a question for experts

[Ancienne Alliance]

I am looking for infomation concerning the life of my ancestor Lady Devorguilla of Galloway of Scotland.

Than you.


Best,

Robert

[Chas]

Hi Robert,

This might seem obvious, but have you tried here as a starting point?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dervorguilla_of_Galloway

I know it is Wikipedia, but there does seem to be a lot of information.

Regards

Chas

[Lyle1]

There are a few hits on Ancestry.com, but, as with Wikipedia, you need to look for documentation. A Google search on "Lady Devorguilla of Galloway" returned a few hits, but also suggested an alternate spelling of "Devorgilla." A lot of the hits were to sites talking more about historic places than about Lady Devorguill, but that can be interesting. There were also a nnumber of hits on "Google Books."

Good Luck

[A Hay]

Robert,

I can't add much to the history in wickapedia, but I have visited Sweetheart Abby which is south of Dumfries. Also, there is a stone bridge in Dumfries, over the River Nith, which bears her name, although the current bridge is a replacement for the one she originally endowed, I believe.

Sounds like that would be enough of a reason to visit Dumfries and stay with Robertson and Emma at Ferintosh Guest House!

I'm sure you would have a great time.

Regards,

Tom

[Ancienne Alliance]

Thank you all. I must develop the wikipedia reflex !


Best,

Robert

[BoldHighlander]

Thank you all. I must develop the wikipedia reflex !

Just be careful with wikipedia Robert, always remember to double check the "facts" w/ other sources!

[Ancienne Alliance]

Just be careful with wikipedia Robert, always remember to double check the "facts" w/ other sources!

Yes I guess this is the reason why I allways go there ...last.


Best,

Robert

[Lallans]

I want to jump in and speak in defense of Wikipedia. First of all, they are the number one source of information on matters that most other information resources consider themselves too good for- TV programming being a minor but typical example- I'll wager one will find little on one's more minor-celebrity ancestors elsewhere. And true, anyone can alter most Wiki things and honest and dishonest errors can and do occur but I have actually seen more on the 'B' encyclopedia's web site and others- in fact those of us that use such resources for work purposes find the non-W sites laughable much of the time and no longer care to pay for them. So sure, check Wiki entries but they deserve respect for the very major internet resource they are!

Someday I may find myself running down the street and yelling, in the same manner the disturbed lady did for Brittany Spears, "LEAVE WIKI ALONE!"

[macwilkin]

I want to jump in and speak in defense of Wikipedia. First of all, they are the number one source of information on matters that most other information resources consider themselves too good for- TV programming being a minor but typical example- I'll wager one will find little on one's more minor-celebrity ancestors elsewhere. And true, anyone can alter most Wiki things and honest and dishonest errors can and do occur but I have actually seen more on the 'B' encyclopedia's web site and others- in fact those of us that use such resources for work purposes find the non-W sites laughable much of the time and no longer care to pay for them. So sure, check Wiki entries but they deserve respect for the very major internet resource they are!

Someday I may find myself running down the street and yelling, in the same manner the disturbed lady did for Brittany Spears, "LEAVE WIKI ALONE!"

As a librarian and a college instructor, I loathe Wikipedia because it (and google, for that matter) has become a research "crutch" for many students who don't want to crack a book or get their hands "dirty" researching.

We have a great poster in our library entitled "10 Reasons Why a Library is Better than the Internet", which is similar to the one found on this web page:

http://www.brcc.edu/library/10%20rea...20internet.htm

And yes, I know -- the irony of that list being on a web page!

While I don't necessarily believe Wikipedia is the Devil, it certainly is the lazy way to research. I tell my students that if they must use it, don't cite it -- see what sources may be listed on the article, and use them, provided they'r reliable.

Of course, the old Cold War mantra of "Trust, but verify" should apply to ANY source.

Regards,

Todd

[Bugbear]

Oh ya. Allways look at the sources, then go directly to the sources for your information, if possible. I usually look at the bibliography and works cited on all books during a research quest, too; that's where all the good leads are.

Good luck, Ancienne Alliance.