I checked with my daughter who is a law student specializing in intellectual property (copyrights, trademarks, etc.) She says the deal is that if you DON'T register your copyright, you can sue somebody for copyright infringement, but you don't have the right to recover damages. You might be able to force them to stop using your stuff, but you can't get any $$$.  f you DO register your copyright and win an infringement suit, you have the right to recover both statutory damages (meaning your particular state would determine the kind and amount of damages) and lawyer fees. If you created your material within the last 3 months, you're covered as if you had registered the copyright, because they assume you had the intent to do so. She says a copyright is considered prima facia evidence, which just means it's better than your word against mine in a court of law. Beverly missbev@theshop.net

I have come to the conclusion that I am the last of my line, THE LAST LIVING DESCENDENT!!! I have tried to be helpful to everyone that ask for my assistance but I really have found no information available for me, with one or two exceptions. Is it common for there not to be any help at all? I can sit in the local genealogy department and get that----unless my family lived here from the conception of mankind. I am frustrated and feel like not being any help at all but I know that is wrong, so I am to the conclusion that the only thing left for me to do is not post and see what comes up. Rusty

George is correct in that one doesn't have to "apply" for a copyright. I'm quoting from my business law book: Works created after January 1, 1978 are automatically given statutory copyright protection for the life of the author plus fifty years. <snip> A copyright owner no longer needs to place a [c-circle--you know what I mean but I don't know how to make the symbol] or R on the work to have the work protected against infringement. Back to my words: Having said that, however, the benefit to REGISTERING the copyright, which is what you do when you send $20, the form, and a copy of your work to the Library of Congress, is that it makes it a heck of a lot easier to prove that the work is truly yours. I can't find a reference in my book to back me up on this, but I think I remember my professer saying if you had registered your works and then you won a copyright infringement case in court, you were entitled to greater damages than if your work were unregistered, like you could maybe get punitive damages as well as real damages. Since I can't find the reference that says that, I won't swear that's true, but I can say without a doubt that if it came down to your word against somebody else's about who wrote something, it would probably be worth $20 to be able to prove without a doubt it was your work. And for what it's worth, you can't copyright ideas, only the particular way in which an idea is expressed, nor can you copyright facts that are widely known to the public, although compilations of facts (like your family history) are copyrightable. Beverly George Morgan said: >You do NOT need to "apply" for a copyright.  Simply by adding the >copyright sign, followed by the words, "Copyright 1998 [your name here] >- ALl rights reserved" you have preserved your rights.  Long past are >the days of applying to the Patent Office for a copyright. > >Mark and Peggy Perry wrote: >> At 10:42 AM 6/30/98 -0500, Ardis wrote: >> >Does the copyright laws effect family history books?  In other words, do >> >I need to get permission to print information for my family history >> >book?  The books would be printed strictly for our family members and >> >not for sale to the general public.  Besides the birth, marriage, and >> >death dates of family members, I'd like to include information and >> >history of places our ancestors came from. >> > >> >Thanks for any help you can give me. >> >Ardis >> >

What information can you give me with regards to find information of the Surname "Preston" from the parrish of Dalziel in the County of Lanark?

I know the feeling. A few of my lines seem quite similar--or perhaps the earliest known ancestor was either a) found under a cabbage leaf, literally or b) dropped off by aliens because there is no proof that can be found of birth & parentage. All I can say is: 1) try the surname lists for the name(s) in question. 2) try the regional lists where they are known to have lived. 3) try the ethnic list for the family's known/suspected ancestry. 4) keep trying--the lists are continually changing, maybe one of these days someone will know the line you're looking for. There are a lot of "lurkers" out there on many of the lists who never say much of anything. Your post may be the one they're looking for. Karen

In a message dated 7/1/98 6:42:54 PM Central Daylight Time, SG12452@aol.com writes: << GenTips-L@rootsweb.com >> Sometimes the names we're given as family birthplaces, etc. exist not as towns or even townships, but as other noteworthy places that only the "locals" know about. There was some of my family born at Friend, Colorado--turned out to be a mail drop. And there are friends from Pescadero Idaho--a railroad crossing. The locals know where they are, but if you ask at a library, they'll never find it on the map. Karen

