I would like David or his supervisor to respond to these questions. But first I will explain my position.

I "HAD" several GEDCOMs on Ancestry, Rootsweb, MyFamily and even Genealogy.com, which I removed due to the concerns I have about OWT. I have contacted 3 or 4 people about their GEDCOMs, which had downloaded and merged my files with theirs. I asked them to remove the portion of their files that had come from my original tree. They are not complying, or haven't as of yet. I am very distraught by this. I shared with them my feelings of disappointment that family tree files were being STITCHED together without EACH submitter being asked about it. In my opinion, if the user wants their tree to be included in OWT, Ancestry should make it MANDATORY for each GEDCOM owner to submit the GEDCOMs to the new search engine. The fact that we have been given until May 21, 2004 to delete our files, tells me that they understand that they are USING/TAKING our files without direct permission. Ancestry is stealing, and making a profit. If Ancestry automatically TAKES these files and "stitches" them together without some sort of written or electronic consent form, I say SHAME SHAME SHAME on Ancestry!

Here's my 1st question:

If I have already paid for a full subscription to access all of the locked information records, just what on earth is the additional $39.95 going to get me? I already have access to the census, military, .....etc. Am I nuts or am I just paying for the convenience of it all being on one page? Any one can search those files with great ease already! Digging is have of the fun!

Secondly,

If the users that have taken my GEDCOM and merged it with theirs does not remove the research that I freely shared, because I felt confident that my efforts would not be used by the websites in any way to make a profit, do Ancestry and the parties involved realize that they are indeed invading the privacy of another?

This paragraph is included in the Submission Agreement:

"You agree not to submit information that infringes on the copyrights of others, invades the privacy of others, or is defamatory or profane in any way. Ancestry reserves the right to remove any information, which, at its sole discretion, violates these terms."

Will Ancestry remove a GEDCOM file from OWT if the submitter is not complying with the above statement?

I will not stand still for other users to include my files on OWT. Is Ancestry ready for the multiple lawsuits that they will be faced with? Does Ancestry want their users to be included in those lawsuits?

From the looks of these message boards, there are many people upset by this new OWT search engine, and the fact that Ancestry fails to clarify ALL of the necessary information for their users, is staggering! Again, SHAME SHAME SHAME.

I have read the posts from users stating that the preview (why they call it that, then charge for it, I still don't understand that one) has mistakes, and "GLITCHES IN THEIR STITCHES" (feel free to use my newly coined phrase! <G>) what is being done to clear this up?

We need the truth, and soon.....Just for fun, lets see a show of hands from the folks that share my position!

Thanks in advance for your time and the truthful answer we all need to hear.

Wanda Case