Is it right to post someone else's genealogy when you were told not to write about them?

Question

When a close friend died she entrusted me with secrets. However, she made it very clear I was not to write them. Now I feel I wish to reveal the least embarrassing part of the genealogy. Is it right for me to post it?

Or should I just keep the secret buried?

Answer 1

It definitely is not the thing to do. Amongst the People, lying is considered the same as murder.

Keep your word and don't whisper, write, publish, tell or otherwise communicate what was entrusted to you.

Also, I have problems with my personal genealogy due to errors made by persons unknown. Don't mess up any one's family tree!

Answer 2

I think you're asking the question because you know, in your heart, that you really must honour your friend's request.

In researching my family tree, I've unearthed secrets (or others before me discovered them) that were buried for centuries and the initial reaction is always, Oh, really, we should have known about this! as in, We have a right to know! But have we, really? It was someone else's life; and someone else's shame or tragedy. It was someone else's secret.

And in this case, it should remain your friend's secret.

Answer 3

yes it is the right thing to do

Answer 4

If she trusted you with her secrets and asked you not to reveal them, and you agreed to honor her request, then KEEP YOUR WORD to your dying friend and DON'T publish or otherwise reveal them!!!

Its not your place to decide what part of her genealogy is "least embarrassing" -- obviously ALL of it was embarrassing to her, that's why she wanted it kept secret!

What part of "Don't write about my personal genealogy" do you not understand???  GEEZ!!

Answer 5

Of course not!

Honor her wishes, and your promise, implied or explicit.

Answer 6

If she was really your friend, and if you promised not to do it, then ethically you should honor your promise. What purpose is served by breaking the promise when the majority of genealogy in this world is only important to the family involved? If her family wants to research their genealogy, let them do it on their own. Nothing good is served if you break your promise and open secrets after she's dead.