UpFront with NGS: RPAC

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13 July 2017

RPAC Encourages Family Historians to Support NARA and Library of Congress

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RPAC Encourages Family Historians to Support NARA and Library of Congress

As many of us celebrated the 4^th of July holiday last week, the Records Preservation and Access Committee (RPAC) posted a message reminding us that the 2018 federal budget is being worked on and that the two named great resources to genealogists could be at risk. Each of us can work to ensure that invaluable and venerable programs are recognized for all that they have done in terms of preserving our history and ensuring access to it and what is still needed to be done.

With thanks to Jan Alpert and Barbara Matthews.

On May 22, 2017, President Trump released more details about his proposed Fiscal Year 2018 budget. Overall there were cuts to many of the programs that genealogists regularly use. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is targeted for a $16.6 million reduction in addition to the elimination of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), an archival grant making arm of the National Archives which provides local and state funding in the preservation of essential historical materials making them more accessible to the public. Since 1964 NHPRC has provided grants to every state and you can view a detailed list for the last thirty years at https://www.archives.gov/nhprc/projects/states-territories. When the NARA budget is cut the hours at the Washington D.C., College Park, Maryland, and Regional Archives are usually reduced. As staff cuts are made to meet the budget, our fees are often increased and the delivery time is extended for document requests. Genealogists are the largest customer base of the National Archives. If we don’t support NARA, who will?

The Library of Congress is slated to receive a $56 million increase in the FY 2018 proposed Trump budget. In addition to the library being a world-class research facility, genealogists also are benefitting from Chronicling America which is digitizing early American newspapers from 1836 to 1922 and digitizing the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of cities across the United States which have survived. If your state newspapers are being digitized, it is likely in partnership with the Library of Congress. The budget negotiations will continue for months, so although the Library of Congress is well positioned in the Trump proposed budget, funding could be reduced before the final budget is approved. Let’s not take that chance.

As genealogists, we need to support the funding of projects which provide digitization and online access to historical documents. We have the most impact if we write our Congressional Representatives. On the RPAC website http://www.fgs.org/rpac we have provided a copy of this article with links to sample letters you can send in support of NARA, NHPRC, and/or the Library of Congress. With each sample letter we have provided a chart showing the actual FY 2016 and FY 2017 funding in comparison to the proposed FY 2018 budget.

SampleLettertoCongressFY18NARA+NHPRC (002)

SampleLetterFY18LOCChronAmerSanborn (002)

If RPAC is new to you, check out the About RPAC page.

What other federal budget items could directly or indirectly affect genealogical research?

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NGS does not imply endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog. Any opinions expressed by guest authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of NGS.

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Unless indicated otherwise or clearly an NGS Public Relations piece, Upfront with NGS posts are written by Diane L Richard, editor, Upfront with NGS.

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04 November 2016

RPAC Shares ... Closing Death Records is Just Dead Wrong!

RPAC Shares ... Closing Death Records is Just Dead Wrong!

We often talk about records access and restrictions. As part of that dialogue, we often talk about the Death Master File (DMF) and restricted access to it.

RPAC recently posted Closing Death Records Is Just Dead Wrong! and states …

… The vast majority of these proposals have had the effect of limiting that access for genealogical and other purposes. The rationale used to justify most of these measures suggests an almost reflexive belief that the best or only way to prevent the fraudulent use of such data by identity thieves is to close the records thieves might have used…

… The robust notice and comment process employed by the Department of Commerce in implementing their statutory mandate has provided a forum for gathering actual impact information…

You can read more RPAC posts on the DMF here.

Judy Russell, The Legal Genealogist, also ways in on this topic in her recent post, Documenting Death; open the records.

In essence, current thinking suggests that the premise for all the recently restrictive legislature, mostly based on anecdotal stories versus hard data, has resulted in the collection and analysis of data which does not seem to support that the stringent access measures in place are necessarily needed.

We will follow with interest future developments with regards to access to death records and appreciate, as always, RPAC keeping us apprised of current legislation and related, and its efforts on behalf of the genealogical community to preserve records and ensure appropriate access.

