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Archiver > ARCHIVES > 2004-12 > 1103175347


From: W David Samuelsen <>
Subject: Re: [ARCHIVES] Information Concerning Living Persons
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 22:36:31 -0700
References: <4.3.2.7.2.20041215165308.03d7e470@mail.desloges.us>


There are some areas of concerns and problems - specifically birth records,
marriage records and obituaries.

1. Birth Records are already released to the public up to and including 1929
(at least Oregon - 1929, Arizona - 1928 and progressing by the year, Washington
1948, Utah 1953) so far. Indian Agency birth records are available to at least
1950. so 70 years is unenforceable because there's the matter of 1930 census, too.

2. Obituaries, I have been in negotiations with several newspapers who have
theirs online already. They have just about ZERO tolerance for any stripped down
obituaries after 1995 when the newspapers started going online.
They don't care at all if full obituaries published 1995 and before are
text-formatted for Archives, just that their bit of info is included
(name of newspaper, name of their url link) are listed first above the
obits.

3. Marriage records, 50 years is impossible because so much already released.
Utah, at least 1966; and the newspapers? they have them online already all the
way to at least 1984.

So where is the line that is variable in each state when it comes to birth and
marriage records?

David Samuelsen

Javan Michael DeLoach wrote:
> Increasingly, there is concern about genealogical data that is accessible
> through the Internet which contains information about living persons.
> Identity theft, invasion of privacy and personal embarrassment are
> potential problems that we must consider before archiving documents
> containing such information.
>
> As a leader in providing genealogical information to the public, it is
> incumbent upon the USGenWeb Archives to establish guidance for the use of
> this information. Accordingly, the following proposed policy has been
> developed by the Archives Committee. Request state File Managers review
> this policy and discuss it with county File Managers.
>
> Please let us have your comments and suggestions no later than 31 Dec 2004.
> A lack of response will be considered approval of the policy as written.
>
> Mike
>
> ====================================================
>
> Guidelines for Information Concerning Living Persons
>
> * All effort will be taken to avoid posting information concerning
> living persons. Such information will be posted as an exception rather
> than as the norm.
>
> * The following guidance applies to Vital Records:
> + Records of births during the last 70 years should not be posted.
> + Records of marriages during the last 50 years should not be
> posted.
> + Records of deaths for any year may be posted.
> + Records of divorces during the last 50 years should not be
> posted.
>
> * Obituaries naming surviving family members may be posted if personal
> information concerning those family members is excluded. An example of
> personal information would be the street address of a surviving family
> member.
>
> * The Social Security Account Number, street address, telephone
> number, or any other identifying number assigned to a living person, will
> never be posted.
>
> * The military record (personal or medical) of any living person will
> not be posted without their approval. Rosters of military units and unit
> citations need not be checked or edited for living persons.
>
> * Cemetery or tombstone records which name a living spouse or family
> member need not be altered before posting.
>
> * Contributions containing information about living persons may be
> posted with their consent.
>
> * A record which has been posted containing information about a living
> person will be removed immediately upon the request of the person named in
> the record.
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Records which are currently posted in the USGenWeb Archives which contain
> information about living persons should be reviewed by State File Managers
> to determine if they violate the privacy of living persons. Such records
> may be removed at the discretion of the State File Manager. If a
> complaint is received about such records, they MUST be removed immediately.
>
> ==================== End ========================
>
>
>
>
>
>


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