There is a difference and the difference can be you. Some folks never get beyond the phase of looking for that person who has done the work and swap with them. These folks always have a brick wall that needs climbing but never figure out that they have the ability to climb it by doing research and adding to the body of knowledge. The LDS did the genealogical community a wonderful thing when they went through Europe before WWII and filmed church records that were destroyed in the war. Renting the microfilm and reading it in one of their family history centers in a positive side of what they do genealogically. Their family files are sadly flawed and instead of correcting them, they just add the new material and continue to sell them all. As to the republication of genealogies that appeared in no longer extent magazines such as Tyler's Quarterly, or William and Mary Quarterly there is a reason why those appear. The copyright has run out and they are free to do so. More recent articles that contain corrections can be found Indexed in PERSI. PERSI is a Reader's Guide for Genealogical Article and it originates at The Allen County, [Indiana] Public Library. They update it every year. It is on CD-ROM. Every genealogists is thrilled at the beginning when they find what is out there. But it takes a while before they realize how flawed some of the swapped material is. About 5 years ago there was a publication that focused on the Garrett family. It is one of my lines so I work on it when I have time. I pointed out to the editor that I had done a study on a the Catlett family who was alleged to have been the name of the wife, in an effort to sort out the claim. I compiled every record created by a person with the name Catlett and told her it was not possible the wife could be a Catlett from the line of John. The editor's answer was a list of 30 people who claimed it was so. No reply when I pointed out if it came from the same source it was wrong. Once someone puts something into print it takes on a life of its own. I cringe when I think of what I did early on and so do other professional genealogist. I now require persons to allow me to look at what they intend to publish because I want what is credited to me to be correct. I think fraudulent is a rather strong word and should be avoided in favor of undocumented and faulty. After all most folks one meets through genealogy are good honest family oriented people. I have never figured out why one would GIVE their information to a commercial enterprise to sell. Margaret To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html