George Friedman wrote”

I will die, sooner or later. Did I do all this genealogical research only to have it die with me? NO! I want it to be available to other researchers, just as I have had other people's research results available to me. Otherwise, what is the point of my doing the research in the first place?

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There certainly must be safeguards. I do not post my information to any site that allows others to modify it! And I am careful about privacy for the living. But if someone copies my work into their tree, and then incorrectly modifies it there...well, I don't see that that takes any skin off of me.

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I was trained as a scientist, a chemist, and had a career as a university professor. So I speak from a tradition of publishing one's research. Genealogy is certainly not the same as chemistry, but I think the point is the same: Knowledge not shared is not knowledge at all.

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All trees have errors. That is why I prefer a single collaborative tree like geni where sources can be posted to a profile and curators evaluate the facts to improve the single One World Tree over time. I have had others inform me of mistakes in my tree, which has allowed me to improve it for future generations. This tends to be a “religious” issue and many people have made up their minds on their direction. Siloed trees will perish with their “owners.”

Max Heffler

Houston, TX