How to consult effectively on a submission - a checklist/flow chart for productive consultation

by Aryanhwy merch Catmael, (Sara L. Uckelman)

© 2004-2005 Sara L. Uckelman; all rights reserved

Names

Preliminaries

This will be your map for navigating the realms of documentation. Once you have an initial idea of where the submitter's priorities lie, you will know what directions to start looking in.

• 1. What language/culture and time period does the submitter have in mind?
• 2. What is the name intended to mean?
• 3. How do they pronounce the name?
• 4. What part is most important - spelling? sound? meaning? language? time-period?

Paperwork

• 5. Have they provided any documentation of their own?
  • Yes. Go to 5a.
  • No. Go to 6.
  • 5a. Does the documentation provide dates for each element and the construction?
    • Yes. You're good to go.
    • No. Go to 6.

Web searches

• 6. Go to the Medieval Names Archive, and go to the culture relevant for your client. Can you find the element in any of the articles listed there?
  • Yes. Print out two copies of the article, making sure that you include the URL and the date printed.
  • No. Go to 7.
• 7. Search the Academy of Saint Gabriel's archive of past reports (the link as at the bottom of the page). Can you find the element in any of the reports listed there?
  • Yes. Go to 8.
  • No. Go to 9.
• 8. Does the report support the use of the element as a period name?
  • Yes. Print out two copies of the report, making sure that you include the URL and the date printed.
  • No. Go to 9.
• 9. Does any element appear in the OandA?
  • Yes. Go to 9a.
  • No. Go to 10.
  • 9a. Are any of the registrations from within the last three years?
    • Yes. Go to 10.
    • No. Go to 11.
• 10. Go to the Letter of Acceptance and Return for that registration and see if the LoAR says anything useful. Does it?
  • Yes, the LoAR citation provides a dated reference to a name in a standard book, or declares the name SCA-compatible, or otherwise provides evidence for registerability. Cite that entry on the LoAR as your documentation.
  • No, the LoAR provides no comment, or no useful comment. In that case, save this information as a last ditch effort. You may be able to contact the principal herald of the kingdom of registration, who may be able to put you in contact with the appropriate holder of the files who can tell you what documentation was used for that previous submission. Proceed to 11.

Book searches

• 11.