People have asked me and I have asked myself, "Why don't you do this professionally?"
I am not sure. My day job as a nurse pays the bills, but it's not as glamorous as what you see on television. People do not place a high monetary value on genealogical research. They do not realize the time, effort, travel, and reading required to uncover a scattered or elusive lineage. People also feel that the records should be of little or no cost, while we know that states charge upwards of $30 for a vital records certificate. People often email me (often with misspellings and without providing their name) asking me, "Can I have all your research on this line?" As if I didn't spend years crawling through cemeteries, sneezing over moldy record books, and straining my eyes deciphering grainy microfilm to reach the point where I am in my research. If I wanted my research online for anyone to take and credit themselves, I would have already done that.
Did I digress? Pardon me.
I am enjoying Mr. MacEntee's articles and encourage you all to read them as well.
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| Me (left) and my sister Danielle (right) in 2004 at Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery Bushkill Center, Northampton County, Pennsylvania |
