<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML xmlns:v = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1 = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"><HEAD> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <TITLE>Message</TITLE> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.6000.16890" name=GENERATOR><o:SmartTagType name="PlaceType" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:SmartTagType><o:SmartTagType name="PlaceName" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:SmartTagType><o:SmartTagType name="country-region" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:SmartTagType><o:SmartTagType name="State" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:SmartTagType><o:SmartTagType name="City" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:SmartTagType><o:SmartTagType name="place" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:SmartTagType> <STYLE>@font-face { font-family: Helvetica; } @font-face { font-family: Tahoma; } @page Section1 {size: 8.5in 11.0in; margin: 1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; } P.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman" } LI.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman" } DIV.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman" } A:link { COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } SPAN.MsoHyperlink { COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } A:visited { COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } SPAN.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } SPAN.EmailStyle19 { COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-style-type: personal-reply } DIV.Section1 { page: Section1 } </STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY lang=EN-US style="WORD-WRAP: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space" vLink=blue link=blue> <DIV><SPAN class=910082617-03102009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>It seems to me that basic elementary level classes are readily available, many at little or no cost, through local chapters, libraries, internet offerings, etc.  </FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=910082617-03102009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=910082617-03102009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>It follows that our national conferences should ideally be aimed at a higher level of instruction - probably intermediate, but certainly advanced.  They should be styled to attract those who have gone beyond a mild interest in hobby genealogy and focus on those who are serious researchers and are seeking more than is readily available locally.</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=910082617-03102009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=910082617-03102009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>Wanda Samek</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=910082617-03102009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=910082617-03102009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV></DIV> <DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> apgpubliclist-bounces@apgen.org [mailto:apgpubliclist-bounces@apgen.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Alvie L. Davidson CG<BR><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, October 03, 2009 9:10 AM<BR><B>To:</B> 'Amy Crow'; 'Jeanette Daniels'<BR><B>Cc:</B> apgpubliclist@apgen.org; Rolgeiger@aol.com<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [APG Public List] Who Are We, Really?<BR><BR></FONT></DIV> <DIV class=Section1> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Good morning Amy<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I totally agree with you by taking the titles of each of these presentations and assuming they definitely are not basic.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Several years ago I took in a presentation entitled something like “Probate and Genealogy” and the presenter was a judge.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I don’t recall where this was but I sat through half of the presentation and got bored out of my gourd as the presenter just stood <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Before the podium and read a dissertation of sorts.  There was no visual of any sort.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I would love to personally see some of these you listed, such as “Congressional Hearings” or “Inferential Genealogy”.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Just my two cents worth.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Alvie L. Davidson CG<BR><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Lakeland</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Florida</st1:State></st1:place><BR><A href="http://alviesgenealogyspot.blogspot.com">http://alviesgenealogyspot.blogspot.com</A></SPAN></FONT><FONT color=navy><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=navy size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: navy"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">CG and Certified Genealogist are Service Marks of the <BR>Board for Certification of Genealogists <BR>used under license after periodic evaluations by the Board.</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P></DIV> <DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> <HR tabIndex=-1 align=center width="100%" SIZE=2> </SPAN></FONT></DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><B><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">From:</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> apgpubliclist-bounces@apgen.org [mailto:apgpubliclist-bounces@apgen.org] <B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">On Behalf Of </SPAN></B>Amy Crow<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sent:</SPAN></B> Saturday, October 03, 2009 9:47 AM<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To:</SPAN></B> Jeanette Daniels<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Cc:</SPAN></B> apgpubliclist@apgen.org; Rolgeiger@aol.com<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Subject:</SPAN></B> Re: [APG Public List] Who Are We, Really?</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P></DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">I don't think it is accurate to say that the national conferences "want to keep them at the basic elementary level for the benefit of those just starting in genealogy." In looking over the program for last month's FGS conference in Little Rock, for example, I found these topics: "Murder and Mayhem on the River: The Life of the Harpes," "Beyond the Dawes Rolls," "Congressional Hearings: A Primer on This Valuable Resource," "Genealogical Application of Historical GIS," "Women and the Law," "Researching the Family Business," "Inferential Genealogy," "Negro Soldiers of Antebellum Louisiana". <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">I don't think you can classify any of those as being at the "basic elementary level for the benefit of those just starting genealogy."  (There were several other such topics, but I didn't think anyone wanted me to enumerate all of them.)<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The difficulty in planning the program for a national (or even a state) conference, as has been mentioned before, is that there is a **wide** variety of attendees. Some are novices; others are professionals. Most fall somewhere in between at any point on spectrum. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Amy Crow<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">On Oct 2, 2009, at 10:52 PM, Jeanette Daniels wrote:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><BR><BR><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <DIV> <DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"><SPAN style="WORD-SPACING: 0px; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">Dear APG Public list,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">I have truly enjoyed reading all the comments by everyone about Who Are We, Really? as well as the National Conferences.  It is great to have this type of dialogue.  It appears that those involved with the National Conferences want to keep them at the basic elementary level for the benefit of those just starting in genealogy.  Others would like a more what I call a "Continuing Education" type of conference where detailed studies are presented in methology or research.  I believe that both are beneficial.  I've been thinking how everyone that wants to be included could without a lot of expense and ways that those who want to share can without again a lot of expense. