People should rejoice for having the LDS library and learn to use it
correctly.  I have found out many years ago that the files served as a
tool for gathering clues.  For instance if the person I was
researching was John Doe born in 1850, I would search all John Does
born 1845-1855.  Than I would compare the claimed place of birth, the
name of the wife, the children and gather this information and go
directly to the Federal Archives and search those states  I feel you
would be surprised to find how much you learn about John Doe.  I have
found many forefathers in this manner.  The LDS is just a tool to
gather information on names, place of birth, place of death and maybe
parents names.  If most of the search resulted in stating John Doe was
born in Va. or Ky. these two states would be a good place to start
researching your census film.  I have had excellent results.

Good luck and continue to search.
Jo Ann





----- Original Message -----
From: "Herbert Farmer" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2001 6:32 AM
Subject: FHC Data


> A little common sense is in order on berating the LDS data files at
FHC
> sites as well as UTAH.
> 1. ICI Files:  These are copies of primary source data and very
useful.
> The LDS spent a lot of volunteer time to go around the world and
collect
> this data.
>
> 2. Ancestral Files. These are patron submissions and the data is
worth
> no more than the other data that is passed around through e-mail,
> forums, home pages, etc. A lot of it is wishful thinking. The value
of
> all non primary or secondary source data is to look for clues that
may
> lead you down a different path than you otherwise would have
traveled. I
> firmly believe that there is a lot of truth in what people think
from
> data that has been handed down through the generations. It is like
any
> other data, the user must confirm what he sees through 2nd and 3rd
> sources.
>
> Rather than bad mouth someone's effort, look for the good that could
> come out of it.
> Nothing further on this subject.
> Phyllis
>
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