Time to Pop a Cap in the Term "Drive-by Genealogist"

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Today Iread an article about “drive-by genealogists.” Apparently this is a label now.
My issueisn’t necessarily with this article in particular; it’s the message in it thatI keep seeing. This piece just happened to be the last place I saw it.
There’sa baffling backlash toward those just discovering their interest in familyhistory. I don’t believe anyone is anti-newbie, but there’s this bizarreassumption that their first efforts are automatically flawed.Beginnersare barely in the door of the Church of Genealogy and we have people tellingthem they’re not good enough to be here.
Naturally,I have a few things to say about this:
Everyone was once new……andsometimes the more established genealogists forget that. My home base is theClayton Genealogy Library in Houston. I often watch people come through thosedoors for the first time. It’s a big place. It’s scary to those who don’tfrequent libraries. Some folks may even feel like they’re not smart enough ortech savvy enough to even be there.
The newfolks walk sheepishly up to the reference desk and ask their first question intheir family history journey. Those librarians—bless them—listen patiently,then get these new family historians the information they need. They help themget started on the computers or refer them to the best beginner books on theshelf.
Whatwould happen if an intimidated beginner read this newspaper article? Would theyeven walk through the door? No. They’d get in the car or on the bus and go backhome. Their families’ histories, photos and stories may be lost forever.
Suggestingpeople need a license to research is like throwing a citation book at the headof a new library visitor the minute he or she walks through the door. Whatwould that accomplish? We need to get the new genealogists in the building. Weneed to show them how to start their journey and let them discover their owntreasures. That’s part of being new. You can’t bombard beginners with advancedskills in any task, even genealogy.
The joy-ride analogy is an insult.Ancestry.comruns commercials tempting television viewers to use their product. That’s whatcompanies do. They try to get you to use their products. Many people might seeAncestry.com’s commercial and be curious about their ancestors. They couldstart their own tree and add photos and stories that have never been online.This is not a bad thing! I find it insulting that the article author assumesnew Ancestry.com users will “leave a mess for someone else to clean up.” Sincewhen is another person’s family history a mess?
We’re all here for differentreasons.You’rereason for researching family history is different than mine. We all havedifferent goals and levels of dedication. Some might want to publish their findings;others might be content with just an online family tree. Some areprofessionals. Some have a genealogy hobby. It doesn’t matter why others dogenealogy, so focus on you. The only thing that is important is that you enjoyfamily history they way you want to. Do not worry about anyone else.
We don’t need no stinkin’ sources.Hear meout before you get your bloomers in a wad. You do not need to list sources andcite records when you do your family history. The world will still keep spinning.However, I strongly suggest that you do, because later on you’ll wish you did.Trust me on this.
Noteveryone cites their sources. So what? That’s their business. When I seeunsourced genealogy facts on the Internet, I use clues and details in that information tohelp me attain a record of the event because that’s how I approach my ownresearch. It is not my place to lecture the person who published theinformation. I can take it or leave it (and I’ve left a lot). Our reasons fordoing genealogy are different. It is not your job to make everyone record theirown family’s history to your standards.
Iunderstand that the intent of the article is to lessen inaccuracies andincorrect information online, but have you seen the Internet? I mean...have youseen it? It’s one big giant ball of nonsense. Why is it our duty to determinewhat gets published there? It’s not. If you find a valuable genealogical tidbiton Internet, use your own skills to determine its accuracy then do with it asyou wish.
We don’t know what we don’t knowabout research.I loveresearch. So much that I went back to school and studied all about it. There isso much to the concept of “research” that is never touched in genealogy. If oneactually needed a license to research or publish, none of us would pass thetest. Arguments over qualifications, post nominals, and even the definition ofthe word “professionalism” have been hashed to death in professional genealogycircles. That won’t be happening here. Move on.
Haters gonna hate.Genealogyis a mean friend. Sad but true. Folks are quick to correct others, and even harmlessdifferences are made to look like errors. The article that spawnedthis blog post is a perfect example: that somehow if you don’t do it one way thenit is automatically wrong. The piece takes a huge swipe at beginninggenealogists…and it is not fair.
Thearticle makes good points on the importance of evidence and establishing proof.However, those issues are buried below a snarky statement where new genealogists(who found their way because of a television commercial) are equated to gangbangers.Really? This is how you welcome people into the field? Do you really think they’llhear your message in the middle if you’ve insulted them up front? I’m donediscussing the article. It’s an old argument that does more elitist, divisivedamage than good.
This.Researchingyour family history is a rewarding experience. I’d even go so far as to say itis life changing. Learning about ancestors gives our lives purpose and remindsus what is important.
I wanteveryone to research their family history. I want everyone to go online andsearch for information. I want everyone to continue that research offline. I wanteveryone to publish if they feel comfortable doing so. You’ll find that thesearch isn’t as easy as it looks on TV, but that’s ok. Once you find that juicygenealogical tidbit about great-grandpa, you’ll be hooked. You’ll find cousins.You’ll find friends that share your interest. You’ll find depth and definitionin your own life.
Professional,hobbyist, or something else….does it really matter? No. So long as you’re doingwhat you enjoy. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise. Just as in otherparts of life, sometimes people need to say things to make themselves feelsuperior. It’s like being in high school all over again. Don’t go back to highschool, and don’t let others drag you to that place.
Thereare no dumb genealogy questions. Ask away about family history. There are lotsof friendly people out there who are willing to help. Seek out the librarians,local genealogy societies and online resources. Heck, ask me a question. Iprobably won’t know the answer, but I can get you in touch with someone whowill.
New genealogists:welcome…and please, please, PLEASE join our ranks. It doesn’t matter how muchcomputer or research experience you have. Whether genealogy is just a casualhobby or a full-time obsession, we are very happy to have you here online andin-person in the genealogy sandbox. Your ancestors’ stories need to be told,and you deserve the reward of discovering their tales.


One last detailI wrotethis piece for my own therapy. Please do not use the comment section to debateor argue, as this is my blog and I’m not in the mood for a 10-paragraphdiatribe on the definition professionalism. Severe sinus pain has made meHulk-level annoyed at everything. Thanks.