If I may, I believe folks might be a bit hasty here in condemning Katusha. Please remember that not everyone on this forum speaks English as well as everyone else and what may come across as being impolite may instead be misunderstood on either end.
(....)
I mean no disrespect, especially to Valmont and the Forum Administrator, whom I know to be both very knowledgable in this area. However, in asking your questions the way you did of Katusha, I fear she may not wish to answer them - nor would I blame her.
I know that the Forum has been flooded with "claimants", and it gets a bit tiresome, yes. But there are eyes of those who truly are related looking at this as well, who might be reticent to "speak up", especially if the welcome they are given is as such.
Just a thought.
Best to all,
Tasha
y'know, you make several very good points. as often as my poorly worded statements have been misunderstood (here and in life), i probably should have been less quick to assume she was being condescending... i must admit, though, when my Southern blood & upbringing tells me that someone is being condescending, they usually are. although it's much more difficult to judge these days (ie: the internet vs face-to-face). then again, my Southern manners should have kicked in and reminded me that a gentleman always,
always gives a lady the benefit-of-a-doubt. (i may be, and
am, many things....but i'm always {well, usually} a gentleman).
and you're correct about others (true descendants) being hesitant in the face of such glaring doubt. however, no-one can simply
expect to be believed. if we automatically gave credence to every statement of descent, this forum would probably be crawling with would-be princes & princesses, each one basking in the glow of our misplaced awe & admiration. and while i believe that, in most cases, no-one should ever feel the need to
prove who they are to anyone, in an arena such as this, if someone makes such a claim, they should be able and willing to "back it up".
in other words: if i make such a claim in this forum, i cannot simply assume or expect that i will be automatically believed. if i am who i claim to be, i shouldn't have any difficulty providing some sort of info (some family tid-bit or historical anecdote or
something) and while it may be tiresome, there really is no reason to object to such an explanation.
if we are expected to believe, show us why.i believe that everyone should be proud of who they are and where they come from, whether they're listed in the almanach de gotha or not. i also believe in everyone's right to re-invent themselves if they so wish....but skepticism is a tool that we need in order to make informed decisions and we
all run into it in various forms everyday. it would be foolish for anyone to believe they wouldn't run into it here. we should, however, be as polite as possible when we give voice to it.
i need to remember that.
