1920s membership directory for a historically uncomfortable group
HistoryColorado has digitized and made available two ledgers containing membership information for a group many people would be uncomfortable learning their ancestors belonged to:
Would it be appropriate to upload images from these ledgers and tag individuals in the FamilySearch family tree? I'm not sure, based on the rules posted here:
Rules for uploading memories • FamilySearch
I believe that we can learn both from our ancestors' triumphs and misdeeds, and that these records would present a more honest and complete picture of their lives and the times they lived in.
Best Answer
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The fact that you are having misgivings is probably your best clue to the appropriate answer to your suggestion. There are several things to be considered. Since these documents are freely accessible, they can be accessed by anyone who is searching for information about an ancestor. They do not contain any vital information about the individuals so you would only be able to enter names many of which may already be in the FamilySearch database but without other information would probably not show as duplicates and would probably not be found by those who may be looking for their family members. In addition, the images may be under copyrighted. If they are, then the actual copying of any images for other than your own personal use would be illegal. If you are related to some of these folks and would like to add this collection as a source, here is a link to an article that explains how to do that. https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-add-an-outside-source-to-family-tree
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Answers
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These records do indicate the dates (and occasionally manners) of death for a few members, which can be frustratingly difficult to find for Colorado residents.
These records also do contain a residential or business address and telephone number for most members. That can be matched to a name and address from a census, draft registration, or city directory.
I agree it wouldn't be helpful to add individuals to the family tree without also attaching at least one of those matching records.
History Colorado does not consider the original ledgers (since they were created before 1922) or their digital images (which are simple reproductions) to be under copyright.
I was most curious whether FamilySearch would consider these membership ledgers to be "Expressions of hatred or discrimination" which are prohibited under the published rules for Memories. Although they are literally just a list of names and addresses, the group they belonged to was absolutely an expression of hatred and discrimination.
But I think if we can link documents to our ancestors such as slave schedules and wills which mention the actual enslavement of named human beings, these ledgers are even less of a direct expression.
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@Fredelas from reddit ( & @Wanda Eskue )
Fredelas from eddit
Taking another 'tack' ... from 'Wanda' ...
I agree ... you are CORRECT ...
Just because SOME Users/Patrons MAY be uncomfortable learning that their Ancestors belonged to the aforementioned Group, DOES NOT mean that ALL Users/Patrons would be uncomfortable learning that their Ancestors belonged to the aforementioned Group.
And, just as happened with the OLD, now (UNFORTUNATELY) discontinued, "Labels" ...
One User's/Patron's ... 'Pride' and 'Joy', can be another User's/Patron's ... 'Shame' and 'Loathing/Discust' ...
But
That said ...
As some people do ...
We should NOT ...
▬ 'Look at Life, through, Rose Coloured Glasses' ...
▬ 'Whitewash' History ...
History is, what it was ... the 'Good'; and, the 'Bad' ...
As such ..
Provided that,
(1) those "Ledgers" are in the 'Public Domain' (and, NOT subject to 'Copyright); and,
(2) DO NOT display 'Words' that express 'hatred or 'discrimination'
.... [ Just because the 'context of such 'Groups' may INSTILL such (for some),
...... that DOES NOT negate the 'content' in those 'Ledgers' ]; and,
(3) one is posting the those "Ledgers", in the "Memories", against one's Ancestors.
Then, I would suggest, the uploading of those "Ledgers", in the "Memories", against one's Ancestors, is NOT 'contrary' to the "Rules" that apply in uploading "Memories" in 'Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
As, those "Ledgers":
Will be ...
▬ Appropriate
▬ Relevant
▬ Heart-turning
Will NOT (or, should not) be ...
▬ Vulgar or Profane
▬ Politically incorrect names
... [ Where being, 'politically correct'; or, 'politically incorrect',
..... is very subjective ... ]
▬ Expressions of hatred or discrimination
... [ subject to the aforementioned ]
▬ Words demeaning or desecrating religious beliefs.
▬ Other words or expressions considered to be inappropriate
... [ Where, what is considered as inappropriate by one,
..... may be considered as appropriate by another,
..... again, is very subjective ... ]
Are, after all ...
Just "Ledgers" ... ie. a "List" of members of the aforementioned group.
And, contrary to what 'Wanda' suggests ...
Those "Ledgers', MAY, in fact, contain some vital piece of information, which could be ANYTHING, about one's Ancestor(s) that is NOT available on any other available 'On-Line' (internal; or, external) record.
Just my thoughts.
Brett
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