Greetings Dorcas!I do not know if I am reading what you said right, but it sounds like you thought I meant that newcomers should have to do their own name research. That is not what I intended to say here, or what I meant in my blog. The idea was to let folks know how name research is done. And I do feel such resources as lists of names would be helpful for newcomers to see so they could choose a name that a herald could then research for them and document, Part of the problem I have been seeing is that folks do not know what choices they have as far as names go. They do not know for example Offa may be available for them if they are wanting a 9th century Anglo-Saxon persona. A simple list would be handy for that. They could look at a list of names and pick one they like and then go to a herald with their choice(s). I know many would rather not have to go looking for sources to document a name. It would be like expecting me to research weaving just to have a surcoat made. It is not going to happen as I have no interest there. Anyway, I did not want you thinking I meant newcomers should have to learn all the rules, how to document a name, learn how to submit a name and device, and such. I feel a herald should do that kind of work if the person does not have an interest in anything other than getting their name submitted and registered. I do apologize for poorly wording my statement, and my blog post, and giving the wrong impression. I am a writer and should know better how to explain what I mean. And I also apologize if I took what you said the wrong way.In Service,Wulfhere of Eofeshamme Amlesmore HeraldOn Fri, May 9, 2014 at 2:15 PM, Dorcas Whitecap <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
herald since A.S. 26Dorcas Whitecap2. I have no problem whatsoever with the fact, which you pointed out, that "newcomers will never know of [these resources] unless some herald points them to them." Of course I'll help somebody with finding a name. That's my job. That's my joy. There's no reason why they should have to do all the research, and learn all the rules, if they just want to register a name and/or device. If they want to become a herald, I'll help with that also. But if that's not their passion, okay. It's mine.1. You are a new herald. There is a lot you don't know -- yet. You'll gain expertise over time, but there's no reason to expect you'll ever know all there is to know about heraldry. And that's OKAY! Ask any fighter, ask any artisan, they'll tell you there's always more to learn about their craft, whatever it is. Heraldry is just the same.Two points:Wulfhere said:
" Here I am a fairly new herald and I did not even know of these resources despite having been trained and hanging out on various heraldric forums. It is very probable then that newcomers will never know of them unless some herald points them to them."