Vivian, what really gets your goat is that when you do share your information freely and gladly with someone, that person makes a home-made booklet out of it and then tries to sell your own information back to you. I'm with you. I have always shared what I had with others in hoping to get some of their information in return. I thought that was what it was all about. Everyone knows their own direct line better than collateral lines, and this was how I got information on collateral lines that matched up with mine. Ruby -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Thursday, June 24, 1999 7:53 AM Subject: What is wrong with this picture?? >Over the years (over 20 now) I have worked on Genealogy. I have traveled >many miles, spent lots of money staying in motels, eating out and copying >numerous books (ie: marriage books, birth, death, etc) and the family >Histories of lots of people who were kind enough to share them with the >Historical/Genealogical Societies, and have amassed a little Library with >which I can help several people who need look-ups in and around Bath, Morgan, >Fleming, Rowan, Bourbon, Montgomery, Menifee, Counties as most of you have as >well. We love what we do ! > >Am I missing something? Should I try to get my money back now by using the >information I copied from someone elses work?..... by selling it? I have >bought several Census books from people who worked very hard transcribing >them from the original microfilm and was delighted to be able to buy >it.......Can I now copy a bunch of them and sell them to retrieve my money? > >I have never sold anything to anyone. I have sent my own books around this >United States for other people to copy until they are unbelievably "Ratty" >but not for money. >They have been taken apart so many times that one kind soul actually had some >new copies and covers made for me before they sent them back ( You know who >you are and you are a "Doll" for doing that) > >We are all trying to do the same thing....."Trace Our Lineage". I will never >give you permission to sell any of my works...... and please don't even think >of it. You are free to use it and free to share it. I believe they say that >a "Poor Mans Patent" is the one that is put in an envelope and mailed to >himself....and never opened. Until and unless someone tries to infringe on >it. This might be a good thing for all of us to do just in case someone >decides to write a book using your material without permission. > >I was excited to get my PC and just knew I would find a lot of good sharing >people and most of you are "Such Dears" but.....I am really on my Soap Box >over the selling of other peoples material. > >I apologise to the list owners if I am out of line but this is something I >feel passionately over and I really do not feel I am alone in it. > >If you want to UN-SUB me for it I will take my punishment. This isn't aimed >at anyone in specific but if the "Shoe Pinches you....Take it off"