Is Name Research an Art or a Service?

[STDDLY at TINY_TIM.SHSU.EDU]

> From:           Jennifer Kubenka <jkubenka at sun.cis.smu.edu>
> Subject:        Is Name Research an Art or a Service?
 
> When one researches names, naming practices, etc., and then uses that to 
> help other gentles with perfecting their persona names, why is it that 
> the helping of the other gentles is sometimes rewarded (maybe even years 
> later...) with some sort of Kingdom Award, but the actual researching, 
> the digging through massive piles of information, of dictionaries, of 
> annals and church registers, and so on, isn't ever even brought up for a 
> Sable Thistle in Research?
> 
> Is this not research?  Is it because the results are not as tangible, 
> say, as my needlework?
> 
> I do believe there is one example of a gentle receiving a Sable Thistle 
> for heraldic research, and I will supply the name if you think it germane 
> to this discussion.
>  
> I would really like to know what others think about this, as it is only a 
> theoretical, hypothetical question, but one that my lord Archibald and I 
> found interesting.
> 
> Emher ni Maille, Elfsea
> 
I think that you have a very valid point, heraldic research is just 
as valid a topic as research in any area. There is no reason that a 
gentle that does heraldic research cannot receive a Thistle or even 
an Iris for their endeavors. The depth of their studies, papers they 
write, and other tangible results of their study would indicate the 
level of award they would be considered for.

I am interested in seeing what the consensus of others is on this 
subject. Also, it's up to _you_ to fill out those award 
recomendations and send them in...

Heraldicly challenged...er, snowed...er, whatever...

A. Kief av Kiersted, Principal Herald Ansteorra

"Better the Hammer than the nail..."