John, I ordered my grandfather's original social security application. Mine was not done on line because the "Freedone of Information Act" requires your submission be in writing (or at least when I ordered mine in 2001 that was the case). It cost me $27.00 and I thought it was well worth the cost. The application included the names of both of my grandfather's parents (that was worth more than the cost in and of itself), plus it provided me with a copy of his handwriting and signature. Sentimental information ... you decide the value of that. When you go to the Social Security Death Index, if you find your ancestor's name, there will be a link that will generate the letter that you are to send as your request. Hope this info helps you ... if not, let me know and I'll try to do a better job. Nona McDonald >From: John Bowman <accse8@flash.net> >To: TX-GSGS-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: Social Security record >Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2005 19:43:11 -0700 (PDT) > >Does anyone have the web site to order SS records on line?? Also has anyone >ordered one and did you find it worth the cost? >Thanks >John > > > >============================== >Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the >last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: >http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx >

Does anyone have the web site to order SS records on line?? Also has anyone ordered one and did you find it worth the cost? Thanks John

I'd love to help, Jayna! In any way I can. Mary ----- Original Message ----- From: "robert kobs" <rpkobs@msn.com> To: <TX-GSGS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 6:07 PM Subject: Re: I have an idea... > Hello Gang! > > Wow.........this has been quite a topic for discussion! Glad we have this > available to us....thanks to Phil for getting the ball rolling for us! > > Mary does have some good points, a lot of good points too!.....there is a > lot out there that can be done for free....if you are a person who has > access to a computer to know about the request for free look-ups.....but > there are many who do not. (We know this to be true with the folks in our > own GSGS that don't own a computer....don't know how to use one...nor do > they plan on ever getting one and learning!). > > Anything, however, that one would want from Texas, would more than likely > be available free via the GENWEB project. Something to note, again, > however, is that.....I have looked into getting some stuff done via the > GENWEB on Illinois.....and there was no one available in MY counties to do > look-ups! They were actually looking for volunteers to do my free > look-ups! SO.....that being said........if there was something I REALLY > wanted....would I spend a little $$ to have someone from a local genie > society to do it for me....you bet your bottom dollar I would. > > That point being made.......IF we did do something like a pay for > look-up.....we would need to set the parameters of which documents we'd > look through. In our area.....most of the Texas stuff would be available > for free via GENWEB........so I am not sure exactly how we would define > and set those parameters. > > I think, honestly...that it is a good way to get us "noticed"..........but > doing look-ups for a fee is getting to be a thing of the past....it's not > always easy to get volunteers either....GENWEB for my counties is STILL > looking..... And has been for a couple of years! We probably need to look > at other venues to bring attention to ourselves....perhaps in conjunction > with the Saginaw Historical Society (or other small Historical societies > in the *greater* Saginaw area) to put some interesting things of use in > the news letter. Could we not but the entire Saginaw Cemetery > Survey/Inscription in the news letter....or some interesting about the > history of Saginaw or Blue Mound....something taken from one of the old > back issues form the Times Record...............see where I am going with > this? Of local interest........ > > As for fund raising........we were thinking of perhaps seeing if Ms. Bell > would do a program on a Saturday (our biggy/ get us on the map > program)....one in which we charged..... (hint-hint Ms. Bell.....might you > be available to assist us ?) > > ok..........all just food for thought.................... > > Jayna > > > > > > From: Lisa Polk<mailto:lpolk@dpengineering.com> > To: TX-GSGS-L@rootsweb.com<mailto:TX-GSGS-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 3:52 PM > Subject: RE: I have an idea... > > > While I can see Mary's point...and they are good points...My line of > thought wasn't meant to be an extensive research project. > > My thought was if that someone requested something simple as a marriage > cert look up...then we could do it instead of the staff. > > that if someone requested something that only a resident of Texas has > access to.....similar to someone in Ireland having access to files that > we as 'outsiders', would have to pay just to access the site.....etc. > > It's just an idea...for raising funds, for awareness of the group.... > > > > > > > > > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx<http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx> > > > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > >

