This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Ig.2ADI/789 Message Board Post: IF you are researching via the Historical Society website, I must warn you about Marty Crull. On his site he claimed to possess copyright over all material on the site including items in the public domain. He believes that since he has researched the information, he then owns it and no one can use it for publication. Marty Crull is WRONG: He does NOT have ownership over census data, birth dates, public cemetery records etc. These are in the public domain. In fact, since Marty Crull is working FOR an organization, copyright belongs to his employers. When I wrote an email to Mr. Crull addressing these issues, he wrote back "Bite Me." and then has since sent two other letters telling me to BUTT OUT, that I have no right to contact him, that I have upset him. He also made some other rather rude and unprofessional remarks about my character. He seems to have my letter to other members of the historical society. One of these people wrote to me and indicated that I would have "trouble" over this incident. Mr. Crull, in my opinion, should not be working with the public. He cannot handle basic criticism. If any of you are members of the historical society, I urge you to address this issue with the Board. For those of you thinking of joining the Historical Society, I urge you to reconsider and let them know why you won't be joining. As someone who has been doing genealogy for 18 years, I am simply disgusted by the response of Marty Crull, his attitude towards copyright, the public, and other genealogists. I will be glad to send you copies of the letters if you request. Sara Kepich