I really need some advise! I have been doing research on my family for over 15 years. I have accumulated lots of wonderful information, and I have plans to publish my work in the future. As you all know, genealogy is becoming the "IN" thing to be doing now, especially on the net. Here is my problem. A close family member, who has never been interested in our family history before, is about to take MY work and publish it on his own. I shared the information freely, but reluctantly, (a simple ged-com file, and some photos only), because he said that I was being stingy by not sharing. I made it clear, and have been making it clear for years, that I am going to publish a book. In the beginning, he led me to believe that he was only wanting the information for his own children, and that he didn't want to wait for me to publish it. He also didn't approve of the way I wanted to produce it--in book form, not on CD. (He's an arrogant control freak!) He has now chosen to burn the information on CD's. He says that he is going to put my name on it as co-publisher. And he is going to give it out to anyone that wants a copy. (I'm afraid that he is going to try and sell it.) He also says that he has copyrighted it in both his name and mine. Although the data is mine, I do not want MY name on a production that I had nothing to do with. He has no genealogical experience, (although he thinks he's an expert) and the work will be lacking in so many ways--no stories, history, documentation and sources. I feel that he is only doing this for his own glory and for the money he thinks he can make by selling it on the net. I know that he will gladly take my name off of the CD's. That would only give him more credit for the work. But what should I do about him distributing MY work? And should I tell him to take my name off of the copyright? Or should I tell him that it is already copyrighted? This is all so confusing to me. Also, so many cousins, and fellow researchers passed along information to me. What if they see it back on the net? They might be upset with me. Suing him is not an option. He is too close of a relative, and I don't have the finances to do it anyway. I feel like I'm being robbed. All of my hard work is being stolen from me. Thank you for letting me "vent". I'd appreciate any comments and suggestions. Laura [email protected]