Friday, December 16, 2011

APG Code of Ethics - Part 3

3. Promote the trust and security of genealogical consumers.

First, what is a “genealogical consumer”? This could be the person who reads genealogy articles and books you wrote, a member of a society who has booked you to present, a client for whom you have done research or other work (heir finding, translating, consulting, etc.). It doesn’t take long for someone who writes untruths to be “revealed” to the genealogy community. The same happens with people to impart incorrect information in presentations or client reports. The “bad stuff” is quickly identified and people soon learn whom they cannot trust. (Bad news travels fast.) But what about the other side of the coin?
We get known for both the good and bad we do, but it takes longer for the positive stuff to be told. That is probably because many expect us to be trustworthy and honest. Besides that, though, many of the recipients of our information are new to genealogy and don’t recognize whether something is right or wrong. Editors often catch the errors in written work, but where are the editors for speakers? Or for the client reports? We have to be our own editors, checking and double checking our information to make sure it is both accurate and up to date (has that website changed? disappeared? Is the book you recommended still being published? The organization you mentioned – does it still exist?). This pertains to the handouts/syllabus material we provide, too. We need to remember to check the sources again (yes, again) to make sure they are still pertinent and available. When we give incorrect information, we lose the trust of the genealogy consumers: if we are wrong with a website URL, what other information we provided is wrong, too?
It is difficult to be pro-active in promoting the trust and security of genealogical consumers, but it is not difficult to avoid the opposite. If we do all we can to be honest and trustworthy, proofreading, editing, and reviewing all our output, then the “trust and security” should be the result. You may never know it, but you sure will know that the consumers don’t trust you if you don’t take the extra time to ensure these simple steps are taken.

Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD, MA, CG
President, SCCAPG

Thursday, November 17, 2011

APG Code of Ethics - Part 2

APG – Code of Ethics Blog Discussion

2) Present research results and opinions in a clear, well-organized manner; fully and accurately cite references; and refrain from withholding, suppressing, or knowingly misquoting or misinterpreting sources or data.



This item deals primarily with the final product a client receives from the genealogy researcher, but can also apply to those doing translations, searching for heirs, writing articles, and even presenting to societies and at conferences. Let us examine this from these different directions, considering what types of circumstances might lead to the inadvertent (or even blatant) violation of this second article in the Code.

Certainly we want our reports (articles, presentations, etc.) to be clear and well organized.
After writing your report, article, etc., review it for clarity and organization. Better still, have someone else go over it or listen to it (if it is a presentation) to help you identify any areas that are unclear or where you may jump from one subject to the next without making the transitions needed.

Obviously (at least, I think it is obvious), the citation of sources requires careful attention. Are the sources you cite clear? Could others locate the same references? Don’t forget the “other” types of references (i.e., identification of sources that were interviewees, citations of citations, etc.). If you find information on a website that cites another source (possibly one not available to you because it was a private source or is no longer in publication), it is important to cite both the secondary source (where you got it) and the primary source (where the secondary source got the information). You should never cite the primary source as if you had acquired the information directly from it (even though you have the reference data so that you *could* do this – it is unethical to do so). Your citation needs to be clear enough for anyone to read your report, handout, article, etc. and be able to find that same reference. If it is not available to the general public (e.g., you have access to a private manuscript or it is the result of your personal interview of someone who may no longer be living or who wishes not to have his/her personal information available to others), that inaccessibility must also be clarified.

Suggestion: If you have located information from a website that is no longer operational, check to see if the data has been reproduced on another (reputable) source (i.e., not just someone citing the same out-dated website you found in the past). Again, if you cannot locate the material so that someone else could retrace your research steps, at least make it clear where you obtained it and how it is considered to be a credible source. Ideally: whatever evidence you are providing from this source should also be backed up (referenced) in another source as well. This, of course, is always advisable: more than one source for a single event provides a much better “argument” than just one document, article, etc. (Think: there is safety in numbers.)

Is there anything missing? Obviously, for those of us whose major focus is presenting to societies and at conferences, we already know we cannot be complete in everything. After all, we have only so much time allotted so it is almost a given that something will be omitted. How do we do that without violating this item in our Code? That is what the handout is for! Include reference information where the complete material can be located and be honest in presenting, referring to that part of the handout/syllabus document so that the attendees know that there is more, but that they have to take some responsibility to find it. For example, there are a number of reasons that America was embroiled in the Civil War. As a presenter, it is my responsibility not to simplify the cause, but to be complete. But time may not grant me the opportunity to be so thorough, so being clear that all the reasons for the War can be found in greater detail at XYZ website gives me some “wiggle room” without being accused of being incomplete. If I fail to do this, I lose credibility and may find myself the embarrassed recipient of a negative evaluation or blogged review! (While I could also be reported to the APG PRC for violation of this item, unless I have consistently been inaccurate in my presentations, I am not likely to receive more than a letter of reprimand.)

I think the part about not knowingly misquoting or misinterpreting material is self-explanatory. We all make mistakes. Sometimes we are given erroneous information (and sometimes clients provide us with that very thing, hopefully accidentally and not on purpose), but to knowingly quote material out of context or refusing to thoroughly examine conclusions reached by other researchers or scholars points to a failure on our part, especially if the claims seem to be unfounded or off the wall. Check further.

