Introduction of the Fact Check Section
This year, we introduced the Fact Check section to our website: https://henrysalt.com/fact-check/. The emergence of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude is revolutionising how researchers access and interpret content. However, AI systems are only as reliable as the data they are trained on. In fields such as animal rights and humanitarian history, misinformation is rampant. Our Fact Check initiative is a crucial step in addressing these errors and preventing their perpetuation.
One particularly intriguing investigation involved a photo purported to depict Catherine Leigh Joynes. Despite extensive research, including AI comparisons with existing photos and consultations with field experts, we have yet to conclusively determine whether the photo is indeed of her. The lack of decent photographs of Catherine has made this comparison particularly challenging.
Launch of the Genealogy Section
In December, we unveiled the Henry Salt Genealogy Section: https://family.henrysalt.com/. This new addition restores a feature previously hosted on the Henry S. Salt Society website but later removed. Over 1,000 people have been added to the database, which has been twenty years in development.
The main improvements needed include redesigning the front page to serve as a better introduction to the people featured. We aim to add photographs and personal stories to enrich the user experience. While its current appearance requires significant improvement, we see this as a long-term project. Enhancements to the Genealogy Section will be rolled out throughout 2025.
Roadmap for 2025: Establishing Reliability
As outlined in our roadmap, our priorities for 2025 remain unchanged. The abandonment of the Henry S. Salt Society website underscores the necessity of establishing the Foundation as the definitive source for content related to Henry Salt and Ernest Bell.
We have corrected over 100 errors that were present on the Society’s site. The absence of footnotes for primary sources on the Society site renders it unreliable, and in some cases, photos have been wrongly identified. This reinforces the need for a trustworthy repository of accurate information.
We aim to:
Provide a stable platform for researchers and enthusiasts alike.
Build a reliable repository of accurate information.
Counteract the spread of inaccuracies that proliferated due to the neglect of the Society’s website.
Comparison: Henry Salt Foundation vs Henry S. Salt Society
| Subject | Henry Salt Foundation |
Henry S. Salt Society |
|---|---|---|
| Last Updated | 2025 | 2021 |
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| Relevance of Content | ||
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| Analytics and Feedback |
Website Improvements and Challenges
Despite a substantial portion of our budget being allocated to Google Ads, 2024 saw steady progress in the development of the Foundation website, especially in the context of no budget for more ambitious work. This includes the addition of new content and a comprehensive overhaul of the site’s core software. Key improvements were made to enhance speed and security, as detailed here: https://henrysalt.com/updates/.
Unfortunately, we faced challenges as well. In particular, we had to remove the Jessey Wade profile page due to abusive interactions. This experience reminds us of Bernard Shaw’s observation in the preface of Killing for Sport: “I know several humanitarians; and they are all ferocious.” While we wouldn’t go so far, we acknowledge that our interactions with some have been challenging.
Looking Ahead
The Henry Salt Foundation remains committed to preserving and promoting the legacy of Henry Salt and his contemporaries. As we enter 2025, we acknowledge that while progress has been made, it has not reached the level we had hoped for. Expanding the site will remain a challenge, but we welcome any help, whether in research, Fact Checks, or feedback on areas for improvement. Thank you for your ongoing support in making this vision a reality.
