The Beeb reports British phone books dating as far back as 1880 are to be published online for the first time. Early phone books offered tips on how to use the receiver – “the lips should be almost touching the mouthpiece and there is rarely need to shout” – and to “announce your identity at once upon receiving a call”.
More than 280m names, numbers and addresses in 1,780 British phone books will be online following a 26-month project by Ancestry.co.uk.
But . . . why?
I can see this infomation being of some use to perhaps geneologists and historians, but otherwise this strikes me as a waste of time, energy, and resources. The info is outdated and doesn’t appear to be of any use in promoting the advancement of humanity.
Save the easily offended: ban everything.
You answered your question
Let’s see. A private firm that deals in genealogical support documents is digitizing information that will be “of some use to perhaps genealogists and historians.” Perhaps? Absolutely is more like it. It strikes me as a perfectly reasonable use of Ancestry.com’s money…one that will no doubt attract more subscribers.
Cost of publication
Hi
Whilst I support the availability of previously unavailable information, in that it assists everyone to complete their family history, it appears to me that those who offer the service are exploiting their access to the data and are seeking to make a very healthy profit from it.
Why is it not available without what appears to be such a high surcharge on the information?
Personal Information
Further to the previous comment I support the publication of material which can lead to a better understanding of the history of of our forefathers, our roots. It appears to be regretable that those who hold these details do not offer a reasonably priced membership package which gives access to all facilities offered.
It may be that they do, perhaps I haven’t found it yet.