Board:
Message Boards > Topics > Research Resources > Genealogy Ethics
URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/topics.researchresources.genealogyethics/1.1/mb.ashx
Subject: Re: Genealogy Ethics and the Law
Author: sapresley121
Date: Friday, January 09, 2015
Classification: Query
Surnames:
Amen! There is also something else I'd like to point out and if it was covered above, I missed it. Although relatives are dead, the amount of time they have been dead is important. I don't even like to publish my grandparents on a public website due to the fact that any of their issue may use their mother's maiden name as security with financial institutions. Armed with that information anyone would have an easier time stealing someone's identity, bank accounts, etc. It's been going on for years, with less information than that.
What was said above about permission to post information and names of the recently passed parents of an individual is not only ethical, it shows that you as a researcher, respect the feelings of the children who just lost someone near and dear to them. Seeing my father's name on Ancestry.com only weeks after he died was upsetting to me, but also it puts me at risk as well for reasons given above - stealing identities. My personal opinion and I have heard many professionals advise not to post relatives closer than 2 generations away from yourself or any other living relative. Protect yourself & respect the feelings of others.
Happy & Safe searching