Do you agree? Either way, why or why not should death records be closed?

Editor’s Note: Read past posts on Upfront with NGS regarding the SSDI, DMF and related here.

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NGS does not imply endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog. Any opinions expressed by guest authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of NGS.

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Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

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Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com

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Unless indicated otherwise or clearly an NGS Public Relations piece, Upfront with NGS posts are written by Diane L Richard, editor, Upfront with NGS.

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02 September 2016

RPAC shares -- Striking a Balance Between Records Access and Privacy

RPAC shares -- Striking a Balance Between Records Access and Privacy

Records Preservation and Access is so critical to genealogists, family historians, and others.

Our friends at RPAC have shared …

The Federation of Genealogical Societies is celebrating its 40th Anniversary as a featured theme at its Annual Conference this week in Springfield, Illinois. On this occasion, the Records Preservation and Access Committee is presenting a workshop session entitled “Striking a Balance Between Records Access and Privacy” Thursday Afternoon the 1st of September at 3:30pm CDT in Room B1 of the Springfield Conference Center.

As genealogists we want access to all our ancestors’ records but as individuals we want information about ourselves to remain private. Should the records of the living all be protected and the records of the deceased all be available? At this session we will discuss many examples of records which are closed to access and other open records which may be closed in the future.

The syllabus for this session is found at: RPAC at FGS Springfield 2016

Obviously, the session occurred yesterday and RPAC is making the PPT slides available here. From the RPAC publications page, you can also access previously given talks and other information.

Upfront with NGS has recently blogged on related topics -- The Right to Privacy – Personal Correspondence and The Right To Privacy – Care & Selectivity in What You Publish About Others.

The “balance” between access and privacy is constantly being debated and legislated. Make sure you understand the issues and tradeoffs involved. It is a complex topic.

Thanks to RPAC (NGS is a join committee member along with FGS and IAJGS) for keeping the topics of records preservation and records access at the forefront for us. We ALL benefit from responsible records access.

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NGS does not imply endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog. Any opinions expressed by guest authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of NGS.

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Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

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Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com

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Unless indicated otherwise or clearly an NGS Public Relations piece, Upfront with NGS posts are written by Diane L Richard, editor, Upfront with NGS.

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05 July 2016

Genealogists Support Access to State and Local Records

RPAC Issues Statement -- Genealogists Support Access to State and Local Records

Austin, Texas, 5 July 2016—With access to many state and local government records threatened by decreasing budgets, the Records Preservation and Access Committee (RPAC) announced today its support of the Joint Statement by the Council of State Archivists, the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators, and the Society of American Archivists, which affirms that the “preservation of and public access to government records is of paramount importance” and “government archives play a critical role in ensuring citizens’ rights and preserving the nation’s history.”

RPAC and its many participating organizations represent several thousand local, state, and regional genealogical societies, including more than 400,000 members researching family history, and more than 2,000 professional and forensic genealogists. They are among the “more than 80 million professional and amateur genealogists around the world,” according to a 2013 report in the Voice of America on a market research study conducted by Global Industry Analysts.

Professional and forensic genealogists as well as family historians routinely seek access to archival collections in state, county and municipal archives, museums and/or libraries. Forensic and professional genealogists utilize these records for research, which includes tracking relatives with possible inheritable diseases; working with coroners to identify unclaimed persons; finding next of kin of unclaimed persons for repatriation of military remains; heir research; proving Native American tribal membership; adoption cases; land disputes; and oil and gas leases. Family historians study the records to trace and learn about their ancestors. Genealogical societies also hosts member trips to state and municipal archives. Yet, decreasing budgets are limiting—and, in some instances, precluding—access to these records.

In accordance with RPAC’s 2014 declaration, “Genealogists’ Declaration of Rights,” which has been signed by more than 10,700 genealogists in support of access to public records, the Committee applauds the archivists’ Joint Statement and commitment to their shared goals.

