Dear Rex,
Thank you kindly for your honest reply to my question. I really
appreciate it.
I certainly understand your concerns about once you post records on line
that they are public domain,as I am no novice to this myself,infact I spent
the better part of two years transcribing the LaGrange Co,IN WPA Birth Records
from 1880-1920 for the LaGrange Co.,IN genweb site and never saw a dime for all
the work.
I do also,understand your reasoning that the Genealogical Society needs
funds. As I am on the board of a non-profit historical and genealogical
society myself and we are also short of funds and money does influence alot of the
decisions that we must make on what projects get done. I am also a member of
many others in counties where the majority of my ancestors resided. But money
does add up suppporting these societies also.
I asked my questions though about Jay County,because I only have one
family that was in Jay County for a little while and though I would like to
research them via the internet and learn more about them, honestly I do not really
think that I can afford to spend the money at this time purchasing all types of
things in the hopes of finding a little bit during their time there.
Your email though is most appreciated as I now realize that this family
will just need to wait until I have the time and oney to travel to Jay county
to do my research in person.
Thank you again,for not flaming me for my question,it truly was something
that I needed to have answered before I could make any decisions as to how to
move on with my research of this family.
Tae care,
Pati Blowers May
In a message dated 6/27/03 12:03:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
rexwb(a)insightbb.com writes:
As admistrator of this list, I will allow some discussion one this
subject,
only as long as everyone sters clear of making accusations towards anyone,
or flaming. None of that sort of thing will be allowed. Now... for my two
cents worth...
I have purchased many books, cd's and have a couple of subscriptions. At
the same time, I have transcribed a few census records and some marriage
records which are for sale. I do profit from these items, and I also donate a
percentage from sales of my books and cd's to the Jay Co. Genealogical Society.
The Genealogy Society cannot exist without income from all of the materials
they have for sale. Although I do contribute to the Genealogical Society from
sales of my materials, I also do profit from them, and I don't feel a bit
guilty about it. If I did not profit some (and believe me, it's not much) from
these things, I could not afford to take the time to do them. I work as a
K. J. (Karaoke Jockey) on the weekends. However, that does not support my
family. So, if I didn't profit a little from this sort of thing, I would need
to find a dailey job to support my family. Therefore, I would not be
transcribing records, photographing all the tombstones in the cemeteries i!
n the county, etc.
Now... as to donating resources such as my own or the Salamonie cemetery
book to USGENWEB, that makes these things public domain. Then what would happen
is that someone would steal these records and publish them using their own
copyright. Once that information is placed in public domain, it is there for
the taking. What about supporting our own Genealogical Societies? The
people who did the Salamonie Cemetery book were kind enough to "donate" that
material to the Jay Co. Genealogical Society, and all proceeds go to them. If it
were posted on Genweb, we would be stealing money from the Genealogy Society.
They need this sort of thing to survive, and we need them. That brings
about another question.... Do we all belong to the Jay County Genealogy
Society? They help us all in many ways, whether we realize it or not. They charge
a measley $10.00 per year to be a member. Newsletters come out regularly.
The answer query's. They are constantly adding materials to their !
library. If you are not a member, please consider it.
Rex Bertram
PO Box 651
Redkey, IN 47373