Helping others with research.?

Question

I pay for the use of several "paid" sites for my own use.

When someone ASKS a research question about starting their genealogies(such as I only know thus and so about my family)can I offer to look up information for them without violating Yahoo rules?This would be strictly through using my e-mail address and asking them for more information on a particular question they ask. This is strictly FREE.Just to help out.I do not have a website or blog. I am disabled and have alot of time on my hands. I have searched Yahoo rules and Knowlege Partners rules but cannot find a real answer to this question. Any advice?

Answer 1

Think of it this way:

Very little in genealogy can be copyrighted. Almost all of it is derived from public records.

You are recruiting new members into our "cult."

You are adding to the paid sites' customer base, and you are often no doubt giving them free advertising.

You are not doing any of this for financial gain.

Answer 2

Everyone helps out if they can Virginia, I think it's really nice of you to make this offer. Where in the world are you, I think there are far more USA researchers than there is English / British. There does seem to be a them and us sort of relationship which is sad, but not to worry. We just get on and answer questions as best we can.

No division between us here in the UK and Boomer Wisdom , he's a star as far as we are all concerned, a very well learned man if I wore a hat I would take it off to him. xx for Boomer.

Answer 3

None of us here on Yahoo Answers are paid to do genealogy research, or  for any other area, for those who ask questions. If someone asks about  how to start out, we give links to free sites or use the names/dates they provide to look up information for them and copy/paste what we find out right here so others can see what we find, too --listing our sources below in case they want to print it out later. Then, if the person likes your answer best of all, you are given the points (you get 2 just for answering a question, and 10 for "best answer").

    The only thing that Yahoo doesn't approve of is supplying information on persons still living (like their address, phone number, etc. In this instance, if the person allows email--see their profile to make sure--send it that way), using racist language, etc.

     I am disabled, too, so do this to relieve my boredom.  :)

Answer 4

Of course you can help others do research.

Answer 5

some further perspective..

The majority of the regulars here, do regular 'lookups' in response to questions.  My normal pattern is that info that I find, is posted here on the board, instead of emailed.  I have a reason for this.. IF I find that so and so is in the 1870 census here, and I post that reply.. what it often does, is enable a person 'following' me to build on that, and find additional info. Not only that.. but answers which are posted in public, are archived, and using the search here or google, will bring that info out.  I think this benefits not just the poster, but perhaps a cousin down the road who might be looking for just that info.

I often remind people that they can reach me through my profile.. and yes, I do continue with many people outside the board.  There is nothing contrary to yahoo rules concerning a lookup offer per se.. the only drawback is when the question winds up in voting (many persons FAIL to choose a best answer).. if all there is, is an offer to do a search, and no real info.. then those who are reading the answers for voting, really have no basis to say that "this" is a best answer. There isn't a comparison available.

I have actually had persons contact me off the board, for info that I can give them, and I have suggested that it is to THEIR benefit to post it up for other input.  I know I am a decent researcher.. but so are many others, here. It happens a LOT that someone gets a reply from several of the regulars here, and each answer has valid but different info.  

I'd just say also.. welcome. If you hang out here, you DO become friendly with other players.