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">I'm thinking of Roland in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region> and Larry in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region> as well as the fact that in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> we live in at least 4 different time zones.  How can we all contribute to a presentation that we feel would benefit others and avoid having all interested from spending a lot money to attend?  The Internet is my answer and I believe that Internet Continuing Education type conferences can be created cheaply.  I work with <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Heritage</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Genealogical</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> and it would be possible to create an APG or independent conference online through its website.  HGC could donate space and create conference presentation locations on its site.  Or if APG wanted to create something on its website that would be great as well.  But I'm not sure that APG is willing or able to do something like this.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">If anyone is interested in something like this and in coming up with topics and presentations, please respond.  I believe that everyone that wants more detailed presentations can be included.  Below are some suggested general topics that might be interested to explore with such online conference presentations. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">Cemetery plot research<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">Land title disputes<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">Missing heir research cases<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">Forensic and anthropological research<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">Medical DNA research<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">Historical research<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">Specific genealogical research projects<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">Improving the Genealogical Proof Standard<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"><BR>Jeanette<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"><BR> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> <HR align=center width="100%" SIZE=1> </SPAN></FONT></DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><B><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">From:</SPAN></FONT></B><SPAN class=apple-converted-space><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> </SPAN></FONT></SPAN><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">"<A href="mailto:Rolgeiger@aol.com">Rolgeiger@aol.com</A>" <<A href="mailto:Rolgeiger@aol.com">Rolgeiger@aol.com</A>><BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To:</SPAN></B><SPAN class=apple-converted-space> </SPAN><A href="mailto:apgpubliclist@apgen.org">apgpubliclist@apgen.org</A><BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sent:</SPAN></B><SPAN class=apple-converted-space> </SPAN>Fri, October 2, 2009 4:58:05 PM<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Subject:</SPAN></B><SPAN class=apple-converted-space> </SPAN>Re: [APG Public List] Who Are We, Really?<BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT color=black><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><BR><BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT id=role_document face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">In einer eMail vom 03.10.2009 00:33:42 Westeurop�ische Normalzeit schreibt<SPAN class=apple-converted-space> </SPAN><A href="mailto:mary@heirlines.com">mary@heirlines.com</A>:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN-TOP: 5pt; PADDING-LEFT: 4pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 5pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN-LEFT: 3.75pt; BORDER-LEFT: blue 1.5pt solid; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none"> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Is genealogy a viable occupation?  Should we have a profession for the practitioner? Why is there no profession in genealogy?   Who would benefit from having a real profession in genealogy?  What is stopping us from starting now and organizing a real profession in genealogy?  Why shouldn’t we organize a profession so we can have the authority in Professional Genealogy  to establish best practices, standards, ethics, education degree programs, competency testing and verifiable maintenance, continuing-education, verifiable practitioner credentialing, members-only profession practitioner and trade organizations?  With a real profession in genealogy, what would be the exclusive practitioner title?  <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Yeah, and once you have all that, what about us on the other side of an <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> border? Why should we care about what you consider or what you arrange?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Here in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region> genealogy is more or a less a hobby. There are some very few of us who do it for money and there are a majority of others who look at us with ravaging eyes stating on every opportunity they have how much they don't like what we do. To be a professional may be a reason to be excluded from one of the many German genealogical forums.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">But like in the States everyone of us professionals has never passed an examination or something like that. There is a group of professionals who joined in a specific associtiation with its own "Code of Honor". I got an invitation to join them but had no opportunity yet to visit one of the conferences during which the accept new members. But there would be no need to join them to work as a professional researcher. I've been working in the matter for at least 15 years, specialising in emigration to the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> (because I speak English :-) and other stuff. So - when the company I worked for - fired me five years ago, I became a professional researcher. Among other things. I went to our Public Record Office, told them about the company I would like to found (you need a company to be able to sell your own written products), payed the fee of 30 Euros - and there was I facing the world through my computer and said: "Hello, here I am!" Well, some came, other didn't or haven't yet. :-)<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">You are lucky in the States. Genealogy is a common thing overthere on high level. Here it's not much more than just another part of historic research (I know a lady here in our county, historian by trade, who would never to genealogy, oh my goodness, no such things - but that's less arrogance but ignorance - in case there is a difference). People are not used to spend more money in that subject than necessary - necessary would be fees for the Public Record Office or the dioces archives or national or city archives. Costs you cannot avoid. They pay without hesitation. But if you (or I) offer the same service - maybe cheaper - well, that's not the same.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Oops, it's getting late (one in the monring).<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Good night.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Roland Geiger<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2 family="SANSSERIF"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Roland Geiger<BR>Historical and Genalogical Research<BR>Alsfassener Strasse 17<BR>66606 St. Wendel<BR><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region><BR>phone ++49 - 6851-3166<BR>email<SPAN class=apple-converted-space> </SPAN><A href="mailto:rolgeiger@aol.com">rolgeiger@aol.com</A><BR><A href="http://www.geiger-roland.de/" target=_blank>www.geiger-roland.de</A><BR><BR>=> genealogy<BR>=> local history<BR>=> transcriptions (f.e. old German into modern)<BR>=> guided tours through St. Wendel County (uhm, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">St. Wendel</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place>!)<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Helvetica color=black size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica"><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>APG Public Mailing List<BR><A href="http://apgen.org/publications/publiclist/">http://apgen.org/publications/publiclist/</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>