Hi, I am the CC for Monroe, Portage, and Wood Counties, WI. Just wanted to take the time to point out that all the people at USGenWeb WIGenWeb are volunteers and provide their services FREE of charge. (LOUD APPLAUD!!!!!) On occassion, you may read emails offering "services" such as [email protected] - usually this means the services are NOT FREE, but since it it against the rules to solicit for personal gain on the mailing lists, their emails tend to be subversive (another word for sneaky)... and ask you to contact them for more information - at which point you are asked for MONEY!!! Be advised that people sending these types of emails are not associated with the FREE services at USGenWeb WIGenWeb sites of WoodCoWI, PortageCoWI, nor MonroeCoWI. For FREE services, continue to post your queries on the Mailing Lists, or on the Message Boards. At some point, you may reach a dead end in your search... You may then desire to obtain the services of a PROFESSIONAL Genealogist. Just like you would do for anything else, shop around. It is OK to ask on the Mailing list or the Message Boards if there is a person(s) recommended for the area within you are researching. Usually, they will respond with a personal email to you. Ask others what they know about the person before you respond back. You may also want to check out: Association of Professional Genealogists http://www.apgen.org/ When you contact the PROFESSIONAL Genealogist, get their REAL name and address and check them out. A PROFESSIONAL Genealogist will provide you with their credentials up front. And usually will have testimonials of others who have used their services. Ask what are their qualifications, memberships, how much they will charge, and what you will receive in the way of reports. Ask what records they have access to. WAIT until you get it in writing before sending any money. BE SUSPICIOUS of anyone who does not give their real name and address, asks that you send cash through the regular mail, or does not seem forthcoming with information on their services / fees. Ask yourself, would a professional respond like that??? KEEP track of your researcher, maintain copies of all email correspondance and other written correspondance - make notes of phone calls (date and time, and what was said)... Address your concerns immediately - before sending mone money... Most PROFESSIONAL Genealogists will contact the CC and or the local Genealogical Society and let them know of their services. See the listing at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wiwood/resource/ Finally, if you feel you have been scammed by a person claiming to be a PROFESSIONAL Genealogist, report your concerns to: 1) The Association they are affiliated with ie APG http://www.apgen.org/ 2) The Better Business Bureau http://www.bbb.org/ 3) The County Coordinator where they are researching 4) The State Coordinator where they are researching 5) Others in the Genealogical Community State precisely what transpired - give dates, email addresses, and copies of documents, fees, etc. which will help further your claim. Bottom line, there are many great PROFESSIONAL Genealogists out there. However, it would pay to exercise caution when hiring one. R/S MAK CC Monroe, Portage, and Wood Counties, WI __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com