RPAC is sponsored by the Federation of Genealogical Societies, the National Genealogical Society, and the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, and is supported by the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Board for Certification of Genealogists, the American Society of Genealogists, and the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists.

When you #StartWithaSmile on #PrimeDay (12 July 2016), Amazon donates to National Genealogical Society. Shop for great deals at http://smile.amazon.com/gp/charity/homepage.html?orig=%2Fgp%2Fbrowse.html%3Fnode%3D11448061011&ein=52-0745713

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NGS does not imply endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog. Any opinions expressed by guest authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of NGS.

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Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

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Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com

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Unless indicated otherwise or clearly an NGS Public Relations piece, Upfront with NGS posts are written by Diane L Richard, editor, Upfront with NGS.

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Want to learn more about interacting with the blog, please read Hyperlinks, Subscribing and Comments -- How to Interact with Upfront with NGS Blog posts!

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08 February 2016

Records Preservation and Access Committee (RPAC) has a Blog!

The Records Preservation and Access Committee (RPAC) has a brand new blog! The Records Advocate will communicate about records access issues.

Here is the introductory post ...

Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Records Advocate Blog!

Help RPAC be proactive on records access issues, sign-up for the Records Advocate by clicking-on the “subscribe to blog” blue box on your right. [Editor’s note – when you visit the website, the subscribe option is always shown on the right] The Records Advocate will keep you advised of state, federal, and international access issues throughout the year which may impact your family history research.

Proactive Genealogists Have Made a Difference! If Your State Legislature is in Session, Stay Alert!

Over the last few years, genealogists have achieved more favorable outcomes when they heard about pending legislation and had time to respond. Many state legislatures are in session during the first few months of the year. Stay alert to possible restrictive legislation in your state.

Make Sure the 2011 Model State Vital Statistics Act is Not Passed in Your State!

The 2011 Model State Vital Statistics Act if passed in your state will increase the embargo period for access to Vital Records, as well as indexes, to 125 years for birth records, 75 years for death records, and 100 years for marriage and divorce records. RPAC is particularly concerned in states which passed the last vital statistics model act in 1992. If you learn of any legislation which will affect access to public records, contact RPAC ataccess@fgs.org. You can read the proposed 2011 Model Act at http://www.fgs.org/rpac/publications/.

Sign-up for the Records Advocate to Stay Informed!

The blog editor has shared that “The post about the Model Vital Statistics Act reminds everyone that most state legislatures are in session and to stay in tune to any legislation in their state. While we are watching the national election for president at the end of the year, your state legislature might pass laws restricting records access in the meantime.”

NGS is proud to be hosting this blog and a sponsor of RPAC.

I have signed up for the Records Advocate, have you?

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NGS does not imply endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog. Any opinions expressed by guest authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of NGS.

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Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

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Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com

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Unless indicated otherwise or clearly an NGS Public Relations piece, Upfront with NGS posts are written by Diane L Richard, editor, Upfront with NGS.

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Want to learn more about interacting with the blog, please read Hyperlinks, Subscribing and Comments -- How to Interact with Upfront with NGS Blog posts!

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20 August 2015

August is the Right Time to Tell Your Senators About Your Record Access Concerns

This post comes to us courtesy of the Records and Preservation Access Committee (RPAC)

If you have ever used the Social Security Death Index (SSDI), now is the time for you to write your United States Senator. Section 203 of the 2013 Bipartisan Budget Act, which went into effect 29 March 2014, closed access to the Death Master File (used by genealogists as the Social Security Death Index) for three years after an individual's death. Access during the three-year embargo is limited to persons certified by the Commerce Department. Certification costs $400; the annual cost to access the data is $995; the available data is limited; the search engine inadequate; and recent audit and security requirements will make access unaffordable by even professional genealogists. The Final Rule for the certification process is expected from the Commerce Department any day. Genealogists need to be further concerned because the Social Security Administration (SSA) has been reporting less information since November 2011 when several states notified the SSA that its information could no longer be released to the public. This widely used national death database is being whittled away because of concerns about tax fraud of the deceased.

