Accusations of plagiarism have once again been made against author, speaker, and website publisher, Barry Ewell.
On 11 March 2016, Thomas MacEntee presented evidence of alleged plagiarism by Barry Ewell of information written by Kimberly Powell. See “Review: Google Guide for Genealogy: 1001 Ways to Search the Internet Like a Genealogist,” GeneaBloggers (http://www.geneabloggers.com). Thomas purchased a copy of Barry’s book, Google Guide for Genealogy: 1001 Ways to Search the Internet Like a Genealogist. In reviewing the content he found “much of the information can easily be located on the Internet, including entire articles by other authors.” As an example, Thomas presented a side-by-side comparison of about 20 paragraphs from a Kimberly Powell article, copied without attribution. Thomas verified with Kimberly that she had not given permission to Barry to copy her work. Here are a few of the paragraphs Thomas presented:
Kimberly Powell | Barry Ewell Alleged Plagiarism |
Step One: Search for the Source | Step One: Search for the Source |
Whether its a personal Web page or a subscription genealogy database, all online data should include a list of sources. The key word here is should. You will find many resources that don’t. Once you find a record of your great, great grandfather online, however, the first step is to try and locate the source of that information. | Whether it’s a personal web page or a subscription genealogy database, all online data should include a list of sources. The key word here is should. You will find many resources that don’t. Once you find a record of your great, great grandfather online, however, the first step is to try and locate the source of that information. |
Look for source citations and references – often noted as footnotes at the bottom of the page, or at the end (last page) of the publication | 1. Look for source citations and references – often noted as footnotes at the bottom of the page, or at the end (last page) of the publication. |
Check for notes or comments | 2. Check for notes or comments. |
This is not the first time Barry has published a book containing information copied from the web without attribution. In 2012 Barry Ewell published a book that copies from the website of the 1997 KBYU Ancestors series.
KBYU Ancestors Series Website | Barry Ewell Book |
The content varies somewhat by religion with Scandinavian Lutheran, for instance, generally providing more details. | Information will vary somewhat by religion, with Scandinavian and Lutheran, for instance, generally providing more details. |
Minutes or communicant lists can also be helpful in reconstructing family history. The sudden disappearance of a couple from the list may signify their departure from the community. The disappearance of one but not the other may indicate death, an important clue if the death records no longer exist. They may also contain information as to where some moved… They also help you to learn more about what your ancestors were like and how they worshiped. | Minutes or Communicant Lists. These records can be helpful in reconstructing family history. The disappearance of a couple from the list may signify their departure from the community. The disappearance of one but not the other may indicate death, an important clue if the death records no longer exist. These lists may also provide insight as to where persons have moved. These records also help to build a picture of what your ancestors were like and how they worshipped. |
Source: “Other Church Records,” Ancestors (http://www.byub.org/ancestors/records/religious/intro4.html). | Source: Barry J. Ewell, Family Treasures: 15 Lessons, Tips, and Tricks for Discovering Your Family History (Cedar Fort, Utah: Plain Cite Publishing, 2012), 326; digital images, Google Books (https://books.google.com/books?id=mjkJ0TmDOu4C). |
Other parts are obvious copies as well. The list of denominational archives on pp. 81-2 of Barry’s book is such an exact copy of the list at http://www.byub.org/ancestors/records/religious/extra.html, he even copied the alphabetization problems of the BYU website.
Barry Ewell has also copied information from the web for newspaper articles. On 27 April 2013, the Salt Lake City Deseret News published a story written by Barry Ewell titled “Genealogy: Use and Record What You Learn.” The editor has appended this notice:
Editor's note: The original version of this story posted on April 27, 2013, failed to properly attribute all source materials, which violates our editorial policies. The story was revised on March 19, 2014, and attribution to original sources were added. A version of this column also appeared in the print edition of the Deseret News on August 8, 2013. The Deseret News demands accuracy in attribution and sourcing and considers any lapses to be a serious breach of ethics. The Deseret News is no longer publishing Barry J. Ewell's writings. (http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865579049)
That story presently attributes information to a FamilySearch wiki article, “A Guide to Research.” (https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/A_Guide_to_Research)
The Deseret News published another Barry Ewell article on 6 July 2013 (“Genealogy: Five steps to finding ancestors”) which now bears the same notice (http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865582698). That story presently attributes information to the same FamilySearch Wiki article.
The Deseret News published another Barry Ewell article on 7 September 2013 (“Use Your Camera to Document Family History Research”) which now bears the same notice (http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865585957). That story presently attributes information to a Dennis Ridenour article published in the 1 February 2003 issue of UpFront with NGS newsletter (http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/NGS/2003-02/1044160664) and a Maureen Taylor article, “Tips for Photographing Gravestones: Documenting Without Damage” (http://www.genealogy.com/articles/research/64_gravestones.html).
Sound like a broken record?
The Deseret News published another Barry Ewell article on 14 September 2013 (“Share Oral History Between Generations”) which now bears the same notice (http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865586360). That story presently contains one unattributed quote and attributes a FamilySearch wiki article, “Involve Children and Youth in Family History” (https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Involve_Children_and_Youth_in_Family_History). Ironically, an Iranian website plagiarized Barry’s original article, should you wish to read it. (Google search for “ever be grateful that I was able to visit my relatives in Iceland.”)
