Greetings once again. I want to thank everyone on both the GENAUTHOR and COPYRIGHT lists for all of your wonderful comments and advice. What a response I got from my posting. And, there sure was a wide variety of opinions, from "You should sue!", to "Forgive and forget!". So many people asked me to keep them updated, so I thought that I'd let everyone know how I have decided to handle the problem of my "close relative" publishing MY work. First of all, there was a confrontation. One last time, I expressed my feelings about him publishing the information that I had given him. I also told him that I was hurt that he was going to do this when it meant so much to me. One thing led to another, and it ended with him insulting my genealogical abilities. After an evening of soul searching, and contemplating the advise that I'd received from the list, I have come to this conclusion. There is nothing I can do to prevent him from creating his CD's. Even if I had a legal argument, which is questionable, I cannot take that route. He is too closely related, and like someone said before, I don't want to end up the "Bad Guy" in the family. I guess it's just not worth it to me to make him my enemy. And, I don't want this burden on my heart. But, since I only gave him a ged-com (and a few photos), with no notes and sources, stories, etc., I don't believe that it will take away that much from the book that I wish to produce. The family will still be interested in what I have to offer, which will be much more interesting and informative. Also, he does not have the experience that I have, and therefore may not be able to distribute his work to a wide audience. He has told me now that he will not try to distribute it on the net. This is comforting, but I think he's a little naive. Even if he only gives out 10 copies, the chances are that someone will eventually put it on the net. When and if that time comes, I will have to write to various cousins who passed along their information to me. I don't want them to think that I would publish their work without their permission. I told him that I DO want my name as being the source of the research, but not as co-producer of the CD's. I thought hard on this. Although I am embarrassed to have my name on a work with no sources and documentation, I also don't want HIM to get all of the credit for doing it. Also, if someone runs across the CD's, maybe they will contact me. I will just have to explain the situation to people as I go along. I am also hoping that after he is done with his production, this will be the end of his interest. As I reflect on all of this, I still believe that as genealogists, we HAVE to share at least SOME of our work with others. Isn't that what genealogy is all about--sharing and learning about our relatives? We cannot be selfish or scared to share, or we undermine our own research. We cannot expect to collect information from others without giving them what they are looking for as well. I have always shared bits and pieces of my work with others who have asked. I will continue to do this. I cannot let this one bad apple destroy the enjoyment I get from sharing much sought after information with others. I wouldn't have all of the data that I have now, if it weren't for so many generous researchers out there. However, I won't make the mistake of giving my entire pedigree away again, as I did in this situation. I also think that the GOOD genealogists should pass along their expertise to the "newbies". We need to teach and expect others to always cite sources, and give credit where credit is due. I at least have the satisfaction of knowing that when I am done with my book, my relative will see that maybe he didn't do such a great job on his thrown-together version of our history. People will see his work for what it is. I will have a little retribution in the end. Thank you again to all who wrote to me with their thoughts. The uplifting, encouraging words really did give me comfort. I feel good about the decision I have made in this. Laura [email protected]