The Records Preservation and Access Committee (RPAC) and several of our participating organizations have written the Commerce Department and key legislators on this issue over the last several years. Although genealogists are also concerned about identity theft of the deceased, we strongly believe the problem can be solved by omitting the Social Security Number (SSN) of the deceased from the Social Security Death Index. In addition progress has been made by the IRS in developing filters which flag fraudulent income tax returns. The Treasury Inspector General Tax Administration (TIGTA) Reports for 2011 and 2012 said less than 2% of all fraudulent tax refunds involved the deceased.

At the end of July the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved SB 1073, Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act. The bill was approved in a "business meeting" without a hearing. RPAC is making contacts with several Senators who could introduce the Amendment from the floor. Our request is simple, amend Section 203 of the 2013 Bipartisan Budget Act so the information in the Death Master File can be released to the public except for the Social Security Number.

Congress is currently recessed until 7 September 2015. Now is a good time to contact your Senators, either in person or by writing a letter. We have included talking points that you can use to make a personal visit or write a letter. We need your support. For additional background visit the RPAC Blog at http://www.fgs.org/rpac and see the posts on 1 April 2015, "DMF—Comment Period on Proposed Final Rule Closed 30 March," and under the Publications tab, "SSDI Timeline, 19 January 2015."

The Records Preservation and Access Committee (RPAC), is a national committee sponsored by the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS), and the National Genealogical Society (NGS) and supported by the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG), the American Society of Genealogists (ASG), and the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen). Members of RPAC meet monthly to advise the genealogical community on ensuring proper access to vital records and on supporting strong records preservation policies and practices.

With all of the decisions put in front of Senators, do not assume that they understand the intricacies of all proposed legislation, such as SB 1073, Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act. If we all make our voices heard, hopefully the final legislation will be a win-win by ensuring access to information that is both helpful to genealogists while maintaining the privacy of information (in this case social security numbers) to support Homeland Security.

Editor's Note: Details on the bill can be found here.

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NGS does not imply endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog. Any opinions expressed by guest authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of NGS.

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Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

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Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com

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Unless indicated otherwise or clearly an NGS Public Relations piece, Upfront with NGS posts are written by Diane L Richard, editor, Upfront with NGS.

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27 July 2015

URGENT! -- Arizona State Genealogy Library in jeopardy

Access to one of Arizona’s largest genealogical collections is being threatened in a move from the Arizona State Library in the Arizona State Capital to the Arizona State Archives, 1901 W. Madison, both in Phoenix, Arizona. In the email sent to the Family History Society of Arizona President, Ro Hein, from Laura Stone, Digital Content Director from the State Library, the following was mentioned:

“The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records is preparing to announce that the Polly Rosenbaum Archives and History Building will house the genealogy research center. Researchers will now have access to a rich portfolio of resources, including unique Arizona materials, online genealogical sources and expert staff for support. The former location of state genealogy resources at the State Library of Arizona, located in the Historic Capitol Building, will close to the public on July 31.”

There is a grave concern that the books, vertical file materials, periodicals, microfilm/microfiche materials and other physical items will NOT be moved to the Archives building, and that there will only be access to digital databases such as Ancestry.com and HeritageQuest Online. We do not know the reasoning behind this “immediate” move to the State Archives but we need to be vigilant and pro-active to stop this from occurring. What will happen to the 20,000+ genealogy books and materials presently housed in the Genealogical collection? We know that the State Archives does not have room to house all these materials.

We in the concerned genealogical community are very concerned about the future of the Arizona State Genealogy collections. We are asking all genealogists to take time out of their busy schedules to send an email to the Secretary of State Michele Reagan <www.azsos.gov/contact>, to the Arizona State Librarian Joan Clark <www.azlibrary.gov/about>, to Digital Content Director Laura Stone <lstone@azlibrary.gov, to the Arizona Governor Doug Ducey <http://azgovernor.gov/governor/form/contact-governor-ducey, your legislative representative and any other interested parties. In your email, share experiences you have had with the genealogical library staff, the connections to ancestors you have made through using the resources, and the outreach that has been offered by the genealogical staff for over thirty years. Share that the genealogical collection is a special collection that needs to be saved and not placed into boxes. Be polite, but firm in your message. And, in the email to Secretary of State Reagan and Governor Ducey, add the phrase, “Genealogists vote”. Genealogists have a vested interest in keeping the State Genealogy collection where it is, and politicians want to be retained in office, so voting matters to them.

