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Archiver > GenConnecticut > 2000-10 > 0970517900


From:
Subject: Re: [GenConnecticut-L] NEWSPAPERS
Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 16:18:20 EDT


In a message dated 10/1/2000 8:40:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
writes:

<< This has mostly already been done with the major newspapers in New
Brunswick from the 1830s onward if not earlier.

It's about time the US caught up with the Canadians.

Once they're scanned they'll be available for the ages -- as long as
the scans are converted to keep up with changing computer technology.
>>

Warren, I was very glad to see you raise this topic because it is one which
deserves the attention of the genealogical community. As you no doubt know,
a number of states have put substantial amounts of the material in their
archives online for searching, but there are others who are not even started.
Virginia and Michigan are two states which come mind re: material online.

Funding is a huge hurdle, and most of the states' archives are completely
funded through the state legislatures, and as you may imagine, multiple needs
compete for state dollars. Many states have assessed the problem and found
that they are not convinced that rapidly changing technology is the safest
place to which to commit tax dollars; think eight track tapes, vinyl
recordings, built in cell phones in luxury cars, 5 1/4 floppies and 64k hard
drives if you need a clue to their thinking.

There are a number of people in genealogy and computing who know far more
about this subject than I, but I know what difficulties we in NC have faced
in trying to get support for digitization of the NC State Archives despite
careful planning and enthustiastic support here.

While I don't have any way of knowing how Canada was able to get their
newspapers online for searching, I suspect that it was through the work of
individuals like Daniel F. Johnson, B.B.A. who at least ten years ago was
involved in exerpting VRs from newspapers and providing surname searches. He
may have had nothing to do with the project you mention, but I know it does
take interested persistent people to focus on a problem of such huge and
varied dimensions, as well as excellent communications among all parties in
order to make any headway. I suspect that in the case of newspapers, there
is a whole group of pieces which must fit together in order to have them
available online. It is less expensive to archive electronically though, and
to publish electronically as well, so there are already some means to the end
which exist in publishing.

I'm sure other listers who are more knowledgable can add far more to the
topic, but I agree that it is a very important one, and I for one would love
to see much more material online. Just think how it would cut down on the
wear and tear of our original documents, and how much gasoline it would save
those who must drive great distances to repositories. The big picture
supports the endeavor, the small snapshot is the one that the public sees
most clearly though.

Carol Hubbell Boggs

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