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I must Apologize for the stance I feel I am now forced to
take. As Caretaker of the family history I have in my possession your names
and images and of those who have passed. It is my duty to protect this
information for all our family.
I feel it is necessary to protect the history held in this
website from those who may be angry about there name being
displayed on the Family Tree page or their photo on the Historical Photo
page. Why do I say angry? I see no other reason why moving the photos to a
password protected area was not requested or even accepted as a solution?
This Website was created with the sole purpose to bring
family together. To facilitate reunions, to preserve family history, and
loving memories of days long since past; while embracing and archiving newer
generations of family. How anyone can come across their old childhood photos
displayed on the internet to download, print, save, and share, and feel
anything but a warming of the heart; I do not understand. To quote my father
as best I can "This website was created in the spirit of fellowship and
love. The well being of the many must out weigh the wants of the few". What
I have done here was done with such care and admiration for a family I have
never known to give much (to me anyway). If you think I over exaggerate ask
my father how often I have asked if as a child I committed some great wrong
to deserve your distain. Well I am a child no more and will not tolerate the
systematic destruction of the website I have worked so hard to build. Such
is my disappointment. If ever I am forced to pull down this website, I will
simply say the power of the pen is mighty indeed. If someone were to press
this issue and would not choose to simply show me the letter of the law that
states I am in the wrong. I would not choose to go to jail over this.
However, if you wish to meet in court I will see you there. This is where I
stand and stand firm I will..
For those of you more distant relatives who have shown
great support and have had nothing but praise; I thank you.
More than one person has now asked to have photos removed
and by doing so would have me remove all images with them in it. If I were
to do this it would end up removing many family photos with others in them.
I hope and must believe that these persons have not realized that by
removing all images with a specific person in them does not affect a single
person it effects our family community as a whole (This is where
I feel I must protect our family history for others). There are many other
family members that really do enjoy the photos area most especially. And I
must say that the feedback I have received has been all praise and positive
save two individuals; so far.
Example:
If my sister Marie were to ask to be
removed completely from this website. I would not only have to remove every
picture of her individually but every photo she is in. To include every
group photo she appears in, robbing every other person in that photo their
right to view or have those photos. This topic could
be a great area of compromise for the photos displayed here. As I am very
willing to remove individual photos of a non-historic value.
In one years time I have had two such requests and I am
now forced to wonder what the Historical Photos pages would look like ten
years from now; at this rate.
My Stance will be that to the best of my knowledge I am
breaking no laws and have not obtained these photos by any illegal means, I
am not defaming anyone’s character, these photo’s and information are my
property and I have the freedom of speech and the constitutional right to do
what I will with my property.
Example:
If reporters and paparazzi can
take celebrities pictures against their will and publish them.
I see no reason it would be
illegal for me to publish MY family photos; against your
wishes.
If I am wrong, and it can be shown to me that I do not
have this legal right. I will remove all photos of any living family member
from this website. |
