INKOSCIU-L Archives

From: "Marjorie Priser" <>
Subject: [INKOSCIU-L] old records
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 12:54:57 -0500

In Indiana: one thing that you might want to know
regarding old county records:
There is a Public Records Commission, an agent of the State
government, who, since it was originated, has made policy
regarding the records kept by county officials - i.e. how long
they are kept, what is kept and where it is kept. County
officials apply once a year to destroy records. There is a group
of officials at the county level who meet once a year to read and
look at the official applications to destroy. That group either
approves or denies the destruction. The applications are then
sent to the state and the state approves or denies depending on
the law. A representative of the local historical society is on
the county committee and the society is first in line to get
possession of the records should they be approved to be
destroyed. The historical society then must decided whether or
not the materials are worthy of retaining. The society has
developed a list of records that have historical value and must
be preserved.
Materials that the local historical society does not
want... are then supposed to be destroyed. In Kosciusko County
the records that are destroyed are now shredded and recycled.
The records used to go to a big hole in the ground... on county
property and bounded by a big high fence! In most cases, records
that were not accepted by the historical society were financial
in nature and of not particular value as historic. Also...the
same data can be found in record books in other places.
Please keep in mind also that once the record books are
out of the county offices they are no longer considered
"official" ... in other words, data could be changed and
therefore they are not considered strictly "official".
Several years ago, the Kos. Co. Hist. Soc. had a series
of books called Tax Duplicates microfilmed. The books were
destroyed and at least two copies of the microfilm was made.
That microfilm is available at the Jail museum. The same will be
true... in time.... with a series of books that is at the Jail
now... called Tax Assessment books. There are literally hundreds
of these volumes.... and they are in pretty bad shape... the
paper is very acidic... and is virtually going to dust before our
eyes... It is likely that the books will be destroyed after
the microfilming is completed and quality verified. In order
for the microfilming to be completed in a timely manner, the
bindings will have to be cut off... thus leaving - loose
papers...
I have personally bemoaned the fact that records in some
cases have to be destroyed... but since the county government
strives to be efficient, and does not provide a high and dry
place for the records to be maintained past a certain time limit,
there will always be some records that must be destroyed. All
one has to do is go into the basement record storage area in our
local justice building .... and you will quickly realize that
they are keeping as much as they possibly can... and only asking
to destroy what is realistically not of value any more! That
storage room is very well organized, but full to capacity! We
have been most fortunate in this county... our officials seem to
recognize that records are important for various reasons, one of
which is genealogical research. They have been most willing to
give the historical society first chance at everything, and seem
to respect our guidelines as well.
The old records that I would like to see everyone keep
their eyes open for, are records of old businesses that provide
some historic perspective on the olden times.
Historical Societies are more reluctant to accept these
records... and they are equally as valuable from a historic
standpoint. ... for example, old ledgers of day to day
activities in "Mom & Pop" businesses... the candy stores, the
general stores, the barber shops, the newsstands.... they are
ALL very relevant ... and can provide a lot of valuable historic
information.
In addition.... be sure to watch for old diaries....
lots of good info... even though you may not know the family...
with the internet now... perhaps you could even get the document
back into the hands of a grateful family member... Old
scrapbooks ... give a perspective on the time... and often reveal
what was "newsworthy" at the time... Let people know that these
things are no longer considered "worthless"... and that they can
be treasured... by other than family... for various reasons. Old
documents...letters, ... these things are OFTEN destroyed by
well-meaning family members .... and ... in many cases could be
historically valuable... or.... at least desired by an interested
person in the community.... In many cases... it's a case of
"educating" the people... letting them know that what they may
think is worthless... holds great value to people who are
researching the past...
Respectfully submitted marge priser

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• [INKOSCIU-L] old records by "Marjorie Priser" <>