Please send your emails and letters to the above-mentioned people quickly. The move is supposed to take place this Friday, the 31^st! We need to stop them.

Thank you for your support of the Arizona State Genealogy Library.

Linda Caldwell McCleary, M.L.S.

Arizona Genealogical Advisory Board (AzGAB) Past President

National Genealogical Society (NGS) Life Member

Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) Past Board Member

FGS/NGS Records Preservation and Access Committee Member

Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) Former Director

Brigham Young University Professional Genealogy Certificate

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NGS does not imply endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog. Any opinions expressed by guest authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of NGS.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

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Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com

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Unless indicated otherwise or clearly an NGS Public Relations piece, Upfront with NGS posts are written by Diane L Richard, editor, Upfront with NGS.

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Want to learn more about interacting with the blog, please read Hyperlinks, Subscribing and Comments -- How to Interact with Upfront with NGS Blog posts!

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18 June 2015

Virginia Vital Records NOW Online -- Partnership between VDH & Ancestry

Screen Capture for Ancestry.com Virginia Page -- note the NEW symbols next to vital records databases!

Vital records + Access = happy dance for genealogists!

I read a couple of weeks ago about VA vital records becoming available. To be honest, I didn’t pay much attention as I’m usually researching 18^th century VA families, long before vital records existed.

I then received on Monday a blog post feed from the Records Preservation and Access Committee (RPAC) talking about these same records. Again, I blithely acknowledged the information and again went on my happy way.

Well, just yesterday, I saw another post about these records where FGS cross-posted the RPAC blog post link on FB and this time (remember, 3^rd time is the charm), bells went off in my head on two fronts – 1. that Upfront with NGS readers would probably like to know about these records and 2. I had just talked with a client about her parents divorce in ... drum roll please ... Virginia and our hopes that the paperwork would give us where/when they married (not in VA) so we could pursue that paperwork.

In just a couple of minutes I found the divorce paperwork which confirmed the details on the parents and included the place and date of the marriage. A couple of more minutes and I had placed an order with a SC probate court for the marriage record.

With that done, I’m now sharing with you part of the RPAC announcement and the links to how you can access these records via Ancestry.com.

Virginia Vital Records Online

Posted on June 14, 2015 by FredMoss

With thanks to Peter E. Broadbent, Jr.

More than 16 million Virginia vital records have been digitized and indexed as a result of collaboration between Ancestry and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). These records were officially released to the public on June 2, 2015.

For vital records which are now “open”, the image of the original vital record can be viewed online through Ancestry; for records which are still “closed’, an index with key information is available online through VDH. Virginia death, marriage and divorce records are “closed” for 25 years; Virginia births are “closed” for 100 years ...

Read the full post and learn all the details here.

For those with an Ancestry.com subscription or who can access Ancestry.com through a library or similar facility, here are the direct links for each collection!

Virginia, Birth Records, 1864-2014
http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9277

Virginia, Marriage Records, 1936-2014
http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9279

Virginia, Death Records, 1912-2014
http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9278

Virginia, Divorce Records, 1918-2014

http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9280

The availability of vital records is always a benefit to our research. And, when such access is limited or scheduled to be further curtailed, our community must champion records access. The Virginia Genealogical Society (VGS) was instrumental in making this all happen! Thanks and hats off to VGS!

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NGS does not imply endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog. Any opinions expressed by guest authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of NGS.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Unless indicated otherwise or clearly an NGS Public Relations piece, Upfront with NGS posts are written by Diane L Richard, editor, Upfront with NGS.

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Want to learn more about interacting with the blog, please read Hyperlinks, Subscribing and Comments -- How to Interact with Upfront with NGS Blog posts!

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