From: Moderator UFO UpDates - Toronto
Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 10:36:41 -0500
Fwd Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 10:36:41 -0500
Subject: Jan Aldrich To Quit?



The following post to Project 1947 yesterday afternoon was, to
say the least, a heart-stopper:

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Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 15:49:15 -0500
From: Jan Aldrich <jan@CYBERZONE.NET>
Subject: Leaving Ufology
To: PROJECT-1947@LISTSERV.AOL.COM


Dear List,

I have decided to leave ufology. I have thought out this course
very carefully. During the next week or so, I will try to fill
any outstanding commitments. Also, during this next week I
will reflect on my decision. (Good advice from Bob Girard.) If
at the end of the week I still feel this way, I will start
disposing of my holdings.

The 1947 material will go to CUFOS, material for the McDonald
archives will go to FUFOR and some special Blue Book material to
MUFON.

If someone wants to take over this list and website, we can try
to work out some kind of arrangement.

There are far too many good people here to thank properly. The
Project 1947 list is very rich in friends and fine people.

John Stepkowski and I have never met face to face, but he is one
hell of guy! What would you say, a Cyber-friend. One of the
coolest, funniest and most dependable people I've ever known.
John brought Bill's and Keith's writings to PJ47. What a coup!

There are a lot of knowledgeable people on this list, some
seldom post. Two who do post Joel Carpenter and Brad Sparks may
think that I don't appreciate the amount of thought and research
their writings represent. I recommend that everyone careful note
what they say even though you may disagree with them. When
everyone is thinking alike no one is thinking at all.

I thought the Sign Historical Group was an unique approach to
the UFO problem. I put in a lot of effort on it. This last week
some of the members themselves seem to want to tear it apart. We
couldn't just have disagreements, it had to be scorched earth.
After being on the telephone for hours, and sending a large
number of E-mails, it occurred to me that I had this week free
to write things for the Project 1947 website, but hadn't been
able to get a line down because of what was going on. This was
too much.

It appears to be time to move on to other things.

I shall stay on the list for the next two weeks for those who
have questions or things they want to discuss.

Thanks.

Best regards,

Jan Aldrich

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The premature loss of Jan Aldrich does not bear thinking about.

There are few people I admire in this field more than Jan
Aldrich. His dedication to historical research has become legend
among those who know his work. His no nonsense approach and his
tireless energy in archives around North America have been an
inspiration to literally dozens of serious researchers around
this planet. His by-invitation-only e-mail list, PROJECT 1947
has become _the_ discussion base for researchers worldwide.

Jan booted-up his Net-presence on UFO UpDates, shortly after he
visited Sue and I along with Tom & Lise Theofanous here in
Toronto in 1996, whilst looking for material for Project 1947.
There are few in this field that Tom speaks about with even more
hushed-tones than usual. As Tom put it "Jan's a real researcher's
researcher."

Speaking for those 'frostbacks' who have benefited greatly from
Jan's tireless work in the past...

Jan, think twice and then a third time. You cannot be replaced
and should you decide to quit, your loss will severely retard
the work. Besides which, 'they' will win - again.

Errol