Sunday, July 1, 2012

Rules of Engagement

Ronald Walter Tipton, June 29, 2012 - Delaware Beach

The past few weeks I've received two requests from Tipton descendants for help with researching their family tree.  I'm always glad to help a fellow Tipton descendent.  I was able to help both of these individuals because they provided me with sufficient information that I was able to research and make the link to our common Tipton family tree.  I always feel a wonderful sense of satisfaction what I can help someone find their roots plus add to my family tree records.

On the heels of these recent successes I feel I should restate the "rules of engagement" when requesting my help.  The reason I do this is because quite often in the past I've been asked to help folks who don't provide me with any information much more than the first name of their father.  No dates of birth or death, no names of grandfathers or great grandfathers.  I cannot help those people with such little information.

I also often receive requests from folks (usually women) who want information so they can join the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution).  First of all, the information required to join the DAR is quite rigorous and I am but an amateur genealogist, even though I have been working at this game for almost twenty years now.  Secondly, I have no interest in helping anyone join the DAR.  Not that there is anything wrong with the DAR, it's just that my time is limited.  I am seventy years old, have a part-time job, not in good health and very busy with other activities in addition to researching my family tree.  My primary goal is filling out as many branches of my family tree that I can before I go to the Great Beyond and meet my Tipton ancestors in person.  So for all you DAR folks, you'll have to look elsewhere for your proof to join the DAR.



Now that I've stated my "rules of engagement", I hope to hear from my distant Tipton relatives.  As I said before, I am glad to help you find your connection to the first Tipton, Jonathan who came to this country in the late 1600's from Port Royale, Jamaica.  But in exchange I would like information from you too as to dates of birth and death and old photos.  I love old photos!

I am looking forward to hearing from you!

Ron Tipton with fellow genealogist Larry Meredith - June 29, 2012

3 comments:

David Jeffreys said...

You guys look you are ready for Halloween as well as history!

Ron said...

Jeff,

For once, I didn't like the hat. I thought I would, big plume and all but it didn't "work" for me.

Ron

David Jeffreys said...

Well, you look VERY DISTINGUISHED, whether you are a Gentleman or a Pirate! Now Larry looks like he is up to no good!