Some privacy concerns -- particularly with genealogy data, are probably overblown, especially when one considers much of the information has been in the public domain for years and can be quite easily found if someone is determined to find information.. But anyone who has their social security number printed on their checks or readily gives it out as identification may well find themselves the object of identity theft. Most corporate agencies are using numbers other than social security for insurance card ids, on billing statements, etc. to prevent the numbers from getting into the wrong hands. Even Social Security does not now print out the entire number on most correspondence. Yes, those vital records are expensive, but it must cost government quite a bit of money to process them for genealogy purposes when one considers the cost of salaries, health insurance for the employees, etc. In my opinion we each should pay our own way for our hobby and let our taxpayer money go towards projects that serve everyone. I don't think raising the cost of vital records has much if anything to do with identity theft. Limiting restriction to proven family may or may not. Just my opinion.... Margaret Scheffler ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, August 22, 2005 12:37 PM Subject: Re: [OHLORAIN] database > > In a message dated 8/22/2005 2:52:27 AM Eastern Daylight Time, > [email protected] writes: > > down. My half brother who I had last heard from in 1963 is still living > at > age 87. All this privacy stuff I find quite ridiculous > Amen! I think they used it as an excuse to triple the costs of > certificates > since genealogy became such a widespread hobby. Our names, birthdates > are > on our drivers license; some have their phone nos. and ss nos. on the > checks; > names & birthdates & marriage dates are on the gravestones in cemeteries > of > people who aren't deceased yet; info. is on our taxes and so on. Raising > the > costs and limiting availability of the certicates is not going to curb > identity theft. > > > ==== OHLORAIN Mailing List ==== > Search the Archive of Messages for OHLORAIN Mailing List > http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/OHLORAIN > >