Hello Gang! Wow.........this has been quite a topic for discussion! Glad we have this available to us....thanks to Phil for getting the ball rolling for us! Mary does have some good points, a lot of good points too!.....there is a lot out there that can be done for free....if you are a person who has access to a computer to know about the request for free look-ups.....but there are many who do not. (We know this to be true with the folks in our own GSGS that don't own a computer....don't know how to use one...nor do they plan on ever getting one and learning!). Anything, however, that one would want from Texas, would more than likely be available free via the GENWEB project. Something to note, again, however, is that.....I have looked into getting some stuff done via the GENWEB on Illinois.....and there was no one available in MY counties to do look-ups! They were actually looking for volunteers to do my free look-ups! SO.....that being said........if there was something I REALLY wanted....would I spend a little $$ to have someone from a local genie society to do it for me....you bet your bottom dollar I would. That point being made.......IF we did do something like a pay for look-up.....we would need to set the parameters of which documents we'd look through. In our area.....most of the Texas stuff would be available for free via GENWEB........so I am not sure exactly how we would define and set those parameters. I think, honestly...that it is a good way to get us "noticed"..........but doing look-ups for a fee is getting to be a thing of the past....it's not always easy to get volunteers either....GENWEB for my counties is STILL looking..... And has been for a couple of years! We probably need to look at other venues to bring attention to ourselves....perhaps in conjunction with the Saginaw Historical Society (or other small Historical societies in the *greater* Saginaw area) to put some interesting things of use in the news letter. Could we not but the entire Saginaw Cemetery Survey/Inscription in the news letter....or some interesting about the history of Saginaw or Blue Mound....something taken from one of the old back issues form the Times Record...............see where I am going with this? Of local interest........ As for fund raising........we were thinking of perhaps seeing if Ms. Bell would do a program on a Saturday (our biggy/ get us on the map program)....one in which we charged..... (hint-hint Ms. Bell.....might you be available to assist us ?) ok..........all just food for thought.................... Jayna From: Lisa Polk<mailto:lpolk@dpengineering.com> To: TX-GSGS-L@rootsweb.com<mailto:TX-GSGS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 3:52 PM Subject: RE: I have an idea... While I can see Mary's point...and they are good points...My line of thought wasn't meant to be an extensive research project. My thought was if that someone requested something simple as a marriage cert look up...then we could do it instead of the staff. that if someone requested something that only a resident of Texas has access to.....similar to someone in Ireland having access to files that we as 'outsiders', would have to pay just to access the site.....etc. It's just an idea...for raising funds, for awareness of the group.... ============================== Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx<http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx>

While I can see Mary's point...and they are good points...My line of thought wasn't meant to be an extensive research project. My thought was if that someone requested something simple as a marriage cert look up...then we could do it instead of the staff. that if someone requested something that only a resident of Texas has access to.....similar to someone in Ireland having access to files that we as 'outsiders', would have to pay just to access the site.....etc. It's just an idea...for raising funds, for awareness of the group....

An extensive research project would cost a lot more than $10-20. Most out of state people would pay a little just for a simple look up. I think it is a good idea. John . Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx

