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From:
Subject: Re: [APG] Does anyone know
Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2002 23:29:10 EST

As an archivist working with corporate records, I'm going to jump in on this
one and make some general comments based on particular experience.

Generally speaking, the company records are private and it is entirely at
their discretion whether the public has access. However, the LEASE was a
public record. Has she looked in the county records for this? It may have
the recitation of the chain of title.

When she says "oil company" what does she mean? Is this the corporate body
she transacted this business with or was this a local entity? (ie - -was
this a lease for land for a filling station or oil and gas rights on
property, etc?)

Is that company still in business? Has it been bought, sold, merged,
divested or otherwise changed ownership? It's is very difficult sometimes to
track down records of defunct or changed ownership companies. Generally
speaking, there is no way to know whether records went to the new parent
company, went to collections somewhere or what.

If she can identify the current owner of the company (and if this lease is
continuing in effect, that should be possible), she can certainly write to
the company to ask if they have any records. Some companies do have
archives, some have records management programs and can possibly find these.

You don't say when this transaction took place, when she was 17. Does she
not have a copy of the lease? The "tons of her pesonal family history" is
part of the corporate record. It was up to them whether they kept it. I
sincerely doubt she could have it if she wanted it. It might be about her,
but it is not hers.

As to whether they choose to let her have access to any company reocrds, in
my experience, that varies. Some companies allow researchers for some
purposes. Some have us do some research at company expense. Some will
authorize us to do research put the requestor must pay for the time and
expenses. Some records are simply not available to the public. And many,
many records simply do not exist. So, everyone, do not go rushing off
writing to every company your ancestors ever worked for and aksing for the
personnel files. I have none in my collections!

In reading back over your post, you say she says they would need this info to
"prove the informaiton over and over...for activation of the ... lease" If
so, then she should know who this is and where they are should simply write
and ask. Heck, they may have a file a long as your arm they'll copy and send
her! Never hurts to try!!

Hope this helps a bit.
Jane Douma Pearson

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