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Archiver > ILMACOUP > 2003-02 > 1044733163


From: "rmiller" <>
Subject: [ILMacoupin] The Name Game - "Stole My Data"
Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2003 13:39:23 -0600


To all those who have made comments regarding this issue. I would like to say this:

1. Are you certain the person's intentions was to steal your information and not give you credit for the work you had done?

2. Is it possible that person was just to ignorant to common courtesy as well as some normal genealogy research procedures.

3. Or is it possible that the person thought that because you are still alive it would be better not to post your name WITHOUT getting your permission first.

I am by NO MEANS upholding someone who did this because I do not think it is a good thing to do. But I must admit that when I was a mere babe in doing research I copied, cut and past things and posted on websites as queries without using the name of the person who actually found that information, as well as in my own family tree maker program I have saved I did not always give credit to the person who had orginally found the information. Sometimes because I didn't know for sure who did, but mostly out of simple ignorance to how things should be done, not because I was stealing anything or trying to take credit for what someone else did.

I have not of course posted those things on Ancestry or Genealogy.com because I do not necessarly know how to and because I do not care to share that information on a site that charges access. They do not sell the information but sell access to that information. I DO NOT MIND in the least sharing that information with those researching the family as long as it is someone for the family. I have been contacted by a couple of people doing research for books to sell for profit, and they have no family connections and with those I do not share, unless I did it by accident.

I think that we need to be very careful before we start pointing fingers when we are not sure of all of the facts.

Even to the reason that the person has not responded -- have you once ever thought that the person may no longer be living or that they may no longer have that email address, and they did not receive your note.

These are just thoughts, not judgement or finger pointing.

Thanks. Rhonda

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