Good morning everyone, This has been an interesting discussion, but I believe you need to really think twice about what you are proposing. First of all, are you aware of the USGENWEB Project? This is an all-volunteer effort all over the country to put up county records on the Web and to have active volunteers who will do "look-ups" at no cost. I just took a look at the information on the Tarrant County GENWEB page showing the various repositories and it looks like there are quite a number that you would have to be familiar with. I think it would be very productive to play around in this web site and see what is available and where. Tarrant County has a very active group of volunteers and I think you will be interested in checking out that web site to see what they are offering to do for people. http://www.rootsweb.com/~txtarran/look-ups.htm I do not mean to "preach," but I would like to offer some observations. If you plan to charge, you need to create a niche of records that you will offer to examine. You also need to make sure that you know those records inside and out and can advise people on their uses and also their limitations, and where they can go for further research. What you are proposing goes beyond the volunteer look-ups, I believe, and gets into actual research status. I notice, from the Ft. Worth Public Library web site, that they have a list of professional researchers. It would be valuable to be on this list if you have had a lot of experience using their collections. You really need to have extensive knowledge of either a record category or a collection. It would be a great idea to become a volunteer at the Ft. Worth Public and learn their collections. I understand that the membership fee is waived if you are a volunteer there. If you want to do actual research in the county records, perhaps the Tarrant County Courthouse has a list of researchers available for hire. Since I am not a Texas native, and especially not a Tarrant County native, I am not that familiar with what is available, but I can pass on my personal experiences from 30 years as a professional genealogist. Doing research for hire is not easy! A rule of thumb is that it usually takes 1 hour of report-writing for each 1/2 hour of research and that should be included in your fee. If you do not have at least several years of researching experience in a variety of local records, I would not recommend that you jump into this quite yet. I would go the volunteer route and see if this is really what you want to do!! Good luck with whatever the group decides upon! Mary McCampbell Bell, CLS PS Are any of you planning to attend the FGS Conference in Salt Lake City in September? It looks like a very interesting program! Here's the web site: http://fgs.org/2005conf/FGS-2005.htm. The FGS and NGS annual Conferences are excellent sources for genealogical education. CLS, Certified Lineage Specialist is a service mark of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluation, and the board name is registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. ----- Original Message ----- From: "robert kobs" <rpkobs@msn.com> To: <TX-GSGS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, August 12, 2005 7:24 PM Subject: Re: I have an idea... > I don't think an hourly rate is a bad idea. I know, that when it comes to > having someone else help me, for a fee....it is great! A trip for > genealogy can run up there in the way of $$. I would have to take off > time from work because I only get paid for time I work (I am not > receiving a paid vacation).....drive time....which is over 11 hours to > Illinois....gas.....lodging.....food........it is SO worth it to pay for a > look up! I have 3 kids and tons of other expenses....I'd rather spend it > on a look up that let to know where...than pay for a trip to do it myself, > for nothing! > > As far as the SS fee..........let me tell you what it was like for me, > y'all. My grandfathers....both of them.......know NOTHING as far as their > grandparents in Italy are concerned. I guess it was just not something > that was asked/or talked about. No one knew anything about the kin in the > old country. I was lucky that my little cute great-grandma Della applied > for SS when she was 78 years old! I sent off my $27 and the printed out > request form and waited..........when I received it, it was fantastic. I > already knew her maiden name....but that was it. When I got that SS > application....I found out the names of both of my GG-grandparents.....I > have a copy of my g-grandma Della's signature. Everyone also thought she > was from Fanano, Italy. She may have grown up there......but she was BORN > in the village of Montes! SO.........in 100 years, when I can afford to > go to Italy.....at least I will know the village in which to start! LOL! > > I think that it will come down to a priority for folks when it comes to > what one is willing to spend on genealogy. I would easily spend that $27 > again..........I was SO thrilled to call up my grandpa and tell him the > names of his maternal grandparents....and the actual name of the village > in which his mother was born!! It may just be a budgeting thing....which > we ALL have to do when it comes to our genie research......especially when > there are a number of other expenses in our lives. We have to do it time > and time again, whether it be saving for a couch, the kids various > expenses....or a genealogical expense. In the long run....a little fee > for a look up is better than spending Lord knows how much $$ for a long > trip to find nothing..................is it something that I could or > would do for every ancestor.......no.....but for some.........YES! > > Just an opinion............. > > Jayna > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Phil Heberer<mailto:pheberer@charter.net> > To: TX-GSGS-L@rootsweb.com<mailto:TX-GSGS-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Friday, August 12, 2005 6:09 PM > Subject: Re: I have an idea... > > > Hi Lisa, > > > > Phil...a flat fee of $25!? I wouldn't pay it. No matter how badly I > > wanted that info. > > I'm still choking on Dennis having to pay $27 for a SS application!! > > It depends. If it was something I desparately wanted to have, $25 would > be > tolerable. Besides, I think it was a way of gaining more members as > well. I > forgot to mention that members got a 50% reduction, and annual > membership is > only $20. The genealogy society has a *wealth* of accumulated local, > county > and state history (way more than the local library!) Several old weekly > newspapers donated their archives to the genealogy society when they > merged > into a single daily paper, and those old newspapers from the late 1800's > are > priceless, IMO! > > > hmmm...Maybe it should be rated by length of time it takes to find the > > information. > > I think an hourly rate would be more reasonable, but I also know even at > $10 > an hour, it doesn't take much to get two and a half hours in! I guess it > would depend on how adept the researcher is. > > > As far as place to put funds...well, it's not like we are going to > start > > doing this this weekend, or if we are even going to consider it as a > > group. > > Yeah, I understood it wasn't something we were going to start tomorrow. > Still, I'm hoping we will have someplace to store some funds soon. > > > Jayna wants me to bring it up at the next meeting. See if anyone > would > > even be willing to volunteer the time... > > I'm thinking it's a win-win situation. Find their stuff...then look > for > > yours! :o) > > It *would* be nice to do some research and get paid for it! Even at > twenty-five cents an hour, I could be a rich man in what I have invested > in > mine so far! LOL! I guess it would depend on what information someone > wanted > looked up. Personally, *I* like copies of obituaries more than death > certificates, but to each their own. I guess I have an advantage there, > since the County Recorder in the county seat where I grew up was a > former > high school classmate of mine. <grin> > > Cheers, > Phil > > > ============================== > Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the > areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. > Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx<http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx> > > > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > >

