West Virginia
Archives & History News
Volume IV, No. 1
March 2003

NGS Research Standards

From the Editor:

History Day 2003 was a great success and enjoyed by all. Several historical re- enactors, many of whom were honored as History Heroes, brought a special sense of the past to the event. Information on 2003 History Hero Awards is available at http://www.wvculture.org/history/hisher03.html. Past years' winners are posted at http://www.wvculture.org/history/histhero.html. The next History Day at the Legislature is already scheduled for January 29, 2004.

Now that spring is finally here, many families will be cleaning up cemeteries and decorating graves. For hints and reminders for working in cemeteries, refer to West Virginia Archives and History News, September 2001 issue. You will find all issues of the newsletter on our Web site under the Archives section.

RESEARCH STANDARDS

In recent newsletter articles, such as The Internet or the Library? (August 2002), After You Find It on the Net, Then What? (August 2002), Contrasting Search Methods (October 2002), and Primary and Secondary Resources (October 2002), we have emphasized the importance of determining the source of information, evaluating its accuracy, and documenting the source of specific data. We now offer the Research Standards of the National Genealogy Society (NGS) as further guidelines for improving both your genealogical and historical research skills, therefore increasing the accuracy of your end results.

NATIONAL GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY (NGS)

Genealogical Standards

NGS welcomes links to its Standards and Guidelines on other web sites, or their reproduction by others, as permitted by the copyright notice, but such support from others doesn't assure that their web sites or works conform to the recommended Standards or Guidelines. Should such a claim be made, it is a matter for each individual to consider, and to take whatever action seems appropriate from a personal standpoint.

NGS Genealogical Standards

Remembering always that they are engaged in a quest for truth, family history researchers consistently--

• record the source for each item of information they collect.
• test every hypothesis or theory against credible evidence, and reject those that are not supported by the evidence.
• seek original records, or reproduced images of them when there is reasonable assurance they have not been altered, as the basis for their research conclusions.
• use compilations, communications and published works, whether paper or electronic, primarily for their value as guides to locating the original records, or as contributions to the critical analysis of the evidence discussed in them.
• state something as a fact only when it is supported by convincing evidence, and identify the evidence when communicating the fact to others.
• limit with words like "probable" or "possible" any statement that is based on less than convincing evidence, and state the reasons for concluding that it is probable or possible.
• avoid misleading other researchers by either intentionally or carelessly distributing or publishing inaccurate information.
• state carefully and honestly the results of their own research, and acknowledge all use of other researchers' work.
• recognize the collegial nature of genealogical research by making their work available to others through publication, or by placing copies in appropriate libraries or repositories, and by welcoming critical comment.
• consider with open minds new evidence or the comments of others on their work and the conclusions they have reached.

• respect the restrictions on sharing information that arise from the rights of another as an author, originator or compiler; as a living private person; or as a party to a mutual agreement.
• observe meticulously the legal rights of copyright owners, copying or distributing any part of their works only with their permission, or to the limited extent specifically allowed under the law's "fair use" exceptions.
• identify the sources for all ideas, information and data from others, and the form in which they were received, recognizing that the unattributed use of another's intellectual work is plagiarism.
• respect the authorship rights of senders of letters, electronic mail and data files, forwarding or disseminating them further only with the sender's permission.
• inform people who provide information about their families as to the ways it may be used, observing any conditions they impose and respecting any reservations they may express regarding the use of particular items.
• require some evidence of consent before assuming that living people are agreeable to further sharing of information about themselves.
• convey personal identifying information about living people- like age, home address, occupation or activities--only in ways that those concerned have expressly agreed to.
• recognize that legal rights of privacy may limit the extent to which information from publicly available sources may be further used, disseminated or published.
• communicate no information to others that is known to be false, or without making reasonable efforts to determine its truth, particularly information that may be derogatory.
• are sensitive to the hurt that revelations of criminal, immoral, bizarre or irresponsible behavior may bring to family members.

