63. The Internet, genealogy sites start up

During the days when, in order to make written inquiries to other countries, people typed letters, addressed, stamped and mailed envelopes, then waited for weeks to get a response, I had already picked up valuable data for my various family lines, by inquiring in Switzerland when there was a lead.   This was the old-fashioned way to get records.    The results were effective but always sparse.  

Computer technology brought efficiency, speed and promise to research.   The Internet began developing, and as it did, the genealogy sites started up.   In time, they became useful, especially the various extensive databases, which provide many leads.   Checking some of the Internet genealogy sites over the early years, however, none of the general ones were helpful for my research.    One must have a foundation for his study and use good judgement to assess the accuracy of new data.    Data can be wrong, and information gets picked up, is spread and the errors go with it.     One cannot be too cautious when it comes to giving out or gathering data.