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<DIV>There have always been genealogical exploiters, but the Internet compounds
the problem and makes it more visible. Back in the days when genealogy was
conducted in person or by mail, there was always a delicate negotiation
regarding data..."willing to share" was an offer with the implicit understanding
"you show me yours and I'll show you mine". There were even in those days,
people who wanted a peak at "yours" without giving you a peak at "theirs"...or
those who professed a willingness to share, but once they had your data, seemed
to forget your address. But for everyone of those who didn't play fair,
there were dozens who went above and beyond to help find illusive
ancestors. I've had people send me family Bibles and other valuable family
papers and photographs to copy and who trusted me to return them. As a
result, I've always been willing to share with other researchers. My
irritation is with the companies who have gathered family data from willing
donors, and have in turn sold the access to that data...and the cost of access
is far more than I believe it should be. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I also have gripe with the "geezer collectors". An example of this in
my own family is a very distant relative who made contact with my father.
My dad has never had an interest in genealogy, but he did have files of my
research that I'd downloaded on his computer on the off-chance that the family
history might interest him. He, without a second thought, passed
my research on to this woman and they began a brisk and cordial internet
correspondence. To my irritation, this was the same woman that I had
e-mailed several times and received no response...probably because
I expressed an interest in sharing data and clearly her interest was not in
sharing, but in gathering. Shortly after my dad gave her my research,
I found it posted on several "for pay" sites...and I knew it was mine because it
contained several errors that I had not had a chance to correct on his
computer!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>But, I refuse to let a few bad apples spoil my climb up the apple
tree! The Internet has been far more of a blessing than a
curse for me, and for genealogists in general. I get somewhat of
a kick out of looking at various versions of some of my family lines found
here and there online. I can usually tell the ones that I've
contributed to by some of the obscure facts included. Old-time
map makers used to put in a bogus city here and there as a copyright
mechanism. This seems like a good idea for genealogists who want to
trace the journey of their files on line!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Carla</DIV>
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