I think this was intended to go to the group, but not sure that it did. -----Original Message----- From: peggy holder [mailto:peg@wccs.net] Sent: Monday, August 15, 2005 8:30 AM To: June Ahrens Subject: Re: I have an idea... I think it would be worth it if she could get me something from England. I am still having a hard time finding a way to get in . i have went in through search systems but i do not understand it when i get there .I need help ? can anybody help me . thanks peggy holder peg@wccs.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "June Ahrens" <juneaa@charter.net> To: <TX-GSGS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, August 14, 2005 8:51 PM Subject: RE: I have an idea... > I had a lady in PA charge me $25 for a deed and release that were great. > This was probably 6 years ago. She stated she charged $25 an hour as she > was a registered genealogist. I know she writes genealogy books. Name was > Mary Bell Lontz. > June >

LOL!!!!! I like the way you think!! LOL! -----Original Message----- From: dwmcd@charter.net [mailto:dwmcd@charter.net] Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2005 3:02 AM To: TX-GSGS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: lookup fees Hey everyone, food for thought. If I have a lookup to go do, let's say a search for a Tarrant County tax record at the Ft. Worth library, and I charge $10.00 an hour, well two gallons of gas and parking is going to cost me approx. $7.00 US!!!!! out of my pocket, I would rather throw 10 bucks in the GSGS pot and go fishing!!!!If you are going to do this make it worth the trip. I know we would hope to have multiple lookups to do, but the person paying the 10 bucks for their lookup couldn't care less how many lookups you have to do, just get their's done! Dennis McDonald ============================== View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find marriage announcements and more. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx

I had a lady in PA charge me $25 for a deed and release that were great. This was probably 6 years ago. She stated she charged $25 an hour as she was a registered genealogist. I know she writes genealogy books. Name was Mary Bell Lontz. June -----Original Message----- From: fred@stewartquest.com [mailto:fred@stewartquest.com] Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 10:26 PM To: TX-GSGS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: RE: I have an idea... I just ran into a researcher in the Historical Museum in Miami Co. Indiana that charges $10 per hour to do look-ups. Fred Quoting Lisa Polk <lpolk@dpengineering.com>: > Phil...a flat fee of $25!? I wouldn't pay it. No matter how badly I > wanted that info. > I'm still choking on Dennis having to pay $27 for a SS application!! > > hmmm...Maybe it should be rated by length of time it takes to find the > information. > > As far as place to put funds...well, it's not like we are going to start > doing this this weekend, or if we are even going to consider it as a > group. > > Jayna wants me to bring it up at the next meeting. See if anyone would > even be willing to volunteer the time... > I'm thinking it's a win-win situation. Find their stuff...then look for > yours! :o) > Lisa > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Phil Heberer [mailto:pheberer@charter.net] > Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 2:30 PM > To: TX-GSGS-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: I have an idea... > > Hello Lisa, > >> What if we, as in GSGS, were to offer to do lookups for those out of >> state...in our area...Ft. Worth, Saginaw, etc. for a small fee? >> >> Here's my line of thinking... >> Most of us are looking for people out of state. The records office >> staff is busy with everyday business, and don't have time ...or >> desire...to do look ups. >> So, what if we "hire" ourselves out to the records office, etc. to do >> these look ups....for part of the fee sent in. >> >> Yes? No? Comments?? > > *I* think that is a good idea, but the problem is still that we have no > where to deposit the funds we might accumulate. :( I'm still trying to > get in touch with some people who might be able to help, but getting > return phone calls is a bear. :( > > Your idea is exactly what the genealogy society does back in my > hometown, and they charge a flat fee of $25, FWIW. The public library > back there also has a person doing lookups, but I don't know if there is > a fee attached with that one. I only found out about that when I > stumbled upon the person at the county records section when I was doing > some research myself. I didn't think to ask her if she charged a fee for > her service. <sigh> > > Cheers, > Phil > > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > > > > > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > > ============================== Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx

