CAMODOC-L Archives

From: "TIM I PURDY" <>
Subject: County Records
Date: Sat, 6 Mar 1999 00:06:37 -0800

Some counties go to great lengths to preserve their records, while others
figure out ways to get rid of them. I have experienced over the years,
that some counties use the line the Courthouse burned down and we do not
have any old records, so they would not have to be bothered.

Unfortunately, Lassen County has been a nightmare over the years. The
County Clerk during the 1970s would do major house cleaning. There were a
lot of interesting material, that was discarded before 1975 when I first
began my research there. The County Clerk and I would have some
interesting discussions to say the least. In 1907 California passed a law
requiring County Clerks to keep copies of all newspapers of general
circulation, i.e. those that published legal notices, etc. This law was
finally repealed in the 1960s. Lassen County had all these bound volumes,
many which were the only surviving copies. The Co. Clerk decided one day
to toss them. I was out of town that particular day, after all this
planned, when the Clerk had them hauled to the dump. I was furious to say
the least. There were would be more episodes, but with better endings.
The historical society was not interested a number of records, so I ended
up with them. Such as the original Board of Superivor proceedings dating
from 1864 through the early1930s, the actual original voter registrations,
coroners inquests from the 1860s to 1930s, Military Rolls from the 1860s,
etc

The list is endless of the Lassen County Records that I have saved from
going to the dump. Then there was the situation with the County Library
and what they were going to toss, but they called me first to see if I
wanted anything. Well I have bound volumes of Lassen Advocate, Lassen
Mail, and Big Valley Gazette newspapers. They had been microfilmed, so
they did not want them anymore. One item that had not been microfilmed was
a WPA project that was newspaper indexes to the Lassen Advocate for 1868 to
1871 and from 1916 through 1927. The library was even tossing old
photographs they had in special collections!

I could rattle on and on about this. I even received a call from Butte
County asking if I would store their original deed books!

As to all these records future, I am working on it. State Archives wants
the collections, and so does Chico State. Currently, my Will bequest all
these records, including private collections from businesses, etc. that I
have to State Archives, in case anything happens to me. Whether that will
transpire or not, remains to be seen as other Institutions also would like
to be the beneficiary, and this a very strong possiblity that they will go
to Nevada.

Enough of my soap box!

Tim

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• County Records by "TIM I PURDY" <>