I understand your motivation I just don't agree with it. I have spent 40 years researching my family. I kept my tree private because I hadn't the time to prove all of the families I had connected. When I did the DNA I decided to make it public. So many individuals have shared with me over the years the least I can do is share

Yes some folks just cut and paste constantly but who cares. We all share ancestors so why not share information. I try to write most folks but frankly who could write to thousands of people and keep it all straight.

Rather than look at it as stealing how about being a little more charitable and calling it sharing with others. Or even sharing with relatives. Yes it is discouraging when you have spent years and tons of money but so have others from whom you benefit.

Just a different perspective I guess. I hope that more people reconsider and make their trees Public. We will accomplish much more by working together. Stone Soup!