ABERDEEN-L Archives

Archiver > ABERDEEN > 2005-11 > 1131990231


From: Barbara <>
Subject: Re: ABERDEEN-D Digest V05 #426
Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 12:43:51 -0500
References: <200511141304.jAED4Lmj012994@lists2.rootsweb.com>
In-Reply-To: <200511141304.jAED4Lmj012994@lists2.rootsweb.com>


I have to say that I agree with Ray and Gavin. The fee to belong to the
ANESFHS is around US$30 for a year during which time you'll receive
several very informative booklets, can submit requests to be published,
and request lookups. I find this quite reasonable. If I wish to make a
purchase, I may pay a little less than a non-member.

As far as this (BDM or MI) information being in the "public domain," it
absolutely is but...it costs money to maintain these records, to provide
lookups, make copies, to go trekking around on the "blasted heath",
etc. I live in the USA and a couple of years ago I needed a certified
copy of my mother's birth certificate. I drove to the town where she
was born, requested a copy, received it in about 5 minutes, and turned
over $25. I pay less for copies that I've downloaded from Scottish
websites and, believe me, far less than I've paid researchers. The
state, towns, and historical societies where I live all charge small
fees for search time and use of their equipment. It's up to the
researcher whether or not they wish to pay. Heck, even public libraries
charge to make copies or use their computers.

I own many of the Aberdeenshire MI booklets and at appx US$4.00, they
were well worth the cost. I have provided info, on occasion, to others,
as a one shot deal but telling them there are X number of others in the
book with the same surname. I don't say "I have the X Y and Z MIs and
will do lookups" for the same reason I won't post my tree on line. I
pays me money, I owns the work. Just like the ANESFHS paid their money
and owns their work. I'm not about to distribute hundreds of dollars
worth of research freely to have anyone use it as they wish and neither
should ANESFHS be expected to.

Barbara
ANESFHS 12771

> Anyway, the point is that anesfhs own the copyright to the
> MI records and it is their right to determine how the data
> can be used. The whys and wherefores are obvious to me.
> I'm sure we can all live amicably with the situation and
> respect their position, especially Gavin's. After all he is
> the one who gets out on the blasted heaths on many
> weekends each year - and who of us hasn't been helped
> and informed by him in so many ways?
>
> Best wishes to all researchers.
>
> Ray Hennessy
>
>

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