Hi John, > So what about $10.00 plus what ever it cost, ie. gas, parking fee, copy > cost, mail? The problem *I* see with that is that you might not know the costs up front, and that can cause some problems as well with what is perceived as "value for the money". The more I think about it, and see the replies to this, the $25 fee doesn't sound so bad after all! I'd GLADLY pay $25 if there was a chance I could break through some of my "brick walls"! Cheers, Phil

OK, $10.00 plus cost, but not more than $25.00. John

So what about $10.00 plus what ever it cost, ie. gas, parking fee, copy cost, mail? John

Hey everyone, food for thought. If I have a lookup to go do, let's say a search for a Tarrant County tax record at the Ft. Worth library, and I charge $10.00 an hour, well two gallons of gas and parking is going to cost me approx. $7.00 US!!!!! out of my pocket, I would rather throw 10 bucks in the GSGS pot and go fishing!!!!If you are going to do this make it worth the trip. I know we would hope to have multiple lookups to do, but the person paying the 10 bucks for their lookup couldn't care less how many lookups you have to do, just get their's done! Dennis McDonald

I don't think an hourly rate is a bad idea. I know, that when it comes to having someone else help me, for a fee....it is great! A trip for genealogy can run up there in the way of $$. I would have to take off time from work because I only get paid for time I work (I am not receiving a paid vacation).....drive time....which is over 11 hours to Illinois....gas.....lodging.....food........it is SO worth it to pay for a look up! I have 3 kids and tons of other expenses....I'd rather spend it on a look up that let to know where...than pay for a trip to do it myself, for nothing! As far as the SS fee..........let me tell you what it was like for me, y'all. My grandfathers....both of them.......know NOTHING as far as their grandparents in Italy are concerned. I guess it was just not something that was asked/or talked about. No one knew anything about the kin in the old country. I was lucky that my little cute great-grandma Della applied for SS when she was 78 years old! I sent off my $27 and the printed out request form and waited..........when I received it, it was fantastic. I already knew her maiden name....but that was it. When I got that SS application....I found out the names of both of my GG-grandparents.....I have a copy of my g-grandma Della's signature. Everyone also thought she was from Fanano, Italy. She may have grown up there......but she was BORN in the village of Montes! SO.........in 100 years, when I can afford to go to Italy.....at least I will know the village in which to start! LOL! I think that it will come down to a priority for folks when it comes to what one is willing to spend on genealogy. I would easily spend that $27 again..........I was SO thrilled to call up my grandpa and tell him the names of his maternal grandparents....and the actual name of the village in which his mother was born!! It may just be a budgeting thing....which we ALL have to do when it comes to our genie research......especially when there are a number of other expenses in our lives. We have to do it time and time again, whether it be saving for a couch, the kids various expenses....or a genealogical expense. In the long run....a little fee for a look up is better than spending Lord knows how much $$ for a long trip to find nothing..................is it something that I could or would do for every ancestor.......no.....but for some.........YES! Just an opinion............. Jayna ----- Original Message ----- From: Phil Heberer<mailto:pheberer@charter.net> To: TX-GSGS-L@rootsweb.com<mailto:TX-GSGS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, August 12, 2005 6:09 PM Subject: Re: I have an idea... Hi Lisa, > Phil...a flat fee of $25!? I wouldn't pay it. No matter how badly I > wanted that info. > I'm still choking on Dennis having to pay $27 for a SS application!! It depends. If it was something I desparately wanted to have, $25 would be tolerable. Besides, I think it was a way of gaining more members as well. I forgot to mention that members got a 50% reduction, and annual membership is only $20. The genealogy society has a *wealth* of accumulated local, county and state history (way more than the local library!) Several old weekly newspapers donated their archives to the genealogy society when they merged into a single daily paper, and those old newspapers from the late 1800's are priceless, IMO! > hmmm...Maybe it should be rated by length of time it takes to find the > information. I think an hourly rate would be more reasonable, but I also know even at $10 an hour, it doesn't take much to get two and a half hours in! I guess it would depend on how adept the researcher is. > As far as place to put funds...well, it's not like we are going to start > doing this this weekend, or if we are even going to consider it as a > group. Yeah, I understood it wasn't something we were going to start tomorrow. Still, I'm hoping we will have someplace to store some funds soon. > Jayna wants me to bring it up at the next meeting. See if anyone would > even be willing to volunteer the time... > I'm thinking it's a win-win situation. Find their stuff...then look for > yours! :o) It *would* be nice to do some research and get paid for it! Even at twenty-five cents an hour, I could be a rich man in what I have invested in mine so far! LOL! I guess it would depend on what information someone wanted looked up. Personally, *I* like copies of obituaries more than death certificates, but to each their own. I guess I have an advantage there, since the County Recorder in the county seat where I grew up was a former high school classmate of mine. <grin> Cheers, Phil ============================== Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx<http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx>

