Like one of the previous commenters said, I look for value in what I spent my money on. If a webinar, conference or book provides information or resources that I need to further my research and it isn’t available elsewhere for free, it’s worth it to me as long as the price isn’t out of my budget. Others may find value in different items than I do, but it all comes down to what a particular product or service is worth to you.

The value for money principle also applies for resources such as Ancestry. I know I can access the subscription site for free from my local library. However, I have a young child who isn’t going to sit quietly while I do my research. The subscription price is worth it for me since it allows me to research from home at my convenience while she is sleeping or busy playing with her toys.

It never ceases to amaze me that some people feel like an offer for assistance entitles them to whatever they ask for, even if it’s outside of the bounds of what was offered. I have a standing offer on my blog’s Facebook page to help people with getting started in genealogy or offer direction if someone is stuck. Yet, there are still some that send me a message asking (demanding) that I research their entire tree and get mad when I tell them I don’t do genealogy research for free.

I prefer my freebies benefit the genealogy community at large. That is why I devote my volunteer efforts to FindAGrave, Restore the Ancestors and FamilySearch.

In these budgetary times, I lament that I can’t travel to and pay for genealogical seminars as I wish. I really have to count my pennies.

That said, I get offers to speak at organizations; some will pay but many will not (somehow, they feel they are doing ME a favor by providing an audience). LOL

I think we have to figure a new way to monetize our passion/skills/expertise.

Perhaps more importantly, we have to continue to love what we do.

Peace & Blessings,
“Guided by the Ancestors”

Thanks Thomas for an interesting discussion topic it brought to light a number of considerations.

(1) The genealogy community is quite lucky to have a wellfunded group interested in providing information free of charge for the asking – the LDS/FamilySearch organization. I have made use of their websites, their library in SLC and attended seminars or conferences put on at their local facilities. I understand it is part of their faith/belief system to do genealogy but the rest of us get a tremedous gift resulting from their activity.
(2) However, we need to remember that someone is paying for this service AND that information is not and never has been “free.” Perhaps you have not paid for this service but you have benefited from someone else paying for it.
(3) It is great that people volunteer their time and effort to put information out there for the rest of us. But volunteer work it is not something we should demand or feel entitled to.
(4) It is also understandable that people would provide their knowledge and services for a fee – this is employment and something to be encouraged! No one would expect a doctor, lawyer, teacher, manufacturer, assemblyline worker, (and the list is endless) to work for free and/or give away their service – why would we expect it in the field of genealogy? The dignity of work and a fair standard of living for all people is a basic right.
(5) Knowledge is valuable in every field – that is why people go to school and get an education. They invest their time and money and deserve a fair return on their investment. This is what the marketplace is all about.
(6) No one is talking about “hoarding” knowledge and no one is referring to “unwashed masses” or “tainting fortunes.” Words matter, they can be taken several ways and they can be taken out of context.
(7) Thank you to all the people who blog and share their knowledge with the rest of us, thank you to all the people who develop software that the rest of us use in doing genealogy, thank you to all the companies and indviduals that provide information through websites, webinars and societies. I appreciate not having to travel to Sweden, Norway, Ireland and Canada to conduct my research and happily budget for and pay the costs associated with software programs, “pay” websites, and conferences and seminars.
(8) We would all be well-served with a little less of an entitlement mindset and a little more of an appreciative/thankful/respectful mindset.