I don't think Genealogy is fading in interest  and I don't think obsolete is 
the correct descriptive word.  I hear a lot of you complaining about having 
to buy a book or two.  Have you ever written a book and know the money it 
takes doing the research and the tedious hours of typing it???  Most of you 
haven't a clue..  I have and I'm here to tell you that I have and I still 
haven't recouped the money I spent in traveling and visiting every Library, 
Historical Society, Cemetery and I could go on and on.  I've paid everyone 
that has kindly helped me over the internet either monetarily or a small 
gift and sometimes a heart felt "Thank you."  I subscribe to Ancestry 
because they have a treasure trove of printed material from everything 
including newspapers and books.  Everything in my book is documented with 
"Hard Copy" proof.

After I published my book I created my own website and yes I pay for that 
too but the hundreds of items on it I give to you freely.  The items are 
things that I have ferreted from those same Court Houses, Libraries  etc etc 
that I mentioned above that I used for my book.  The website holds wills, 
letters etc that I found and yes also paid for the copies, after publishing 
my book.  I buy history books and genealogy books like some women buy 
clothes.  Thank God for digital cameras as I have copied many, Many 
cemeteries and a few are on my website.  I posted dozens of letters from the 
Helena, Montana Historical Society that are on my Website.  A direct 
descendant of the author of these letters ask me it he could copy these 
letters but not once did he say thanks.  I know that lots of my website 
stuff is copied and no one ever bothers to say thanks.  I don't really mind 
but it sure would  fly my bonnet if they would just a few times.

Ancestry and the LDS Library are so flagrantly guilty of passing on 
fallacious information it is pathetic.  They do this by accepting donated 
family history that has not been proven in any way shape or form.  They 
should stop doing this.  However they both provide valuable information that 
has been proven.  No one is perfect nor is this a perfect world :-))

I post my website as part of my signature and I have rec'd flak about that 
saying I am trying to sell my book.  Your darn toot'n I'm trying to sell my 
book because I am still trying to put the money I have used back into my 
savings.  My book occupies one of my web pages that has to be clicked by the 
visitor in order to view.  I use my website primarily to share with others 
of my large family.

Sorry I made this so long but I love to write and sometimes it takes a brick 
through the computer to shut me up..

My very best to everyone and have a great summer.. Fern K. Buford Walker
www.bufordfamilies.com

To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at
http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html