One of the common resources used in genealogy research is findagrave.com. For the most part, findagrave.com is a helpful resource that might contain research clues. However, inaccurate information is sometimes posted by well-meaning contributors, leading researchers off in weird directions.
Some take issue with the fact that anyone – outside of family – can own the memorial. I think volunteers contribute a lot of hard work to our larger pool of genealogical knowledge that might not be covered by family.
My experience has been that when I have found something I believe is incorrect or requires annotation, I have been able to submit corrections and [documented] family relationships without any problem. I always include documentation with citations. Findagrave has always been responsive and willing to do what they can to make things right.
Case in point: Luke Curran [Curren] – the issue was the spelling of the surname. In this line of the family, the spelling Curran was the spelling of choice vs. other variants.
Here is a copy of 1870 U.S. Census that I sent along with my request for correction:
1870 U.S. Census for the Daniel & Anna Curran family
Year: 1870; Census Place: Chippewa, Wayne, Ohio; Roll: M593_1280; Page: 84A; Image: 174; Family History Library Film: 552779
In my note to findagrave.com, I stated that Daniel & Anna (Luke’s parents) have Curran on their grave stones and that Luke’s surname should also be spelled, Curran. The admins at findagrave.com were quick to reply and act upon information I submitted, and they worked with me quickly to clarify.
Many thanks to Edward Rowlance, who was the contributor for this particular findagrave memorial and my contact for correction.
Dr. Cori Zuppo earned her PhD in Technology Management from Indiana State University with a specialization in Human Resource Development and Industrial Training. Cori’s dissertation research was entitled “Organizations as consumers of human capital via technology: A policy study of information and communication technologies”. Cori also holds an M.A.Ed. from The George Washington University and a B.S. in Conflict Resolution from Ohio University (summa cum laude). Dr. Zuppo received advanced mediation training at Capital Law School and has completed the CUE Employee and Labor Relations Certification Program. Cori holds the professional certifications of Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) of which there are only 32 dual-certified individuals in Ohio and 824 dual-certified in the United States[1].
Cori has several years of industry experience in HR-related functions, labor relations and corporate legal. Dr. Zuppo consults in the areas of HRM, HRD, organization development, labor and employee relations, strategic organizational communication, technology management, transformational leadership and management development. Cori has particular interests in technology and innovation in engineering education and efforts to reshore U.S. manufacturing.
Dr. Zuppo has presented at the Society for the History of Technology where she was selected to compete for the Robinson Prize. Cori has also served as presenter for the Association for Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) conferences and is currently serving as moderator for the ATMAE Distance & Online Education focus group. Cori has also served as journal reviewer for The Academy of Management and ATMAE. Recently, Cori’s article entitled “Defining ICT in a Boundaryless World: A Working Hierarchy” was published in the International Journal of Managing Information Technology.
Cori is a Professor in the Department of Business and Information Technologies at Marion Technical College (MTC) in Marion, Ohio and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at University of Maryland Maryland College in the M.S. Technology Management program. Previously, Cori was a part-time faculty member at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in the College of Technology. and served as a doctoral fellow at BGSU, conducting research and teaching in the areas of technology management, academic research and instructional design & delivery.
[1] As reported by Human Resource Certification Institute, March 2011.
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