Do Name Collectors Have a Place at the Table?

Are you a Name Collector or a Genealogist?  Can one be both?  A debate seems to be raging in the genea-blogosphere, and the recent post by Karen at Genealogy Frame of Mind has me wondering what place a “name collector” has at the genealogical table. A good definition of the differences between a Name Collector and a Genealogist is presented by Elyse at Elyse's Genealogy Blog.

When I first started out researching my family history, I was around 12-13 years of age.  My dad had done some research on the family, and I decided that I would pick up where he left off.  This was in the early 80s, back when I used a Commodore 64 (remember those?) to organize my genealogy.

At the time, I was entering names and dates into the computer without regard to proper citation of my sources. One of my ancestors had completed a genealogy on the BEALS family in my maternal line; my dad had obtained a genealogy of the LEMASTER line as well.  Names and dates went into the database without a thought of citing where I obtained the information, or more importantly – evaluating the quality of the data in those books.

So in those early days, I was definitely a Name Collector.

These days I would consider myself a Family Genealogist – that is, I do try to document and cite my sources as accurately as possible.  I try to correct gaps in my database as often as I can in order to make my research as complete as possible.  However, there is still quite a residue in my database from my Name Collector days.  Sometimes, even today, I can get carried away by a new discovery and fail to properly document the information, believing that I will “remember” and go back to add the source later.  It is a continuing struggle to not get ahead of myself.

I have an online version of my family tree database stored at WorldConnect.  My database contains a warning to those who would sample the information. There are errors and omissions, as well as undocumented facts presented.  I appreciate it when someone takes the time to correct my data with a post-em or sends me an email.  If I do not have the source of the documentation, I apologize and let them know right away.  Am I part of the problem?  Does my database create too much “white-noise” out there that causes disdain from true genealogists?

When I find information about a family online that I am researching that is un-sourced, I treat the information as a clue and seek to prove/disprove the information presented.  Many times these tidbits of undocumented information can lead to breakthroughs that will tear down a brick wall.  I treat this information much in the same way I treat the published genealogies out there that are nothing more than a collection of names, dates and facts without any sources listed.

As I transition from a Name Collector to a full-fledged Genealogist, I am not bothered by those who are Name Collectors.  Perhaps they are just starting out – or perhaps they haven’t matured beyond this stage.  Either way, I find that I have enough genealogical “sins” of my own to worry about chastising others for their failings. 

Family Milestones: September 24th

My paternal 4th-great grandaunt, Beulah Haines WOOLSTON, married on this date in 1829 in Burlington County, New Jersey to Daniel DEACON, son of Daniel and Margaret (RIDGWAY) DEACON.  Beulah was the daughter of Samuel and Hannah (HAINES) WOOLSTON, and the younger sister of my Rachel WOOLSTON. Beulah was born December 24, 1810 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Daniel was born May 20, 1808 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  They had 5 children.  Daniel died June 13, 1866 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Beulah's death date is unknown.


My maternal 2nd-great grandaunt, Jessie PENISTEN, married on this date in 1920 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana to Lawrence SPENCE, son of Thomas and Suzan (BERRY) SPENCE.  Jessie was the daughter of John and Jane (ALDERMAN) PENISTEN, and the younger sister of my Clara PENISTEN.  Lawrence was born January 18, 1863 in Madison County, Indiana.  Jessie was born September 9, 1870 in Madison County, Indiana.  Lawrence was an Army veteran of the Spanish-American War and the Phillipine Insurrection.  Lawrence died March 29, 1961 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.  Jessie died February 27, 1948 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.  Both are buried at the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.


My paternal great-grandaunt, Edith Mabel LeMASTERS, was born on this date in 1879 in Jay County, Indiana.  Edith was the daughter of Luman Walker and Mary Keziah (CHEW) LeMASTERS, and the younger sister of my Luman Cooper LeMASTERS.  Edith married April 20, 1910 in Jay County, Indiana to Henry MEINHOLTZ.  Henry was born July 9, 1875.  They had 4 children.  Henry died January 20, 1948.  Edith died July 29, 1949.  Both are buried in Colorado Springs, Colorado.


My paternal 3rd-great granduncle, John LEMASTERS, was born on this date in 1804 in Mason County, Virginia.  John was the son of Jacob and Hannah (________) LEMASTERS, and the older brother of my Luman Walker LEMASTERS.  John married December 14, 1828 in Washington County, Pennsylvania to Mary H. BAKER.  Mary was born July 30, 1808 in Pennsylvania. They had 10 children and resided in Ohio and Pulaski County, Indiana.  Mary died in Wayne County, Ohio.  John died March 25, 1866 in Starr City, Pulaski County, Indiana.


My paternal 6th-great granduncle, Joseph DAVIS, was born on this date in 1726.  Joseph was the son of John and Elizabeth (MAXSON) DAVIS, and the younger brother of my Thomas William DAVIS.  Joseph married in 1745 in Stonington, Connecticut to Comfort LANGWORTHY.  He married secondly to Dorcas ________.  Comfort's parentage and dates of birth and death are unknown.  Dorcas was born circa 1726.  Joseph and Comfort had 10 children; Joseph and Dorcas had 4 children.  Joseph died in 1798.  Nothing further is known at this time.

Obituary of Marvin Dailey

Thanks to Ancestry user rhondohoyes1950, I was able to locate a copy of the obituary for Marvin DAILEY, second husband of Erma (HAYES) WRIGHT.

Marvin Dailey Passes Away on Thursday


Tipton - Harry Marvin Dailey, 75, of 570 Kentucky avenue, Tipton, died Thursday afternoon at 4 o'clock at the Jones convescent home in Marion.


He was born May 10, 1892, in Fayette county, the son of Oliver and Margaret Farr Dailey.  He was married in 1922 to Irma Wright, and she died in 1949.  In 1951 he was married to Ressie Anderson.


He was a former tinplate worker and resided in Elwood prior to moving to Tipton.  He was last employed at the Tipton County memorial hospital.


Survivors include the widow, two daughters, Mrs. Kenneth Harting Jr., of route 2 Elwood and Mrs. Jack French of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; three sons, Merrill of Kokomo, Warren of Goshen, and Marvin of Trinity, N.C.; the following step children, Mrs. Harry Browning of Tipton, Mrs. Harold Porter, Kenneth Anderson and Thomas, all of Elwood and Warren Anderson of Indianapolis; 19 grandchildren.


The body is in the Mitchell funeral home in Tipton where friends may call anytime.


Funeral services will be conducted at 2 o'clock Saturday afteroon, at the Mitchell home. Rev. Chester Mitchell will officiate.  Burial will be made in the Fairview cemetery.

This obituary gives me some good information, including a timeframe for his marriage to Erma (HAYES) WRIGHT of 1922, and his full name and birthplace.