hutch (03/21/83)
The last information I had on Beatrice Bayley was that she is a fraud. The list is essentially a compilation of names from phone books which you could then call to do your own genealogical research, which is not particularly useful for most folks. She may since have added some other information to her lists. According to Action! (a local paper's consumer gripe column, some time last year, a woman in the Beaverton area sent for the book, and was stiffed for excessive postage and handling costs when she returned the book. Ms Bailey seems to feel that she is providing a real service, but it is not useful to most people, especially those who don't want to waste time calling long-distance cross country. The above information is true to the best of my knowledge and may have been rendered obsolete if Ms Bayley has decided to do further research on each name she sells. (Yes, I have gotten a similar advertisement, and did NOT respond) Steve Hutchison
grm (03/23/83)
What I have heard about the Bailey genealogy books are that they are essentially a compilation of names from all of the US telephone directories. As such they provide no information regarding the relationships of the people listed other than that they share the same surname. This list could possibly be of use in tracing your family if you wish to write to other people with your name in hopes of finding some who are related to your "known" ancestors.
rlr (03/24/83)
I believe Johnny Carson (of "Here's Johnny" fame) got the same letter, and
was so impressed with the "research" into the Carson family history that he
went and ordered that family crest that they also offered. He was a bit
embarassed when he saw the same crest mounted on the wall at the house of
a friend with a totally different name (not Carson). I can imagine the
research involved looking in a large number of telephone books...
Rich
(I think Carson was mad enough about this that he named the compnay on air.
I don't remember if this is the same company recently referred to here.)mmr (03/24/83)
Funny thing, the Reek family got one of those last week too. Same wording. I read in Consumer's Reports that those things are a rip-off. All they do is look through phone books and put down the names, giving no real information. If you are interested in geneology there are better sources - for example you might start with the DAR to see if something has already been done. Margaret Reek ucbvax!allegra!rochester!ritcv!mmr
pal (03/25/83)
Another one on the Beatrice Bayley mailing list. Same wording. Must be a rip-off. I will eat all parts of my family tree that appear in the book (I have no relatives in the U.S.).
rosin (03/28/83)
If you'll buy one from her for her price, I'll offer you one for 10% less. Don't bite; it ain't worth it. I saw an article on these pubs in Consumers Reports, Time, or somewhere else exposing them for what they are - - largely cannned material gleaned from enclyclopedias and the same place national mailers get their stuff. (e.g, There are 26,372 Lurias in the US; 14% live in the South, 28% in the Northeast, . . . ) Bob Rosin, American Bell, Lincroft, 201-576-3549