Recommended by the National Genealogical Society, http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/comstandsound.htm

1997, 2002 by National Genealogical Society. Permission is granted to copy or publish this material provided it is reproduced in its entirety, including this notice.

NEW TITLES

Businesses of the Past: 2003 Calendar: KYOWVA Genealogical Society, no date.

Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Wisconsin: 1901-2001: The Society, no date.

Index to Obituaries in The Parkersburg News: 1930-1939: Wes Cochran, 2003.

Doddridge County WV 1930 Census: Wes Cochran, 2003.

Clay County WV 1930 Census: Wes Cochran, 2003.

Final Environmental Impact Statement: AEP 765kV Transmission Line: U.S. Forest Service, et al, 2002.

Record of Decision: AEP 765kV Transmission Line: U.S. Forest Service, et al, 2002.

Annual Evaluation Report for the Regulatory and Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Programs Administered by the State of West Virginia: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, for the years 1991, 1992, 1993.

The Self-Sufficiency Standard for West Virginia: Diana Pearce with Jennifer Brooks, 2002.

Guide to The Archives in the Connecticut State Library: The Library, 2002.

Potbelly School Tales: Stanley "Judd" Anderson. Note: Compilation of articles written by members of the West Virginia Association of Retired School Employees, 2002.

John Warwick Daniel (late a senator from Virginia) Memorial Addresses: United States 61st Congress, 1911.

Juvenile Mental Arithmetic: John F. Stoddard, [1865].

The Pennsylvania-German: A Monthly Magazine of Biography, History, Genealogy, Folklore, Literature, etc., Volume X, July 1909, No. 7: edited by H. W. Kriel, 1909. Note: Single issue containing article on Hans Joest Heydt.

The Case of the United States, to be laid before the Tribunal of Arbitration...[Alabama Claims]: 1872.

Ladies Birthday Almanac: The Chattanooga Medicine Co., for years 1936, 1938, and 1939.

Professional Record of Rader and Associates: The firm, 1965.

The Eoff Family in the United States: Robert W. Eoff, pamphlets dating 1901-1906.

Ohio County (WV) Index, Volume 10: Card Index to all Ohio County Courts' Case Files & Loose Papers, Part 3, 1837-1841: Kenneth Fischer Craft, Jr., 2002.

Bicentennial 1776-1976, Belle, W. Va.: Belle Woman's Club, [1976?].

West Virginia Memories of President Kennedy: Ken Hechler, 1999 reprint of 1965 edition. The States and Their Older Citizens: Council of State Governments, [1955].

Regional Cooperation in Higher Education: Board of Control for Southern Regional Education, 1949.

In Memoriam: Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, Orient of West Virginia, Valley of Wheeling. Note: Memorial pages and eulogies for deceased members dated 1905-1919, as well as issues of A. & A. S. R. Bulletin, 1917-20.

With Gratitude to Eva Hubbard: A Celebration of Women Artists at West Virginia University: Lillian J. Waugh, [1991].

American Markets for American Labor: Speech of Hon. Nathan Goff, of West Virginia, in the House of Representatives, April 27, 1888: Government Printing Office, 1888.

A Look at Two Jackson County Tennessee Post Offices and the Mail During the Pre-1850 Stampless Period: Tennessee Genealogy and History article, 1998. [Pamphlet]

Bledsoe County Tennessee Soldiers of the American Revolution: Tennessee Genealogy and History article, 1998. [Pamphlet]

Lincoln County, Tennessee: 1836 Civil Districts and Tax Listings: Tennessee Genealogy and History article, 1998. [Pamphlet]

1820 Stewart County, TN Census: Tennessee Genealogy and History article, 1998. [Pamphlet]

RootsWeb Relationship Chart

http://www.rootsweb.com/~rwguide/chart_ relations.htm

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

On April 12, the National Park Service will sponsor a Gathering on the Underground Railroad, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., in Cumberland, MD. The goal is for participants to share information on resources and programs related to resistance to slavery in Western Maryland and nearby West Virginia and Pennsylvania. For more information, contact Jenny Masur, (202) 690-5166, or [email protected].

