Plagiarism Concerns......Sadly

The definition of plagiarism is

"The practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own."

Several weeks ago I had a communication with someone who had obviously looked at my web page and seen the list of presentation and details of "The Book of Me, Written by You". I answered the question they raised and thought no more of it.

Why should I? - The world of genealogy, family history and taking things a step further is developing and genealogists do like to collaborate on projects, which is absolutely something I subscribe to.

Then I had another several communications with other people which left me feeling that potentially a piece or perhaps pieces of my work were potentially at risk of being plagiarized by the initial individual. I slept on the concerns and this morning after a trouble nights sleep I feel just as concerned.

1. I have no proof, that anything will happen or indeed has happened. 
2. I have a nagging feeling of concern that will not go away
3. All I have are a series of individual instances that when joined together cause concern
4. I personally always name someone if they have inspired an idea. An example of this was the February Photo Collage Festival which was inspired by Kristen and Pauleen - 
1. That is good practice
2. polite 
3. morally the right thing to do.

We all work hard at what we achieve. In the relationships that we build despite the miles, we show respect and friendship. We collaborate ideas and thoughts and that is perfectly acceptable and welcomed.

What is not acceptable is that someone whose work has been created through hard graft is taken and used as someone else's, and furthermore, that friendship offered and received is so easily tarnished, exploited and deceived.

Therefore, I will do this. Should any of my work be plagiarized by anyone, including those well known within the family history arena I will name and shame. It is as simple as that.