The following little tale, slightly adapted from a children's story, might give us reason to pause and contemplate.

Once upon a time there were three HOGG genealogists. Their names were Harriet, George, and Frederick. They had researched their HOGG genealogies for years and were to the point of compiling their information in order to make it available to future generations. So they each went about preserving their information separately.

Harriet constructed a small building in her backyard and took out all her family history materials and set up an office. She obtained a typewriter and a type of paper that was of the highest archival grade. Harriet wanted her material and paper to outlast her by as long as possible. She spent many days in her building compiling her material, typing her records, and organizing her conclusions. It was not long before she had numerous volumes of information compiled, organized, and most important, preserved for future generations.

Then along came the Data Deterioration Demon.

He said, "Harriet, I have come for your data."

"Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin," said Harriet.

The demon said, "I don't huff, and I don't puff. One lightening bolt will burn your stuff."

And so it did. Harriet salvaged what materials she could. Unfortunately, nearly ninety percent of her materials were lost.

Harriet heard that her fellow HOGG researcher George had a sophisticated data-preservation technique, and she was determined to use it. Upon asking, George told Harriet that he used the latest in computer technology. "Harriet," he said, "I have an ancient machine here that you can use. It is nearly a year old. Feel free to use it here, and I can answer questions as you have them."

Harriet quickly agreed and set about entering what information she did have into George's computer. Before long she had filled several diskettes full of information. She and George were quickly preserving their information for all the current little HOGGS and those to come. The stack of completed diskettes grew steadily.

Harriet was pleased (and so was George).

Then along came the Data Deterioration Demon, saying, "Give me your data."

George said, "Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin."

And the Data Deterioration Demon said, "That won't be necessary. I don't need to huff, and I don't need to puff. My great big magnet will erase your stuff."

And so it did.

Harriet and George were able to salvage their papers, but their conclusions and summaries were lost. They quickly made their way to Frederick's house. They had heard that Frederick had been to Europe and had an advanced, highly sophisticated method of long-term data storage. and had an advanced, highly sophisticated method of long-term data storagethem to use his technique. After all, the three of them were HOGGS, and hopefully a sense of family loyalty would convince Frederick.

They entered his home and were surprised to find no high-tech equipment in Frederick's office. Harriet and George explained their problem, including how the demon had foiled their plans Harriet and George explained their problem, including how the demon had foiled their plans and the future.

Frederick understood their dilemma and assured them that he had a procedure that was as advanced as humanly possible and that would record the data for the longest possible time. He would show them the technique after supper.

Before they ate, Harriet asked, "Does the Data Deterioration Demon ever come around?"

Frederick answered, "He did once, but stayed only a short while, left in great frustration, and has never been back."

George smiled and said, "Wonderful."

After the HOGG researchers had eaten a sumptuous corn casserole, Frederick took them to the very back of his property.

Harriet and George climbed over the brush and across the ditch and soon arrived at Frederick's facility. They all went inside, and Frederick took them to an area where papers and materials lay scattered on the floor. It was dark, however, and the two HOGG researchers could not really see what Frederick had been doing.

"I've been working for the last three years in this fashion," he told them. "In fact, I need to get back to work now."

He got down on the floor and positioned himself against the wall.

Harriet realized she had picked up a small flashlight while in Frederick's home. Now would be a good time to use it. She turned it on and saw Frederick.

There he was, hammer and chisel in hand, carving his genealogy into the stone wall of the cave.

Moral: Returning to the methods of the caveman (while tempting) is not practical for the average genealogist. While the story makes a point, "modern" genealogists would be well served by storing archivally safe materials at a site other than their homes. Backups in more than one location are an excellent idea. Published copies of your compiled genealogy are even better. After all, an earthquake could ruin even our cave inscriptions!

Michael John Neill, is the Course I Coordinator at the Genealogical Institute of Mid America (GIMA) held annually in Springfield, Illinois, and is also on the faculty of Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Illinois. Michael is the Web columnist for the FGS FORUM and is on the editorial board of the Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly. He conducts seminars and lectures on a wide variety of genealogical and computer topics and contributes to several genealogical publications, including Ancestry Magazine and Genealogical Computing. You can e-mail him at: mneill@asc.csc.cc.il.us or visit his Web site.

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