Overwhelmed Newbie

chuckciao · Post by **chuckciao** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:10 pm

Dear Bordenites,
I am totally overwhelmed each and every time I log on to the site. Thinking that I have a modicum of knowledge of the Borden Case, I am introduced to new threads from years ago that deal with issues in greater detail than I can imagine. Where does one begin to ask questions that have been chewed over ad nauseum. Kudos to all of you that have spent so much time discussing this eternally fascinating case.

shakiboo · Post by **shakiboo** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:24 pm

I understand where your coming from, I've only been on a little over a year and still am in awe of all the knowlegde this site possesses. But the people here have been great, sharing their knowledge, and answering questions or pointing in the right directions. You really could not ask for a bunch of nicer people!! Even if it's something they've been over before, they don't seem to mind going over it again. Which of course helps the one's who weren't here before when it was discussed. So, don't lose heart, if you have an idea or a speculation bring it out, you'd be surprised at the responses and who knows, you might bring up an idea that hasn't been thought of before!!

doug65oh · Post by **doug65oh** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:40 pm

Well, the best advice I might dispense is to merely relax and enjoy yourself. Have no fear of raising any question or issue that intrigues you. If we've danced that particular foxtrot before - well, so be it. The dance might be the same, but the partner is new. Dip your toes in at first, and when the water feels fine just go at it.

Questions? The best place to begin is at the beginning. I'll leave you with this, which in a former life as a reference librarian I used to tell my patrons who began their queries with "This is a silly question but..." There isn't any such thing as a silly or foolish question - especially if you really want to know the answer.

Just for sake of your own convenience, if you do not have them at hand already, I would recommend that you download the two volumes of trial transcripts from the main site here. They are among the most oft-quoted items we use in here.

Don't even hesitate to ask about anything. We'll do the best we can to either answer your questions, or direct you to sources that will answer them.

Then too, you never know - you may teach us something.

Sound alright to you?

Best of luck!

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:11 am

What a really nice thing to say, chuckciao!
Thanks!!

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:52 pm

chuckciao, we have all levels of Bordenia knowledge on the forum and new members are welcomed and encouraged to actively participate.

No one knows it all and no one has solved the case. We just keep plugging along and there will be many times we re-hash previous posts. It's surprising how many new insights turn up that way.

BTW, forgot to welcome you. Welcome!

snokkums · Post by **snokkums** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:42 am

I still ask alot of questions; some of them have been asked a zillion times, and usually by me.
lol!!

Nadzieja · Post by **Nadzieja** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:38 pm

Welcome chuckciao, I totally understand the overwhelmed feeling. I've been here a year and don't even assume to know as much as alot of the people on this forum. However, you couldn't meet a nicer group of people. No question is too small. Everyone is treated with respect and you never know what theories people can come with. Some of them are really quite interesting. They really have helped me out quite a bit. My reading time is limited (especially when I work my 12 hr days) but the best advice I got was to read the book "Fourty Whacks" so I could have an overview of the case. Then I dove straight into the source documents. I'm still in the source documents but just enjoy, enjoy, enjoy the journey. It's like a treasure hunt, because when you start to pick up facts you never knew you start to get really hooked on this case. Again Welcome!!!

chuckciao · Post by **chuckciao** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:45 pm

Nadzieja @ Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:38 pm wrote:Welcome chuckciao, I totally understand the overwhelmed feeling. I've been here a year and don't even assume to know as much as alot of the people on this forum. However, you couldn't meet a nicer group of people. No question is too small. Everyone is treated with respect and you never know what theories people can come with. Some of them are really quite interesting. They really have helped me out quite a bit. My reading time is limited (especially when I work my 12 hr days) but the best advice I got was to read the book "Fourty Whacks" so I could have an overview of the case. Then I dove straight into the source documents. I'm still in the source documents but just enjoy, enjoy, enjoy the journey. It's like a treasure hunt, because when you start to pick up facts you never knew you start to get really hooked on this case. Again Welcome!!!

Thanks Nadzieja, I appreciate your kind words and have enjoyed my journey through the forum so far and am looking forward to continuing the journey.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:42 am

Chuckciao

Don’t forget to also check out all the other projects by Forum members, like The Hatchet: The Journal of Lizzie Borden Studies, the various blogs by the members including Mondo Lizzie which is in this portal, Pear Tree Press with its fine publications of the source documents, the Crime Library, the Research Services, the YouTube videos, etc. etc. And be aware that once or twice a year, Forum members actually go for a weekend at the Borden House and that’s a great opportunity to actually meet the people behind the Avatars.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:47 am

Do I smell a new Second Street Irregular- mutton eater in the making?

snokkums · Post by **snokkums** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:06 am

Hi Chuckciao, welcome to our corner of the world!

A really cool book to get to is the "Lizzie Borden Sourcebook". It has alot of newspaper clipping of the day. The trial was like the trial of century, kind of like the OJ Simpson trial was in this century. Also, get the "Trial of Lizzie Borden" by edmund Pearson. But, as it has been mentioned, this website has lots of info.

Dive in and enjoy! I sure do!

Snokkums