Hi Lisa, > Phil...a flat fee of $25!? I wouldn't pay it. No matter how badly I > wanted that info. > I'm still choking on Dennis having to pay $27 for a SS application!! It depends. If it was something I desparately wanted to have, $25 would be tolerable. Besides, I think it was a way of gaining more members as well. I forgot to mention that members got a 50% reduction, and annual membership is only $20. The genealogy society has a *wealth* of accumulated local, county and state history (way more than the local library!) Several old weekly newspapers donated their archives to the genealogy society when they merged into a single daily paper, and those old newspapers from the late 1800's are priceless, IMO! > hmmm...Maybe it should be rated by length of time it takes to find the > information. I think an hourly rate would be more reasonable, but I also know even at $10 an hour, it doesn't take much to get two and a half hours in! I guess it would depend on how adept the researcher is. > As far as place to put funds...well, it's not like we are going to start > doing this this weekend, or if we are even going to consider it as a > group. Yeah, I understood it wasn't something we were going to start tomorrow. Still, I'm hoping we will have someplace to store some funds soon. > Jayna wants me to bring it up at the next meeting. See if anyone would > even be willing to volunteer the time... > I'm thinking it's a win-win situation. Find their stuff...then look for > yours! :o) It *would* be nice to do some research and get paid for it! Even at twenty-five cents an hour, I could be a rich man in what I have invested in mine so far! LOL! I guess it would depend on what information someone wanted looked up. Personally, *I* like copies of obituaries more than death certificates, but to each their own. I guess I have an advantage there, since the County Recorder in the county seat where I grew up was a former high school classmate of mine. <grin> Cheers, Phil