A reason people do not engage in thorough research: time. The client wants everything done for under $Y. To be complete in the examination will mean an additional two or three (or more hours), putting you over budget. Result: Client receives incomplete information, ending with a complaint to the PRC. How do you avoid this? When you realize that the report requires more time, communicate with the client. Perhaps you can come up with a compromise and settle for a little more money from the client, but maybe still less than your time really warrants. Or give the client the information about the sources that will lead to “the rest of the story.” Be clear that the time and budget for the project does not allow you to give the details on everything that is available so you are giving the individual information to further the research. This is not like a recipe that one alters (omitting an ingredient in order to appear the better cook). It is essential that the information provided will permit the client to continue the research, even if it means hiring someone else. Being complete in this manner will save you the inconvenience (and possible suspension from APG), but you will also proceed, knowing that you are an ethical genealogist whose work is beyond reproach, and that just might bring you more work.

(Note: in the last example, the same holds true for articles – where space is the major issue – and presentations – where time is of the essence.)


Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD, MA, CG
President, SCCAPG

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

HistoryGeo.com

Recommendation from SCCAPG Member Barbara Renick.

"A new commercial service called HistoryGeo.com from Arphax published (they did the great county map books).

http://www.historygeo.com/

They have a great video about their site’s features on the home page. I particularly like the ancestral migration map feature (last feature shown on the video)."

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

APG Code of Ethics - Part 1


Over the coming weeks, I will be presenting a proposed discussion forum for each of the 8 items on the APG Code of Ethics. This is the first in the series and deals with the First item on the Code:
“Promote a coherent, truthful approach to genealogy, family history and local history.”
This is a fairly basic statement and easy to understand; however one person’s understanding of the statement may not agree with that of another (e.g., a client). So, how would it be perceived that a person violated this?
A)        The speaker who talks about historical events or their causes and makes errors in the information. Obviously, an innocent error is not as much an issue as a blatant lie that might cause people to search the wrong area or records for their ancestors.
B)        The researcher who finds information on a client’s family but withholds that data.
C)        The researcher who is unable to find information for a client so “makes it up” to “pad” the final report.
D)        The researcher who bows to a client’s pressure to find a link between the client and some person in history he/she believes (erroneously or unfoundedly) is a relative.
E)        The researcher who sees he/she is not going to be able to fulfill a client’s request but accepts the work anyway, charging for hours without accounting for them.
F)        A researcher, writer, speaker, etc. who fails to cite sources used in his/her work.
G)        A researcher, writer, speaker, etc. who provides information that is unclear, muddied, or otherwise difficult or impossible to understand/follow.
H)        A genealogist who agrees to do a project and then does not follow through, never contacting the client or booking organization or publication with any explanation.

How to avoid being accused of any of these (or other possible scenarios) that might lead to a complaint about a violation of this code:
A)        A coherent contract, identifying what is promised, time frame involved, and reasons for why a contract might be cancelled (a Cancellation Clause). For client research, this should include a statement about research time possibly yielding nothing, except to eliminate particular records or research locales.
B)        Do not accept a client, speaking engagement, or writing assignment that is beyond your scope of knowledge or experience.
            1)         Suggest another individual (see the APG or SCCAPG website for this                   purpose, but don’t recommend someone you aren’t familiar with).
2)         Direct the client/publication/organization to the APG or SCCAPG website to find someone better suited for their needs.
2)         If you wish to learn about the subject matter, make it clear to the hiring entity that you will need extra time to learn enough about the topic to do it justice and clarify that your learning time will not be billed. Set up a workable schedule that allows you time for “unexpected delays.” Should you find yourself losing control over the time-table, be up front with the client and set up a new timeline (make an addendum to the contract that both parties agree with).
In short: communicate with the person booking your services. And keep the lines of communication open throughout the project until all the reports, projects, presentations, etc. are completed to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.
Problem: Item number 1 on the Code of Ethics is sort of a “catch all” statement and can be interpreted in different ways depending on a person’s perspective. An angry client is likely to claim a violation of this item because it’s the easiest to point to (that word “coherent” is such an ambiguous term that anyone can claim anything is “incoherent”).

Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD, MA, CG
President, SCCAPG

Monday, October 24, 2011

Caroline Braxton Rober Memorial Internet Learning Center


The new Caroline Braxton Rober Memorial Internet Learning Center at the Orange Regional Family History Library was dedicated on Sat., 15 Oct.
2011. Present were the mayor from Orange, other city representatives, past staff members from the Orange FHL, family members from Caroline's loving family, and a host of friends of the facility to celebrate 20 years of operation as a regional resource location as well as the opening of the new Learning Center. The Center is designed for patrons to have on-line access to webinars and other programs involving viewing and listening; two computers are equipped with two head-sets each so that four individuals can view resources at the same time. SCCAPG's own Daniel Bartosz was instrumental in the construction of this facility and it is now open for operation. The FHL is located at 674 S. Yorba in Orange. Their website is <http://www.orangefhc.info/>. Check on line for hours and closures.