Last Updated: Saturday, February 2, 2003

Please accept my apology, I have removed the gedcom tree of the Forneys from my site.

I did this as a result of a brief disagreement with another researcher (not a Forney). The disagreement was over the concept of copyright violation. I am convinced that my data did not violate copyright as I do not believe anyone owns the information as to who ones relative is. You can not copyright a truthful fact!

I did however remove the data until such time I have adequately removed the collateral family data of the family in question. In light of this controversy it is appropriate to state my own philosophy regarding genealogy research and any data I have placed on my web site.

How important is it to anyone to know that your great, great, great uncle's name was "Bob" ? It's not! Why then are we fascinated with our own roots and ancestry? I believe for most of us and certainly for myself the interest lies in identifying the role our ancestors played in forming this great nation of ours. But before we can learn their history we must first find out who they were. For every hour I have put into learning who an ancestor was I have put two hours in learning about the history surrounding them.

As to sources information, sources are many and varied. My data comes from personal knowledge, Secular records, Church records, books, and the research of others. For a single person to independently research every ancestor back even to the fifth generation would take a life time. The only thing that makes any sense is to build upon the research of others by proving or disproving the validity of their assertions. Additionally adding to that research with the data of your own research.

Most by far of the researchers of the Forney family and collateral lines do it as a hobby and the ability to share freely with others the history of their own family as it relates to those of others. There are a few unfortunately who seek some personal gain either financially or by boosting their own self esteem.

I will not pass judgement on what drives people to share their family information but I will say that my own research does not belong to me it belongs to all who seek it. If I were so concerned that I not get recognition or some monetary compensation for my efforts I think I would choose a different hobby.

In a way owning your family history and not wishing to share it is sort of like owning a fine painting and not letting anyone else see and enjoy it.

So for my part enjoy freely what I have offered.

David Forney