I just ran into a researcher in the Historical Museum in Miami Co. Indiana that charges $10 per hour to do look-ups. Fred Quoting Lisa Polk <lpolk@dpengineering.com>: > Phil...a flat fee of $25!? I wouldn't pay it. No matter how badly I > wanted that info. > I'm still choking on Dennis having to pay $27 for a SS application!! > > hmmm...Maybe it should be rated by length of time it takes to find the > information. > > As far as place to put funds...well, it's not like we are going to start > doing this this weekend, or if we are even going to consider it as a > group. > > Jayna wants me to bring it up at the next meeting. See if anyone would > even be willing to volunteer the time... > I'm thinking it's a win-win situation. Find their stuff...then look for > yours! :o) > Lisa > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Phil Heberer [mailto:pheberer@charter.net] > Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 2:30 PM > To: TX-GSGS-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: I have an idea... > > Hello Lisa, > >> What if we, as in GSGS, were to offer to do lookups for those out of >> state...in our area...Ft. Worth, Saginaw, etc. for a small fee? >> >> Here's my line of thinking... >> Most of us are looking for people out of state. The records office >> staff is busy with everyday business, and don't have time ...or >> desire...to do look ups. >> So, what if we "hire" ourselves out to the records office, etc. to do >> these look ups....for part of the fee sent in. >> >> Yes? No? Comments?? > > *I* think that is a good idea, but the problem is still that we have no > where to deposit the funds we might accumulate. :( I'm still trying to > get in touch with some people who might be able to help, but getting > return phone calls is a bear. :( > > Your idea is exactly what the genealogy society does back in my > hometown, and they charge a flat fee of $25, FWIW. The public library > back there also has a person doing lookups, but I don't know if there is > a fee attached with that one. I only found out about that when I > stumbled upon the person at the county records section when I was doing > some research myself. I didn't think to ask her if she charged a fee for > her service. <sigh> > > Cheers, > Phil > > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > > > > > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > >

Phil...a flat fee of $25!? I wouldn't pay it. No matter how badly I wanted that info. I'm still choking on Dennis having to pay $27 for a SS application!! hmmm...Maybe it should be rated by length of time it takes to find the information. As far as place to put funds...well, it's not like we are going to start doing this this weekend, or if we are even going to consider it as a group. Jayna wants me to bring it up at the next meeting. See if anyone would even be willing to volunteer the time... I'm thinking it's a win-win situation. Find their stuff...then look for yours! :o) Lisa -----Original Message----- From: Phil Heberer [mailto:pheberer@charter.net] Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 2:30 PM To: TX-GSGS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: I have an idea... Hello Lisa, > What if we, as in GSGS, were to offer to do lookups for those out of > state...in our area...Ft. Worth, Saginaw, etc. for a small fee? > > Here's my line of thinking... > Most of us are looking for people out of state. The records office > staff is busy with everyday business, and don't have time ...or > desire...to do look ups. > So, what if we "hire" ourselves out to the records office, etc. to do > these look ups....for part of the fee sent in. > > Yes? No? Comments?? *I* think that is a good idea, but the problem is still that we have no where to deposit the funds we might accumulate. :( I'm still trying to get in touch with some people who might be able to help, but getting return phone calls is a bear. :( Your idea is exactly what the genealogy society does back in my hometown, and they charge a flat fee of $25, FWIW. The public library back there also has a person doing lookups, but I don't know if there is a fee attached with that one. I only found out about that when I stumbled upon the person at the county records section when I was doing some research myself. I didn't think to ask her if she charged a fee for her service. <sigh> Cheers, Phil ============================== Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx

Hello Lisa, > What if we, as in GSGS, were to offer to do lookups for those out of > state...in our area...Ft. Worth, Saginaw, etc. for a small fee? > > Here's my line of thinking... > Most of us are looking for people out of state. The records office > staff is busy with everyday business, and don't have time ...or > desire...to do look ups. > So, what if we "hire" ourselves out to the records office, etc. to do > these look ups....for part of the fee sent in. > > Yes? No? Comments?? *I* think that is a good idea, but the problem is still that we have no where to deposit the funds we might accumulate. :( I'm still trying to get in touch with some people who might be able to help, but getting return phone calls is a bear. :( Your idea is exactly what the genealogy society does back in my hometown, and they charge a flat fee of $25, FWIW. The public library back there also has a person doing lookups, but I don't know if there is a fee attached with that one. I only found out about that when I stumbled upon the person at the county records section when I was doing some research myself. I didn't think to ask her if she charged a fee for her service. <sigh> Cheers, Phil

What if we, as in GSGS, were to offer to do lookups for those out of state...in our area...Ft. Worth, Saginaw, etc. for a small fee? Here's my line of thinking... Most of us are looking for people out of state. The records office staff is busy with everyday business, and don't have time ...or desire...to do look ups. So, what if we "hire" ourselves out to the records office, etc. to do these look ups....for part of the fee sent in. Yes? No? Comments?? Lisa