Genealogists benefit tremendously from collaborating with each other — and technology makes it easier than ever to share our findings. But when you post family information online, submit it to a pedigree database or send it to other researchers, it's important to practice these five rules of file-sharing etiquette.

1. Aim for accuracy. Pay close attention to spelling, dates and relationships. Use your software's tools to check for likely problems, such as children born just a few months apart or people who lived well past 100 years. Most important of all, document your sources and include your documentation in your GEDCOM file or on your Web site. Knowing whether your information came from primary sources or a vague family tradition will help other researchers evaluate it. If you question something, use the notes option in your genealogy file to mention your doubts.