The Coming Genealogical Dark Ages:

The Coming Genealogical Dark Ages:

Curt B. Witcher, the manager of The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Ind., was the plenary speaker at BYU’s Conference on Family History and Genealogy.

http://www.mormontimes.com/article/16144/The-coming-genealogical-dark-ages?s_cid=queue_title&utm_source=queue_title

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Peter Gailey said…

This is an interesting topic. As a long time data storage and data management expert, I could not agree more with the state of Data Preservation that Mr Witcher describes. As a reference report see the “Digital Preservation report National Blue Ribbon council” at:

Click to access BRTF_Interim_Report.pdf

This is a long read, but well worth it if you are an archivist.

Long term data preservation takes many areas of expertise. First understand that the majority of new data is being generated in a digital format. IT is estimated that 98% of all new data is being generated in a digital format.

Genealogy is a very specific field with the definition of “Long Term Data Preservation” being forever. In order to preserve data forever, it is necessary to have the technologies, and methodologies to consistently manage change.

An example (For individuals.) when you purchased your first PC circa 1989, it had an 8” Floppy Disk Drive (FDD). Then the “Back-Up” media eventually changed to a 3½” FDD, then a Tape cartridge, then a Bernoulli drive, then a CD, Then a DVD, now you will more than likely get a Blue Ray device on most PCs. Also note there are different iterations of each of these technologies… High density versions etc. Technology marches on… None are compatible with eachother. Did you (As an individual) move all of your data forward through each of those technology iterations? If not… Can you find a 3 ½ FDD now, and plug it into your current PC, and read the data? Good for you if you can. Good luck if you can’t.

The same kind of technology progression has taken place in the hallowed walls of the “Data Center”. Punch Cards, Reel to Reel tape, Square tape, optical Disk etc.. Few technologies are backward compatible.

My point is that the technology moves forward. There are a major set of issues that need to be taken into account to manage data of all types, into perpetuity.

Advice to those interested… Back up your data often. Make sure you keep your valuable data in a current media form, and format. Make the effort so as not to miss a technology step, and thus make your data inaccessible.

Mr Witcher is correct in his warnings, and observations.

Sincerely,
Peter Gailey