- Note that not all .edu extentions are
affiliated with accredited colleges/universities. It
could also be someone’s personal web page at a
university.
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Issues to consider
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Do the math!
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Could the son possibly be married 11 years after the
father was born?
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Remember to verify, verify, verify. You cannot assume
that others have verified names, dates, and records, just
because it is on the Web. Be critical of the information you
find in cyberspace.
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Consumer advocacy group
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Advises the genealogical web surfer about e.g.
credentials of a professional genealogist. What are the
important issues to consider before hiring a certified
genealogist to conduct your research?
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Warns genealogist/consumer about scams such as coat of
arms companies.
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