My mailbox filled up quickly after last week’s article was published; several people wrote about still other scam operations on the Web. A newer site has appeared recently that seems to be very similar in operation. GenLocator.com. This new site offers essentially the same "service" as Genealogy-Developments.com although the price is slightly different: $39.99 for two years.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see more Web sites spring up soon with similar offers. I would assume that having more sites in operation will create more income for the site owner(s). After all, it doesn’t take much work to create one of these Web sites that simply links you to other sites.

If you have suspicions about a site’s services, I would suggest that you check this newsletter as I normally write about all new major sources of genealogy information within a week or two of their appearance. You can easily search past newsletters here. Simply type in the questionable site’s name in the "Search the Library" box and then click on SEARCH. You will then find any articles that I have written about that site, whether it is a positive or a negative review.

There are several other "watchdog sites" that monitor websites like FamilyDiscovery.com, Genealogy-Developments.com, and GenLocator.com. The International Blacksheep Society of Genealogists maintains a "Genealogy Hall of Shame" at: http://blacksheep.rootsweb.com/familydiscovery.htm. The Watchdog Committee maintains the "Genealogical Web Site Watchdog" at: http://www.ancestordetective.com/watchdog.htm. You might also want to check Cyndi’s List at: http://www.cyndislist.com/myths.htm#Consumer.

If you ever have a question about an online genealogy "service," I’d suggest that you check the above sites before spending any money.

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