Getting back to the original post...
In some ways research in the future is going to be easier, as more older paper records get digitised, and newly created records that are digital from the start. It will also probably a lot easier to build a picture of an our daily lives, as so much more of it is recorded in many different formats now.
And just think, a lot of it will be more legible and no need for somebody to take a crack at deciphering somebodies chronic bad handwriting!
But there will be other sources within families, stocks of pictures and video's that will depict daily lives, not just the odd snap shot that we often have now..
As to using your name in forums....
After experiencing cyber bullying, I used to be a moderator on a very large forum bigger than this one, which led to the need of police involvement, and I wasn't using my name either...
Just shows what can happen, when things go wrong... On this forum, yes I do use the name I'm known by but only my first name...
Guy, don't agree with what you say, is good manners, Yes face to face with somebody it's good manners go give your correct name, or in my case the name I'm normally known by.. But not on the internet, as you're not face to face with somebody, you can't see or hear the person you are interacting with, so have no clue what's so ever whether they are a possible friend or foul...