I know the feeling Rusty. I have spent countless hours in my library doing lookups for others, but there just doesn't seem to be anything out there for me. I have even asked to receive any information about my Van Velsor line so that I can start tracking them from the other direction and eliminating those who cannot possibly be mine--nothing. Although I am happy for all those who are getting "hits" on their queries, it sure is discouraging. Julee ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

To Janis, Marcia, Pam and Others- For questions regarding cemetery plots or other aspects of cemeteries, burials, stone rubbings, etc, you might try asking folks at CEMETERY-L, a cemetery discussion group AND/OR CLA-L, a mailing list devoted to genealogical research concerning cemeteries. CLA-L has a web page at http://mininet.smu.edu/cla/ to answer questions regarding what the list is and isn't. Hope this helps. Laura Meeks, lmmeeks1@earthlink.net To post a message to the CEMETERY-L list send it to: CEMETERY-L@rootsweb.com To subscribe to the CEMETERY-L list for "regular" MAIL (individual messages), send a message to: CEMETERY-L-REQUEST@rootsweb.com in the body of the message type: SUBSCRIBE To subscribe to the CEMETERY-L list in DIGEST mode (a message with several posts in it), send a message to: CEMETERY-D-REQUEST@rootsweb.com In the body of the message type: SUBSCRIBE ---------------------------- Janis wrote: > > I was wondering how burials and cemetery plots were handled waaaay > back. Were there plots for sale or were they given to the deceased if > it was a church? If it was a private cemetery I imagine they were > buried there free? What about a large cemetery in a town? Were the > deceased's families charged for burial plots? I'm talking about 1850's > or before. > > Thank you very much > > Janis in AZ > > ==== GenTips Mailing List ==== > Support online research! Donate to the RootsWeb Genealogical Project! > See more information at: > http://www.rootsweb.com

Hi. I read recently that there is a book by an author, surname of Filby, who possibly published book or soundex ? of passenger lists of immigrants to the United States. If this is true, is there anyone out there who would do a lookup for one surname only. I promise, just one name... Thanks...........Mary

I thot is was great also, and I would like to see some ACTION on here. I don't know if it was the storm, the heat or what, but I have been getting VERY little mail again..Perhaps everyone is doing the summer gardening and ball game business! Marcia -----Original Message----- From: Pam Villanueva <pammijo@hotmail.com> To: GenTips-L@rootsweb.com <GenTips-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Wednesday, July 01, 1998 11:26 AM Subject: Re: CEMETERY PLOTS >Great question!! Please post the replies to the list. Thanks! >Pam in CA > >>Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 15:17:55 -0700 >>From: Janis <firefly@ctaz.com> >>Reply-To: firefly@ctaz.com >>Subject: CEMETERY PLOTS >>To: GenTips-L@rootsweb.com >> >>I was wondering how burials and cemetery plots were handled waaaay >>back. Were there plots for sale or were they given to the deceased if >>it was a church? If it was a private cemetery I imagine they were >>buried there free? What about a large cemetery in a town? Were the >>deceased's families charged for burial plots? I'm talking about 1850's >>or before. >> >>Thank you very much >> >>Janis in AZ >> >> >>==== GenTips Mailing List ==== >>Support online research! Donate to the RootsWeb Genealogical Project! >See more information at: >>http://www.rootsweb.com >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > > >______________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com > > >==== GenTips Mailing List ==== >Are you having trouble unsubscribing to the list? You can subscribe and unsubscribe to the lists we own from our web page at: >http://www.genrecords.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

Hello all, I thot I would post my Surnames in case there are any new subscribers lately. I would appreciate all help I can get. Maternal side BUSSELL, THORNTON, SANDERS, MOORE All in Arkansas traveling down to Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico Paternal Side MOORE, KISER, BAKER beginning 1797in South Carolina and Ending in Texas until present. Thanks Marcia

I am still trying to find out how to get a birth certificate on a IVAN FRANCES PENROSE Born July 9,1911 in around Polk Co.,Iowa but I'm NOT sure if Polk co. is the right count are not.I know he lived in Linn county in 1945-1950.Also his wife DEVENA MARION FRITZSINGER(FRITZINGER).Born June 25,1913 also somewhere in the state of Iowa.ANY help would be very much appreciated. Bessie turley@usit.net