The Deseret News published another Barry Ewell article on 30 November 2013 (“Sharing family history: Write and share your story”) which now bears the same notice (http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865591494). That story presently attributes information to FamilySearch, Kimberly Powell, Laura Weldon, Lorelle VanFossen, and a Ginger Hamer.
Barry Ewell has also copied information from the web for his videos, according to Thomas MacEntee in a 10 March 2014 article titled “Plagiarism: A Venereal Disease in the Genealogy Community” (http://www.geneabloggers.com/genealogy-plagiarism-venereal-disease/).
One trick that Ewell uses is to embed content in videos – content which is not easy to compare with an original source since much of it is in the form of audio or images: Listen to the audio at http://genealogybybarry.com/7-slideshow-series/arician-american-research/ and then read http://www.prattlibrary.org/locations/afam/index.aspx?id=3000#Why.
On 6 July 2013, DearMYRTLE published an example alleging Barry Ewell had plagiarized Cyndi Howells’ interview on the Ancestors television show. (See “Is There Such a Thing as Ethical Plagiarism?” on DearMyrtle: Your Friend in Genealogy Since 1995.)
Cyndi Howell | Barry Ewell Alleged Plagiarism |
It is important to know that vital records searches are most useful for finding relatively recent information. With some exceptions, most U.S. states did not assume legal responsibility for vital records until around the turn of the last century. The first to start keeping vital records was Massachusetts in 1841 and the last was New Mexico in 1920. | It is important to know that vital record searches are most useful for finding relatively recent information. Most US states did not assume legal responsibility for vital records until around 1900. The first state to start keeping vital records was Massachusetts in 1841, and the last was New Mexico in 1920. |
Barry also copies other people’s information for his blog. Consider a single article, “Sharing Family History: Write and Share Your Story” (http://genealogybybarry.com/sharing-family-history-3-write-share-story/ : 21 November 2015). As of the date of this writing, none have attribution even though Barry copied the entire article almost word-for-word.
Originals | Barry Ewell Blog |
Create a Family Newsletter Source: “Involve Your Extended Family in Family History,” FamilySearch [Wiki] (https://familysearch.org/wiki : rev 14:33, 30 May 2012). | Create a family newsletter |
Scrapbook Your Family Heritage | Scrapbook your family heritage |
Develop a book of family lore. Compile family recipes and any anecdotes that go with these foods. Add family sayings, funny stories, traditions, timelines, anything you’d like to record for coming generations. Source: “26 Ways to Make History Relevant,” Laura Grace Weldon (http://lauragraceweldon.com/2011/08/10/making-history-relevant/ : 10 August 2011). | Develop a book of family lore Compile family recipes and any anecdotes that go with these foods. Add family sayings, funny stories, traditions, timelines, anything you’d like to record for coming generations. |
A family history blog is a chronological posting of articles, stories, news, tips, and information on the family’s history. The website is dynamic, with the front page changing with the addition of new material. It is also interactive, as comments are allowed, giving people an opportunity to comment and give feedback on the information you have to offer. A family history blog can be maintained by one person or dozens. Source: Lorelle VanFossen, “What Do You Put Into Your Family History Blog?” Family History (http://family.cameraontheroad.com : 30 January 2007). | Write a family history blog A family history blog is a chronological posting of articles, stories, news, tips, and information on the family’s history. The website is dynamic, with the front page changing with the addition of new material. It is also interactive, as comments are allowed; giving people an opportunity to comment and give feedback on the information you have to offer. A family history blog can be maintained by one person or dozens. |
If your children are too young to keep journals | Encourage family members to keep journals If your children are too young to keep journals |
These examples have been easy to find, but I’ve run out of time. I will leave you with one final example.
Michael Hait reported on 7 July 2013 that some of his work had been plagiarized by Barry Ewell. (See “Copyright, Plagiarism, and Citing Your Sources” on Planting the Seeds: Genealogy as Profession.) In the slides attached to the blog post, he presented side by side comparisons to illustrate the plagiarism. For example, one set of slides shows this:
Michael Hait | Barry Ewell Alleged Plagiarism |
GET LOCAL | Get local |
Know the geography of the area in which your ancestors lived, not just physical terrain but also political jurisdictions. | Know the geography of the area in which your ancestors lived, not just physical terrain but also political jurisdictions. |
Know the laws that governed your ancestors’ time. Know the local history – the local leaders, the local churches, the common occupations of the area at that time. | Know the laws that governed your ancestors’ time. Know the local history – the local leaders, the local churches, the common occupations of the area at that time |
All of these help to recreate the world in which your ancestors lived, and all of your “evidence” was created. | All of these help to recreate the world in which your ancestors lived, and all of your “evidence” that was created |
After 26 slides of comparisons, Michael asks, “Plagiarism? You Be the Judge.”
Note: Sources are either cited inline or, in the cases of examples from other websites, cited in those respective articles. All websites were accessed the weekend of 27 March 2016. The illustration comes from Merlin2525, “Do Not Copy Business Stamp 2,” Openclipart (https://openclipart.org/detail/172061).