[Genealib] RE: Genealogies and privacy

[Jane]

I just got a notice from the Post Office telling me all the things they are
doing to prevent identity theft and what we should do.  It listed the
primary sources - dumpster diving, credit card swipes, phishing, good old
fashioned theft of wallet, a couple others, but nothing about stealing names
from genealogy web sites.

Just to keep it private, I have asked a cousin many times to remove my info
and that of my immediate family, but he has not.  An I have used a maiden
name in my mother's line, but not hers!  It is not likely anyone would know
which to choose.

Jane


On 3/3/08, John Wylie <john at johnwylie.com> wrote:
>
> Ellen,                          3 March 2008
>
> While I agree that we shouldn't list personal information on living people
> on genealogical (or any other) websites, my reasons are different from
> yours
> and are based on more than privacy. Personal privacy today is a myth.
>
> Family is more important than Genealogy, and as a genealogist I try to
> avoid
> upsetting or offending people in my families. After all "ensuring the
> domestic tranquility" is in our Constitution and I like my domestic
> tranquility.* And since some in my families believe either the privacy
> myth
> or the identity theft myth, upsetting them is certainly NOT tranquil.
> <grin>
>
>
> Another myth is that these postings aid criminals involved in identity
> theft. Just because such personal information CAN be used by bad people,
> it
> does not follow that it IS used. Do you have any real-world examples of
> anyone who has used genealogical online information to steal identities? I
> recall that Dick Eastman had, and may still have, a standing reward for
> anyone who can so prove.
>
> John Wylie
>
> *Before someone jumps on me about the real meaning of domestic
> tranquility,
> please think irony. The framers of our Constitution were not talking about
> home and hearth, but about domestic peace, currently termed homeland
> security.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
> [mailto:genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu] On Behalf Of AnnEllen Barr
> Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 10:49 AM
> To: Librarians Serving Genealogists
> Subject: RE: [Genealib] RE: Genealogies and privacy
>
> You are absolutely correct in that information on living persons should
> not be posted on line
> Or given to anyone other than family that you know closely.  Identity
> theft is all too common
> And this aids the criminals.
>
> ellen at BarrFinancial.com
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