Hi Pam, I have two infant deaths in my research. They were buried in Chicago abt. 1880 and 1881. Most information given to me so far is that it is likely they were buried in "term graves" and that, if I am lucky, records may remain at the cemetery office. A term grave is used again after the term has expired (generally 25 or 50 years). I gather this may have been a practice in Europe and continued in Chicago. Where else it was common I don't know. My grandparents are buried in a Catholic cemetery in Minneapolis. Deaths were in 1922 and 1935. The cemetery has perpetual care and recent photos indicate the cemetery is beautifully maintained. The person sending the photo thought burials were still occurring there. The family plot was purchased for his parents' burial by my father. My husband's relatives are buried in a commercial cemetery in Virginia. The first burial in the family grave site was in 1925. I continue to pay annually for upkeep on the family grave site. I suspect there are grave sites there that have been reclaimed by the cemetery for newer burials. The cemetery is almost 200 years old and doesn't seem to fill up. If someone doesn't continue (after me) to make annual payments . . . . . . . Makes one think doesn't it? Elaine Pam Villanueva wrote: > Great question!! Please post the replies to the list. Thanks! > Pam in CA > > >Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 15:17:55 -0700 > >From: Janis <firefly@ctaz.com> > >Reply-To: firefly@ctaz.com > >Subject: CEMETERY PLOTS > >To: GenTips-L@rootsweb.com > > > >I was wondering how burials and cemetery plots were handled waaaay > >back. Were there plots for sale or were they given to the deceased if > >it was a church? If it was a private cemetery I imagine they were > >buried there free? What about a large cemetery in a town? Were the > >deceased's families charged for burial plots? I'm talking about 1850's > >or before. > > > >Thank you very much > > > >Janis in AZ > >

The families I am working on have all had newspaper articles written about them. One family sold a sawmill to Henry Ford to be placed at Greenfield Village in Dearborn Mi. ect. I called the newspapers and explained what I was doing. I was told I could use the articles and pictures as long as what I was doing was for non-profit. Now- if I sell a copy of what I am doing for cost that is non -profit. I may also donate a copy to the library ect. Hope I helped Bette

<< Speaking of Tornadoes, does anyone know dates, etc. of tornado that hit Dongola area, Union Co., IL sometime between 1885 and 1900. >> Hi Glenda, et.al., Although the following site has a listing for tornado disasters, it doesn't seem to be working at this time. However, I thought others might find this fascinating for other disasters anyway. Glenda, maybe you can email the person on the website and ask them for specifics on past tornados. Here is the Almanac of Disasters URL: http://disasterium.com/ The page with additional disasters is: http://disasterium.com/Disgal/dis-gall.html Hope this helps some, sorry to disappoint you re: the Tornado site. Success in searching, Patty Smith http://members.aol.com/Tuffsearch/Genealogylinks.html

Be sure to note that this is *that* newspapers response, not a blanket permission to include all newspaper's articles. Anyone doing a book should contact the newspaper from which the article was taken directly whether you are doing it for your family or for profit is irrelevant until the newspaper says so. Until the newspaper co. says it's ok, don't assume it is, even tho 9 out of 10 are going to give permission in a non-profit situation. Sherry At 06:02 PM 7/1/98 -0500, you wrote: > The families I am working on have all had newspaper articles written about >them. One family sold a sawmill to Henry Ford to be placed at Greenfield >Village in Dearborn Mi. ect. I called the newspapers and explained what I >was doing. I was told I could use the articles and pictures as long as what >I was doing was for non-profit. Now- if I sell a copy of what I am doing for >cost that is non -profit. I may also donate a copy to the library ect. >Hope I helped >Bette > > >==== GenTips Mailing List ==== >To contact the GenTips list owner, use converse@alltel.net > > > >

I was wondering how burials and cemetery plots were handled waaaay back. Were there plots for sale or were they given to the deceased if it was a church? If it was a private cemetery I imagine they were buried there free? What about a large cemetery in a town? Were the deceased's families charged for burial plots? I'm talking about 1850's or before. Thank you very much Janis in AZ

