Hi All. I just have to add my two cents here. Many years ago I started my Waring family surname search. I concentrated my research on ALL the lines believing that my work might help others. When I finally concentrated my search on my own line I was able to take my line back 4 generations farther than any other research studying my line thanks to my efforts but mostly through the work of very, very great friends that I met along the way on the net (lots from this list). At that time I too felt possessive of my research, until one day, I found a close relative that claimed to have tons of original documents on my GGGrandfather. I went to visit with her and agreed before hand I had ALL of my family documentation with proofs to trade. When I got there I took the time to go through her copy of my book and explain things to her, then she literally pushed me out the door with the book still on the couch. Since then we have had other original documents including an ancient Waring bible disappear from other family members and I think I know where they are. Instead of feeling really ticked off and quiting the whole thing I decided to take something negative and turn it into a positive. I started a Waring one name study group, gathered 84 Waring researchers around the world and led them for 5 years until our web site was yanked out from under us. Most of my members came to understand that the only way to break down our individual walls was to open up our books to each other and share what we have with the rest of the group. Those that had payfor sites opened up their hearts and did research for others. Those that had access to special library priviledges also did the same. We built up quite a study, and had a lot of fun, even had a reunion of all the lines in Virginia. One of the members was my best friend and she and her family paid my way to Australia for a 12 day visit. We started to Waring Family Journal that has been on three continents. Each person puts something down for posterity, whatever they want within reason, four pages per person maximum. How has that worked? One person held it hostage for a year because she disagreed with something someone wrote about her grandfather. We rescued the book finally. Anywho, the whole point of this message is you have nothing to gain by keeping the info quiet. You have no personal claim to it other than your hard work which all who use it should give you a hardy thank you and you have everything to gain if you do open up your heart to others. Stay away from pay sites, they will steal your work and charge others for it. Thank you, thank you to all those who have helped me. Don M., Graham, Maureen etc. So many friends and not enough time. PS. I'm going back to Australia for a visit in a few years. I just love to travel. God Bless, Renee L. Waring The Little Red Hen **************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here. (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)