There are reputable genealogy sites and for-fee databases available
online. Successful for-hire relationships CAN be developed with private
researchers online.These researchers openly divulge their identity, background, and give good advice or occasional
look-ups for free to others on mailing lists, etc., in addition to working for hire on
larger projects for clients. In other words, they have EARNED our business. They conduct
themselves as professionals and frequently donate files to genealogy websites. They do not
hide behind aliases such as 'teensycat', etc. or steal webpages from sites like this and
claim the work as their own.
There are also Hucksters and Scams.
Anyone holding themselves out to sell products or services to the public should be fully
willing to divulge his/her/its identity and qualifications so his/her/its "standing in the
genealogical circles," etc., can be apprised out in the open. It is NOT generally acceptable
to make a blanket "I'm available for hire" ad or announcement on rootsweb mailing lists or
message boards. It is against rootsweb rules to send such a message to dozens of listservs
at once to solicit business. When such messages are found, mailing list and site coordinators
will remove them whenever possible to protect the researchers. If you have questions, contact
the site administrator or see How to Hire a Professional on the Association of Professional
Genealogists website.
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KNOWN GENEALOGY SCAMS ONLINE
BEFORE giving any money to an online genealogy site, check these sites to see if
they are listed as being scams.
Genealogy Hall of Shame
Genealogical Web Site WatchDog
Cyndis List
The following are scams I am aware of:
Genlocator
This service charges, then takes the surname you enter and then transfers
you to a free search engine. One of them they use is Alta Vista, a free search engine
to use to begin with. So for the $36.00 {on line check} or $40.00
{check through the mail}, they then transfer your search to a free search engine.
FamilyDiscovery.com
This service charges then the links that you are presented with are links to free sites
such as mine, or steals the pages and adds them to their collection.
GenealogyDevelopments.com
Same story with this one. It links you to free databases and search engines.
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Email Joan