Last Weekend’s Records Warehouse Fire in Brooklyn Could Have Been Worse

This last weekend, a seven-alarm warehouse fire in Brooklyn put many public records in danger. It’s now been determined that losses may not have been as bad as were initially feared. The following is from an article by Anemona Hartocollis, Continue reading Last Weekend’s Records Warehouse Fire in Brooklyn Could Have Been Worse

Historic Ottoman Documents to Be Restored by Turkish Agency

On the 7th of February, 2014, protestors set fire to the presidency office in the Bosnian capital city of Sarejevo. Many historic documents stolen, while others were damaged by the fire. Soon after the fire, Turkey’s Cooperation and Coordination Agency Continue reading Historic Ottoman Documents to Be Restored by Turkish Agency

160 year-old Documents Intentionally Destroyed in Franklin County, North Carolina

The story of the 160 year-old documents intentionally destroyed in Franklin County, North Carolina is now nearly two months old. I haven’t blogged about it, but many others have. Click here to read about this travesty at the Stumbling in Continue reading 160 year-old Documents Intentionally Destroyed in Franklin County, North Carolina

Appeal Being Made to the Indiana State Supreme Court Over Cause-of-Death Data on Indiana Death Certificates

An appeal is being made to the Indiana Supreme Court over Vanderburgh Circuit Court Judge Carl Heldt’s ruling that cause-of-death data is not public record. This week, Attoney General Greg Zoeller filed a request for the appeal to be heard, Continue reading Appeal Being Made to the Indiana State Supreme Court Over Cause-of-Death Data on Indiana Death Certificates

TSGS LEGISLATION ALERT! – House Bill 3252 – Closing Birth and Death Records

The following was received today from Sue Kaufman, with the Texas State Genealogical Society: We are writing to you as a member of the genealogical community of Texas to alert you to a bill being considered by the Texas Legislature. Continue reading TSGS LEGISLATION ALERT! – House Bill 3252 – Closing Birth and Death Records

Connecticut Lawmakers Want to Seal Children’s Death Records

The following excerpt is from an article posted in the February 21, 2013 edition of newstimes.com: Blaming overzealous members of the media as well as those seeking to disprove that the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School occurred, three state Continue reading Connecticut Lawmakers Want to Seal Children’s Death Records

National Archives Examines Theft of America’s National Treasures March 7

The following February 7, 2013 press release is from the NARA Press site: Barry Landau, Jason Savedoff, and their Conspiracy to Steal History Washington, D.C.: On Thursday, March 7, 2013, at noon, the National Archives hosts a discussion on the Continue reading National Archives Examines Theft of America’s National Treasures March 7

Something Must be Done About the Alaska State Library, Archives, & Museums in Juneau

The following excerpt is from an article by Bruce Parham, published in the April 10, 2012 edition of Juneauempire.com: Many Alaskans may not have heard about the dire condition of Alaska State Library, Archives, and Museums in Juneau. The state’s Continue reading Something Must be Done About the Alaska State Library, Archives, & Museums in Juneau

Document Thief Barry Landau May Have Sold Many More Documents Than Previously Believed

The following is from the March 7, 2012 edition of the Baltimore Sun: Document thief Barry Landau may have sold more of the national treasures he stole from museums — including the Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore, where his scheme Continue reading Document Thief Barry Landau May Have Sold Many More Documents Than Previously Believed

Amendments Would Defeat Pennsylvania Open Records Bill’s Purpose

Pennsylvania Genealogists – take note… My friend, Jim Beidler, wrote the following information about the potential watering down of the open records legislation now underway in Pennsylania. The following is just an excerpt of his article in the November 27, Continue reading Amendments Would Defeat Pennsylvania Open Records Bill’s Purpose

The September 11, 2001 Attacks Destroyed Millions of Records

Prior to reading about the loss of records in this weekend’s Deseret News, I hadn’t even considered the loss of records when the World Trade Center towers fell. The massive loss of lives overshadowed everything else. However, many important records Continue reading The September 11, 2001 Attacks Destroyed Millions of Records