My husband and I have been researching getting a pardon and then our passports. I have found conflicting information.

1. Is a pardon useless in that other countries will still see your record? That would be the only reason I would get a pardon

2. Does anyone know if the following charges would prevent anyone from traveling to the Netherlands and Brazil?
Theft of a check. Probation no time served. 1990s. No further criminal activity
And for me
Writing bad checks. Probation no time served 1990s No further criminal activity.

3. If a pardon is needed and helpful is it better to go through one of the businesses that advertise they can do it all for you or to do it yourself?

I can only speak for the US. Pardons are given to felons here. It appears you committed misdemeanors, not felonies. I doubt that these petty charges will keep you from traveling abroad.

Also, at least in the US, a pardon is very hard to get, a record may be expunged.

But other nations can still see the record.

You need to verify with the embassy of each nation, about visa and requrement, but with this you should be able to travel