Hi Darren,
Absolutely. I well remember how you were and still are a serious researcher. There are many people out there in the world who have become interested in the Titanic since the Cameron film came out. Like many of us back in the 1980s and 90s, we desired to learn more about this historical tragedy and how fortunate we were to be able to speak and correspond with some of those who went through that terrible night.
My post was not directed at you, but a few others who always seem to react so quick to stomp on well meaning individuals who seek information about Millvina. It reminds me of a few Titanic researchers who formed a ring around Ruth Blanchard back in the 1980s. Ruth loved to correspond with people, but some of her self appointed protectors, researchers who had managed to contact her before she became well known in Titanic groups, were always quick to intercept her mail and discourage others from trying to meet with her. It just struck me as being selfish when these researchers contacted Ruth just as others tried but quickly detoured others away from their "personal survivor".
I know that Millvina is frail, but that she still has her faculties and is capable to making decisions on her own. If she feels overwhelmed or bothered by all the mail she receives, I am sure she would alert the officials at the rest home where she resides to assist her with correspondence. Other Titanic researchers who visit her regularly should also offer to lend a hand. I know from speaking to Millvina that she enjoys the attention and likes to receive mail from all over the world - this is why I know she is quite capable of handling her affairs.
There are people out there who are only interested in exploiting Millvina, and those individuals and that particular correspondence should be handled and dealt with carefully. It is good that Millvina is charging those individuals money for her signature, after all, they are profiting from her autograph. But to those schoolkids and honest folk who are thrilled to writing to the last person left alive who survived the world's most famous shipwreck, I think it a shame that some researchers take the attitude they do.
In closing, Darren, I just wanted to let you know that I wasn't responding or directing my concerns to you. I know the type of person you are having corresponded with you over the years. You have kindly shared the information you acquired from families of survivors (such as the Greenfields and the Potters) on ET, and I was so glad to see this new material. We, as Titanic researchers, are grateful when we all learn from each other's work. No one person is the know all on every aspect of the Titanic's story - although some feel that they are.
Having been a member of ET since its inception, I have seen many researchers "come and go" and the behaviour and comments they exhibited and continue to do is sometimes shocking. Most of the bad apples are gone, for the Titanic sometimes brings out the worst in people. It is true of all things in life. Some were great contributors but they had an evil or sadistic side that unfortunately caused their demise. Some couldn't couldn't play fair or had hidden agendas. I can only thank Phil Hind for having to endure the personalities of some on this site. I think Phil Hind deserves a monument to his having to deal with some of the people who have brough disharmony to the message board.
I was wondering if you have been in touch with the Crolius family recently, Darren. I haven't been in contact with them for years and was wondering how Tom and Pat were doing.
Best regards,
Mike Findlay
