I'd like to believe most people don't realize at what great lengths you've gone through to get what information you have. Sure, there are people who are just plain lazy and know they're robbing you blind of all your information without giving proper credit or offering to pay for the research, copies, etc. And like you said there are, unfortunately, unethical people who are taking the information that you've given to them out of the goodness of your hearts and are turning around and making a profit on it. But what do you do? I think when you get a query it's fair to ask questions to try to weed out which type of person is contacting you. Like Lanita said, she asks lots of questions before giving out any information. I think that's the only safe thing to do. Even then, there is no guarantee that person won't turn around and sell to others what you've graciously given to them. I'm the nerdy type person who is so excited when someone shares information with me that I am beside myself and sometimes forget to give proper credit or offer to pay for research, etc. Some people just look at me like I'm so weird when I say I was excited to find this out or to find out that particular piece of information. They just don't have the genealogy bug like the rest of us. And when someone unselfishly shares with me I would drop to my knees and kiss their feet if I could. I have worked 25+ years on my family genealogy so if someone is willing to share their treasure with me I am thrilled at their generosity. But be assured that most of us absolutely do appreciate whatever information is given to us. And we certainly don't mind having the integrity of our requests "tested" if you will, by being asked a few questions. As in anything, you have those, like during Hurricane Katrina who were trying to take advantage of a situation and making a profit from it. Geez, I didn't realize I had so much to say on this subject! Kimberly -----Original Message----- From: Pat Miller [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 2:03 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [MO-OREGON-HISTORY] Topic of Discussion: how much do you share at 1st contact? Lanita, There are people out there in cyberspace that are doing research for other people, charging them and getting their info from us for free. Not ethical at all. There are those who are so excited to find us that they are a nervous wreck and don't know what to ask for or whether they should. But, the ones that bother me are those who ask nebulous question that require "all" your information and you never hear from them. I no longer give much until I ask lots of questions. A recent example is a person who didn't even give their name, was trying to tie into my Moore line; she gave me lots of info and said she "knew" that we came from the same line. WRONG! Bad bad research done on that one. I turned this person over to the most knowledgeable person on genealogy that I knew and she set the person on a straight and narrow path to better research. But, I remember when I first started and got set straight by the same person....I will be eternally grateful to her. Perhaps we need to do a little bit of training as we go along. This site was one of my training sites and I appreciate it. I think we all need to get aquatinted with the person that is asking for info before giving them anything more that a very small bit of basic information. Pat Miller Dallas,TX Lanita Sconce Smith wrote: > I know we have mentioned this before, but wondering if any have > changed their minds, etc., or what your views on the matter. Bear in > mind, we have several new people on the list.... > > I'm sure we've all had those who wanted everything from us, and > didn't give back much.... do you still share as much as you have at > the 1st contact, or did you ever, or DO you ever? > > I USED to do the whole outline of my line they wanted [names, dates, > burial sites and even where they were in the Census], but found much > of my info online with no mention that they got it from ME!! THEY > didn't share much with me in return, but.... > > SO, do you still give as much? I don't... am I being selfish?? If I > see that the other person sends me info that is detailed, documented, > or even pictures... something REALLY helpful, then I re-email with > more of my stuff..... am I being selfish? I want to be generous, but I > do NOT want to be taken advantage of any more..... I pride myself on > having the documentation so I am pretty thorough... but, I continue to > be at a loss and feel guilty for not giving all I have to the other > person.... > > Thoughts???? > > > Lanita > > I'm always late. My ancestors arrived on the JUNE flower. > > > ==== MO-OREGON-HISTORY Mailing List ==== > http://www.oregoncountyhistory.net/ > > > ==== MO-OREGON-HISTORY Mailing List ==== http://www.oregoncountyhistory.net/