Out of respect for the researchers, I would be inclined to respect the potential authors' wishes about posting information in any forum without their express permission. However, I have found at times it is necessary to include a small portion of another researcher's work that has been incorporated into one's own research when trying to make a possible "connection" with someone doing work on the same surname(s). The way I interpret this is if it is a small amount of information and the source of the information is cited, no copyright infringement has occurred. I'm not sure who dictates what is "small". Otherwise, what is the use of these forums in the first place? In my opinion, any good genealogist/researcher is not going to depend solely upon these email "messages" and other electronic data being transferred over the internet to document their family lineage. I look at them more as "possible clues and/or leads", but certainly not definite proof of anything. It could also be beneficial for the author. I have purchased books that I may never have known existed until I saw it cited in a message, etc. These are just my random thoughts on this subject. Would love to hear other opinions! Heide Patricia Tidmarsh wrote: > Four of my surnames, for which I administer lists, plus variants, have > major researchers who have in the past shared their information on BBS or > private mailing lists or email Some are planning to publish and do not > wish the information which they have formerly shared to be sent to the > current Rootsweb lists by third, or even fourth parties (who may not be > aware they are using someone else's research). > > Has anyone else had this situation come up and how have they handled it. > > Thanks > > Patricia > > ============================== > Caught an error in the Social Security Death Index? > Use RootsWeb's POST-EMS to post a note about it! > http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com/