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

PLEASE CHECK OUR WEB SITE (http://www.wvculture.org/history) FOR GENEALOGICAL and HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND FOR MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ON ACTIVITIES LISTED BELOW. "SHAPING THE CAPITOL COMPLEX: CASS GILBERT, INC.": Collection of photographs and documents on display in the Archives and History Library and on the Archives and History Web site.

BLUE AND GRAY DINNER, APRIL 10: Dennis Frye, speaker, on the Civil War movie, "Gods and Generals," Independence Hall, Wheeling.

MID-OHIO VALLEY GENEALOGY FAIR, APRIL 12: Wood County Library, Parkersburg.

GATHERING ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, APRIL 12: National Park Service, Cumberland, MD.

RESEARCHING YOUR IRISH & SCOTS-IRISH ANCESTORS, APRIL 29: Free workshop**, Dunbar Branch Library, Kanawha County Libraries, (304) 766-7161.

EARLY VIRGINIA LAND RECORDS, 1620-1865, MAY 3: Free workshop**, St. Albans Branch Library, Kanawha County Libraries, (304) 722-4244.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH IN VIRGINIA RECORDS, MAY 3: Free workshop**, St. Albans Branch Library, Kanawha County Libraries, (304) 722-4244. **Registration required.

VANDALIA GATHERING, MAY 23-25: Capitol Complex, Charleston.

MEMORIAL DAY, MAY 26: The Library will be closed.

WEST VIRGINIA DAY, JUNE 20: The Library will be open.*

INDEPENDENCE DAY, JULY 4: The Library will be closed.

LABOR DAY, SEPTEMBER 1: The Library will be closed. *Only the Archives Library will be staffed--all other Archives offices will be closed. The State Museum will be open any time the Archives Library is open. The West Virginia Library Commission Library in The Cultural Center is closed weekends and all holidays.

ARCHIVES AND HISTORY STAFF

Fredrick Armstrong: Director
Debra Basham: Archivist (photographs, special collections)
Constance Baston: Researcher (Veterans Memorial Archive)
Greg Carroll: Historian (Civil War, Native American history)
Dick Fauss: Archivist (microfilm and moving images collection)
Elaine Gates: Library Assistant (microfilming and microfilm repairs)
Joe Geiger: Assistant Director (Historian, Web page)
Ed Hicks: Photographer (archival photography, darkroom)
Mary Johnson: Historian (West Virginia History)
Terry Lowry: Library Assistant (Civil War)
Cathy Miller: Library Assistant (WV State documents, periodicals)
Sharon Newhouse: Secretary
Harold Newman: Library Assistant (microfilming, Revolutionary War)
Pat Pleska: Manager of the Veterans Memorial Archive
Susan Scouras: Librarian (cataloging, Kentucky, library collection, newsletter editor)
Jaime Simmons: Library Assistant (records of the 1700's and early 1800's, Pennsylvania)
Bobby Taylor: Library Manager
Nancy Waggoner: Office Assistant
Working on special projects: Allen Fowler.
Volunteers: Carolyn Conner, Bill Kelley, Angela Tolbert, and Bob and Lucile Foster.

This newsletter is a publication of :

The Division of Culture and History
Archives and History
The Cultural Center
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Charleston, WV 25305-0300
(304) 558-0230
Nancy P. Herholdt, Commissioner

Permission to reprint articles from West Virginia Archives and History News is granted, provided: (1) The reprint is not used for commercial purposes, and (2) the following notice appears at the end of the reprinted material: Previously published in West Virginia Archives and History News, [Volume and issue numbers], [Month, Year], a publication of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.

Archives and History News