Since Craig has already joined the battle, let me ride his coat- 
tales. Perhaps some on the list do make a distinction between  
professional genealogists and "hobby"" genealogists. Perhaps some  
should. If your only knowledge of the genealogical world leads you to  
characterize it as just a current popular "fad," then your knowledge  
is sorely lacking. There is an entire corps of accredited/certified,  
professional genealogists out there advancing the knowledge of the  
daily lives of historical individuals and families and the techniques  
for studying them. And it is people who make history, is it not?

I have always respected historians, and would expect the same in  
return. Professional genealogists may not have earned degrees. But  
that is because degree granting academic institutions do not yet  
recognize genealogy as a separate discipline worthy of a degree. Was  
anthropology always recognized as such? Did any social science spring  
full grown from the head of Zeus? Of course not. You fought for your  
recognition. Now we are fighting for ours. Do not denigrate us simply  
because you got there first. Remember your own origins.

______________________
Donald W. Moore, CGRS
Antecedents® LLC
http://www.antecedents.com

Certified Genealogical Records Specialist and CGRS are service marks  
of the Board for Certification of Genealogists® and used here under  
license.

Antecedents is a registered service mark of Antecedents LLC.

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