KYGRANT-L Archives

From: "jwfrench" <>
Subject: HR-10 - Will restrict our access to county and state birth records
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 08:41:17 -0800

> Hello, fellow researchers,
>
> I've recently learned of a bill moving swiftly through the U. S.
> House of Representatives that would severely restrict our access to birth
> records, even those kept by counties and states, in the name of
> "security." We genealogists (and any other citizens) would have access
> only if we are the "registrant" (it's our own record), or are named in the
> document. If we don't meet those criteria, we would have to meet "minimum
> standards for issuance of a birth certificate to specific family members,
> their authorized representatives, and others who demonstrate that the
> certificate is needed for the protection of the requestor's personal or
> property rights."
>
> You might be interested in reading the actual language of this
> bill. It can be found at http://thomas.loc.gov./ Put in the number of the
> bill (HR10) on the home page, where it says "Bill Number." Once on the
> page where the bill starts, find the part about birth records using "Find
> on this page."
>
> It is my understanding that David Rencher, Chairman of the Record
> Access and Preservation Committee, a joint committee of the National
> Genealogical Society and Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), has
> sent a letter to the bill's sponsor, Congressman Dennis Hastert,
> recommending an amendment to the bill as follows:
>
> "However, nothing in this Chapter 2 shall be construed to require a State
> to change its law with respect to public access to (A) non-certified
> copies of birth certificates, or to (B) birth certificates or birth
> records once a period of 100 years has elapsed from the date of creation
> of the certificate or record."
>
> A copy of the entire letter is available on the FGS site at
> www.fgs.org/rpa/formalactions.htm.
>
> Because this bill is moving toward passage so quickly, it is urged
> that the genealogical community take action immediately and let their
> representatives know that they are in support of David Rencher's proposed
> amendment and the FGS position in this important matter. To find your
> state representative's contact information, go to:
>
> www.house.gov/writerep/
>
>
>
>
>
> ==============================
> Search our Immigration Records and view names from multiple ports
> ranging from 1500s - 1900s. Over 23 million records to view. Learn more:
http://www.ancestry.com/s13967/rd.ashx
>
>
>

This thread:

• HR-10 - Will restrict our access to county and state birth records by "jwfrench" <>