Andrea, >From reading information on other lists--not from studying the law--it's my conclusion experts say factual information--names, dates, etc.--we can glean from public records is not protected by copyright law, but a matter of..what else?...public record. That said, however, if we post public-record information (such as linkages between family members) that only the intervention and hard work of a writer/researcher led us to discover, then I believe we're in sticky territory. I'll be interested in other person's views on this topic, although I don't want to start a never-ending thread. The subject, however, is an important one for these lists for several reasons. One major reason is that we don't want to cut off our supply of information from those hardy souls planning to publish their research some day. (And I hope to be in that category, myself, the mind willing and the creek don't rise.) Nor, of course, do we want to undercut another person's method of making a living if what we do is against the law. What say ye? Bonnie