I was pleased to read that Hampton’s High Street Cemetery records are going to be computerized – but a bit put off by the attitude of trustees in demanding that the data not be published online. So, who’s trying to hide what? These are public records we’re talking about – cemetery records at that. Why shouldn’t the public have wider access to them? Oh well, I’m probably taking logic too far here…
HAMPTON [New Hampshire] — Historical Society volunteer Martha Williams has been pushing cemetery trustees for over a month to develop a database so people can find where their relatives are buried at the High Street Cemetery.
And on Wednesday, Nov. 4 the trustees decided to meet her and other members of Hampton {New Hampshire] Historical Society half way. While they will not map the cemetery on a computer as originally proposed due to cost, they will allow volunteers to put cemetery records on to a computer for the sole purpose of maintaining a genealogical database.
Cemetery Superintendent Dan Kenney said the trustees denied the request initially because they were concerned the society wanted to publish the information online.
While the information is public record and readily available to anyone who comes into his office, Kenney said he didn’t want it the hands of just anybody.
But when members of the Historical Society told the trustees they have no intention of publishing it online, the trustee agreed to enter into a partnership with the group.
Read the full article in the November 6, 2009 edition of seacoastonline.com.
Read more about Hampton cemetery record research.
Another typical example of genealogical stupidity. Probably a bunch of cynical old folks who don’t know anything about computers and how they can help people.
I encountered the same resistance to technology at our historical society’s Archival Day. We offered to scan old documents and photos while their owners watched the process to assure them that nothing would happen to their precious memories. The timid brought in family snapshots that looked as though they had been sitting in a drawer for years, presumably not wanting to risk their nicer pictures to possible damage. Hopefully being able to watch the process, from scan to online upload, calmed their fears and next time they will bring in the good stuff. Only one person balked when asked to sign a release form giving us permission to post her old photo on Facebook, so I simply deleted the image from my hard drive.
I have only recently started my geneological research and as I read this, I was appalled.I geuss I have 2 questions. Why would ANYONE, old or not, worry about old family picture put on the internet as long as they had thier originals? ( Assuming it’s the physical picture they’re worried about)There is SO MUCH for others to learn from these records and it’s downright selfish, in my opinion. The 2nd question is, is this the only reason that they’re not being published or is there a deeper secret? Don’t you know that you have just invited every quack “ghost-hunter” inside and out of the US to rain down on u like ants to “find out the true answer”? Not unless this kind of attention was your intention in the first place. Now there’s a concept!!!!