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From: "Barbara Mathews" <>
Subject: Re: [APG] Connecticut State Vital Records Access by StateApprovedGenealogical Societies
Date: Mon, 25 May 2009 11:18:51 -0400


The law in Connecticut regarding vital records access is not as absurd as
one might think. It might seem odd that the society whose card you carry has
to be organized to do business in Connecticut, but this really is the power
and strength of that law.

You have to have that card to get a certified copy of a birth record less
than 100 years old. The cards have unique numbers and require signatures
under a paragraph about disclosure. Town clerks require sign-ins and card
numbers or photocopies.

What if you misuse this privilege? Here is where the strength of this
seemingly ridiculous clause comes in. You get your card rescinded. The
Attorney General of the state can make that requirement of the society
because it is organized in Connecticut. Without your card, you can't get
that certified copy. You mis-use, you lose.

The bureaucracy feels relieved that they can rescind records access should
that be needed. The genealogists are happy because they get to use the
records for their work. The town clerks are happy because they know who is
getting to the modern records and they have ID to follow-back should
something go wrong. In a system where genealogists stand to lose access to
records, this might actually be a good compromise. Think about it.

Yours, Barbara Mathews
www.gis.net/~bmathews


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