I'm looking for persons living in or near Shelby County who have the time and are willing to do "footwork" for others who cannot readily get here.  In Shelby County, that would consist of persons who could easily get to the Courthouse Annex, the local library or historical society in Shelbyville, as that is where our local records are located.  Do you have a digital camera and willing to take tombstone photos?   That is also a service that many people request.  Personally, I use my digital camera when I go to the Courthouse or library and take a snapshot of the needed document.  A camera with 3.0 pixels or better works just as well as making copies on a copier.   They are just as easy to read when I'm back at home as those documents printed on a copier because it downloads to my computer.  Such records could simply be emailed to the person wanting to see it.   Most at-home researchers are simply looking for particular copies of marriage records, probate/will records, etc.   I have had many online requests lately inquiring about persons doing such, but I have had no one come forward who has been willing to so.  I did have one person living in LaGrange who came into Shelbyville on occasion, but his work schedule recently changed and he is no longer able to get to Shelbyville.   I have a similar Lookup/Footwork page at the Jefferson and Oldham County KyGenWeb sites which have been very successful using volunteers.  

Of course, the KyGenWeb Project stresses free genealogy for it's visitors, but most expect to have to pay for copies of records, as is the rule at most all institutions, even though the needed documents are public record.  Most of these volunteers simply charge for their gas and cost of copies made.  You can volunteer a particular day of the week or simply tell the requester that you will get by on your next day off or when you have free time.  This is not about anyone making this a full-time job doing such, but some do make it a part-time one.   Most people are willing to pay for "footwork" when they are unable to travel or get to Shelby County themselves.  A few volunteers have actually made themselves a job by doing such things as offering to do someone's full genealogy.   That isn't asked for on a regular basis, so many just like to do simple footwork to fill their time.  There are those who take the time to look through the newspaper microfilm at the library and copying obituaries from the old newspapers.   You can see examples of what to charge by looking at the link below.  Obituaries take time to find in old newspapers because they were listed as just another article in the old days because there were not obituary sections.   This could be lucrative for someone willing to do such.

I request this now because I've received numerous emails asking about such persons.  Please email your Shelby coordinator if you have any questions or would be interested in serving in such a capacity.   The amount of time you spend on such is totally up to you and your own schedule.  This is mostly about doing a good deed for someone else who lives out of state or county who cannot get here easily.  All you need is an email where researchers can contact you to negotiate price and give details of what they need.

Similar page at the Jefferson County KyGenWeb site:   http://www.kykinfolk.com/shelby/researchers.html