Betty,
Your rant is not without merit. It is so true that there are multiple trees online by the same posters who have only just made new trees rather than to correct them. This matter was addressed in several Rootsweb Review newsletters recently, which gave specific instructions on how to correct this, as well as an explanation of why some of those trees are still there. Basically, Ancestry.com and Rootsweb have separate ways of uploading a tree, which now appear on either site. It is also because people using Rootsweb to upload their trees are not using the "Edit Your family tree online" link on Rootsweb's Home Page to update their trees. When you use the "Edit" option to upload your tree already online, it automatically replaces the old tree, and it shows the date that it is being updated. This is a wonderful option, and people do need to use it, because I agree, there is way too much redundant information on multiple trees by the same author, that doesn't include any corrections that might have been placed on that author's newer tree. For anyone not familiar with the process, I am posting this link to the Rootsweb Review dated September 29, 2004, which is among the many times they've commented on this issue. This article was entitled "Pruning Redundant Branches":
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/review/20040929.txtFor anyone interested in getting regular information about what's going on in the genealogy world, as well as good tips about how to do their research, I would urge them to subscribe to Rootsweb Review and/or Ancestry Daily Newsletter, which are available for FREE at each site. They are delivered directly to your email box, and they provide invaluable information to help everyone in their research.
Deloris Williams
P.S.
I have ONE tree online viewable through either Rootsweb or Ancestry for free, and I update it at least every three weeks with any new data I find.