Is there anyone on the list who lives in or near South Burlington, VT. If so, I would like to ask a favor. I need a copy of a death notice or obit for: John Wood Charlton who died August 19, 1994 in South Burlington, Vt. The SSDI list his residence as Barre, VT. I will be glad to reimburse you for the cost of copies and postage. If there is anyone who can help me please respond to -- familyact1@aol.com Thank you. Sheila Charlton Spencer familyact1@aol.com

from a photographer's point of view, I own the copyright when I take the photo. Then as George mentioned I add @Basden Photography to the back of my image or on the slide. However, to tighten it up even further I can send in an application to D.C. for a copyright. I plan to do this on a couple of shots. George gebasden@worldnet.att.net http://www.basden.com ---------- > From: Mark and Peggy Perry <pegmar@mhtc.net> > To: GenTips-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: Copyright laws > Date: Wednesday, July 01, 1998 6:26 AM > > Hi George, > > Yes, I knew that this was one way of doing it, but I've also heard that this > is just a temp copyright and that you should still be sending your fee and > request in to the copyright office. At leaset, that is what I last heard > from the Coyright list at Rootsweb. Doesn't mean it's correct, but just > that this is what I read. > > Thanks, > Peggy > > At 11:48 PM 6/30/98 -0400, George G. Morgan wrote: > >Hi Ardis and Peggy! > > > >You do NOT need to "apply" for a copyright. Simply by adding the > >copyright sign, followed by the words, "Copyright 1998 [your name here] > >- ALl rights reserved" you have preserved your rights. Long past are > >the days of applying to the Patent Office for a copyright. > > > >George Morgan > > > >Mark and Peggy Perry wrote: > >> > >> At 10:42 AM 6/30/98 -0500, Ardis wrote: > >> >Does the copyright laws effect family history books? In other words, do > >> >I need to get permission to print information for my family history > >> >book? The books would be printed strictly for our family members and > >> >not for sale to the general public. Besides the birth, marriage, and > >> >death dates of family members, I'd like to include information and > >> >history of places our ancestors came from. > >> > > >> >Thanks for any help you can give me. > >> >Ardis > >> > > >> > > >> >==== GenTips Mailing List ==== > >> >Support online research! Donate to the RootsWeb Genealogical Project! See > >> more information at: > >> >http://www.rootsweb.com > >> > > >> Hi Ardis, > >> > >> My suggestion would be to apply for the true copyright. It's to protect you > >> from someone else using your work as their own - not the other way around. > >> You don't need "permission" to print any work that you yourself have > >> written. Be sure to include a copy of the printed book in your local > >> library and genealogical/Historical Societies as well! > >> Thanks, > >> > >> Peggy Perry > >> pegmar@mhtc.net > >> > >> Moderator for The Obituary Daily Times > >> the email newspaper of obituaries from around the world! > >> To subscribe: send a message to: GEN-OBIT-Request@rootsweb.com > >> with the message: subscribe > >> > >> Visit our searchable web page at: > >> http://www.rootsweb.com/~obituary > >> > >> WI GenWeb coordinator for Iowa County - visit us at: > >> http://www.rootsweb.com/~wiiowa > >> > >> President - Iowa County Wisconsin Genealogical Society > >> http://www.friendsnfamily.net/wiiowagensoc/index.html > >> > >> Co-Owner of the GENMSC mailing list. > >> To subscribe: send a message to: GENMSC-L-request@rootsweb.com > >> with the message: subscribe > >> > >> ==== GenTips Mailing List ==== > >> Support online research! Donate to the RootsWeb Genealogical Project! See > more information at: > >> http://www.rootsweb.com > > > > > Thanks, > > Peggy Perry > pegmar@mhtc.net > > Moderator for The Obituary Daily Times > the email newspaper of obituaries from around the world! > To subscribe: send a message to: GEN-OBIT-Request@rootsweb.com > with the message: subscribe > > Visit our searchable web page at: > http://www.rootsweb.com/~obituary > > WI GenWeb coordinator for Iowa County - visit us at: > http://www.rootsweb.com/~wiiowa > > President - Iowa County Wisconsin Genealogical Society > http://www.friendsnfamily.net/wiiowagensoc/index.html > > Co-Owner of the GENMSC mailing list. > To subscribe: send a message to: GENMSC-L-request@rootsweb.com > with the message: subscribe > > > ==== GenTips Mailing List ==== > To contact the GenTips list owner, use converse@alltel.net > > >

This is probably a long shot but thought i would pass it along in case anyone here is looking to receive the inf. Has anyone out there recently sent off a request for Revolutionary War Service Record for Garrett Topping from the GRA lookup services through ftm. If you have, i have it . It was mixed in with my stuff. I will call gra in the morning but you might also want to call. Lila Miller