I might very very distorted as to my memory in my old age.
I used to do it all the old way. Exchange trillions of of US MAILS and the SASE stuff !! Of coarse pay for minimal costs for records here and there. Travel to audit cemeteries and look up things not possible by mail.
But that 'minimal cost' rose rose rose. Make a huge profit off records. (to balance budgets?)
o-pay a professional ?? !!! They might be good but I was never a believer in paying for your 'tree'. Is it ever correct ? Maybe it's just me as I have never solved much of mine. (then I can buy it ?) /// mostly northern New England and Eastern Canada. geeeeezzzzzzz even New Brunswick totally burned about 1850.
Bash the landlord ? I think (I have not checked of recent) a pay subscription (website hosting,etc.)to myfamily.com is a good deal. As to Ancestry.Com ?? $4000000 dollars for 30 days ?
I just wish there were more 'exchange info' 'non-profit' which seems to be a dieing thing.