David T. Green wrote: That was my point yesterday when I said that you could tell by the > "discussion" who had spent thousands of hours in the library digging > out > the information and sharing it with others - - versus - - those who > prowl the net wanting to be spoon fed by a one stop shop and/or steal > the work of others. Hello,I didn't want to become involved in this ongoing discussion, but I must remind all able bodied researchers that not all of us CAN spend hours in libraries digging out the information we need. I have, however, spent hundreds of dollars (maybe more) by using books I have to buy, CD's that are expensive when the probability is that I will only find one or two bits of information on any of my own ancestors. Doing free lookups for other researchers makes these at home resources worth the price. I have asked for help from others. I have also paid for it. At times they wouldn't even accept postage. I have paid countless Gen Societies, Libraries, State Vital Records keepers, etc. for info that Most of the time could not be found. I cannot know if anyone had time or bothered to even look for the info I requested. Summing up, Yes! I have paid much for my research even tho I am forced to do it from home. My records are openly shared with anyone who asks. I am aware, since I was not born yesterday :) that there are some greedy people who would have no qualms at all about claiming my work as their own. There are even some who would Sell "my" info to other's. Horrors!! I have said all that to say this. I will continue to share anyway. Without the sharing spirit, we may as well toss out our Computer's altogether because our interaction with other researchers would be totally useless. In addition, not sharing what I have just goes against my nature. When I first started, I didn't know I should site all my sources, so naturally I have forgotten where some of it came from. I rec'd some records from a deceased GAunt. She gave no sources and I have not had time to find out where it all came from. Should I toss it out? Or refuse to share it because of that?? I hope we all get over this latest problem because the debate is causing Many good Cousins to be Very afraid to share their info. Let bad people be bad so the rest of us can get on with our business in peace. Isn't it possible this Matt person was not even aware he was stepping on toes? He seems to be correcting his mistake now. Lets give him a break. BUT, if he did know and he is just a selfish greedy ogre, I would hate to see everyone hanging on to their research in fear of ogres. Just my penny's worth. Now I will shut up and let smarter folks continue to debate the issue as I expect they will. But P l e a s e try not to scare off the innocents. Sharon cheraj@northcoast.com cheraj@aol.com >