In a message dated 12/13/98 1:00:14 PM US Mountain Standard Time, mike_in_katy@pdq.net writes: << Also, a question that will need to be asked eventually - Is there a need to have two pages? A PCHS page and a OKGenWeb Pontotoc Co. page? Why could not the pages be combined? Obviously, this question goes beyond the confines of Pontotoc Co. Could local Historical/Genealogy Societies be an integral part of the USGenWeb and not just a "Link"? Could be room for philosophical debate here! Also, is there a problem with putting a local Genealogy Society web page on the Rootsweb server? One of the charter items for the USGenWeb I think is to publish and make Genealogy information available and free over the Web. This might conflict with charters of local Genealogical Societies and erode their source of funds that they so sorely need. >> Mike: I understand this problem very well as I am a member of the Konawa Genealogical and Historical Society as well as the coordinator for the Seminole County, Oklahoma GENWEB pages. I would like to post the complete information on the web, but the small income that is derived from the books (not to mention the hard work that is entailed in putting them together) is important to the Society. What I've done is to ask to be allowed to post an index of the names that are included in each book. This way people can search for the names they're looking for, and if they find a connection, then they can contact the society if they wish. The Society also does lookups (free of charge) and we have found that people will usually purchase the books, once they know that the information they seek is available. There is plenty of room for conflict here, but there is also plenty of room to work together. I'd rather work with the society and have included a page for them, not just a link. The societies are a wonderful source of information and can be a great asset. Becky Ramsey Rramsey113@aol.com