From: "Gill Smith" <[email protected]> > I don't object to doing look-ups for anyone who is just starting out. > It's not seen as taking advantage if you can help someone. > > Rootschat UK is a free site where help and look ups are freely given > and it's a pity that ethos isn't more widespread. What a ridiculous > fuss about an innocent request. Gill> We will have to agree to disagree, I'm afraid. You seem to miss my point. I do not object to helping newcomers - far from it, that's what my 8,500-word Newbies' Guide is for - but I will not do other people's research for them. That way they never learn anything! I am a firm believer that everyone should at least read one decent book on how to research properly before being let loose on the Internet. The only way you can use the vast Internet genealogical resources is if you have had a proper grounding in the principles of PROPER research first. That means knowing the basics and, even better, actually going to record offices. Unfortunately, so many newcomers to genealogy have never done that, thus they flail around in the dark not knowing what they are doing. The end result is usually a totally inaccurate family tree which will be inflicted upon others - none of this helps genealogy in the long term. But, then, what do I know? I'm just a boring old fart to most, I expect, except that I am a professional and have been involved in genealogy and family history for 30 years. I am an old-fashioned genealogist and the whole thing seems to be going in a direction I don't much care for. It is full of untrained, uneducated people who have very little idea of what they are doing but think they can build a family tree without too much effort. Sorry - but it's not possible! -- Roy Stockdill Guild of One-Name Studies: www.one-name.org Newbies' Guide to Genealogy & Family History: www.genuki.org.uk/gs/Newbie.html "There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." OSCAR WILDE

Reading the comments from a few people on the list regarding your e-mails to me :- I rest my case. Regards Harry