It happens a lot—people writing about the Borden murders of 1892 (note the date) and getting it wrong. Not just partly wrong, but terribly wrong. Another case popped up today at Associated content.
I cannot begin to dissect the errors here, for not only are there factual mistakes, but the narrative is supremely disjointed. It ping-pongs around in time and thought, making the reading of the piece quite grueling.
So how does this happen? One theory is that writers Google Lizzie Borden and take the most sensational pieces and repeat misconceptions and errors. They do not understand that most of what they read on the internet is incorrect. They don’t source their facts, or know how to authenticate a site’s credentials. So they end up repeating someone else’s bad research.
Another reason why there might be so many incorrect web postings is that instead of doing any research at all, some writers make stuff up! Seriously! I have written some web authors asking for sources, politely, because I am always open to new research, and if they have made some discovery about the history of the case or of Lizzie herself, I am interested. Either I don’t get a response from the author/editor or they reply and tell me to go pound sand. It is difficult to suggest to authors that they have problems with their work. One has to be incredibly tactful and polite so as not to come off as arrogant or mean. I strive to be nice in my suggestions and when I ask for sources. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t take kindly to criticism. Instead, they would rather their work be wrong. I guess.
I took graduate level courses in research methodologies and principles in English, History, and Theatre for my Ph.D. I publish and edit The Hatchet: A Journal of Lizzie Borden and Victorian Studies, now in its seventh year of publication. I am fairly confident in my expertise in the area of research. So when I see such badly done non-fiction essays on a topic I happen to be an authority on, I feel peevish.
This blog is not about trashing anyone. But it is about correcting the record. And for what it is worth, you should not believe everything you read. You should check your sources. Confirm facts for yourself. Question authority. And check the bona fides of the author. Just a thought.
