MDWASHIN-L Archives

Archiver > MDWASHIN > 2003-07 > 1058844254


From: "Margaret Davis" <>
Subject: Re: [MDWASHIN] Research Center - Washington County, MD
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2003 23:24:14 -0400
References: <1cb.e315fa6.2c4e044c@aol.com>


I agree whole heartedly. But on one item as for me, genealogy is not a hobby. It is my way of life. I am dedicated to finding my ancestors for my family. Again I agree with you about having a place for all our research and I for one would not mind one bit paying a fee for anything I needed.
----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2003 11:06 PM
Subject: [MDWASHIN] Research Center - Washington County, MD


I think this research center would be wonderful - but I have a nagging
question -
Who would be the organization officially in charge of the center?

Would it be a cooperation between government (courthouse and library),
private (historical society), and church (LDS)?

But - most of all - I do want to see such a depository - so the biggest
nagging question -
from where does the funding come?

And, knowing the probable cost - I would think that those of us who really
want to see it happen - should be first in line to lend our financial support -
in both contributions and users fees.

We are pretty spoiled in having such great facilities as the government
archives (state and national), and LDS supported History Centers - then we seem to
grumble about paying a few dollars to use facilities when we don't even want
to become members of the supporting society. Sometimes, when a great
depository is willing to take our collections, complete a catalog, sort, preserve,
file, retrieve - and they would suggest that the donor would offer some financial
support of the facility that will be housing it - sometimes there is grunts.
But, most of the time - the donor realizes the benefits and are willing to
contribute. Too many times the alternative is to die - leave no provision - have
a house full of our lifetime papers - and have the descendants grunt - grunt
all the way to the county landfill. I think that is a good case to consider
donating both collection and funding to the archival facility.

It is regretting that no library or archives on the face of this earth can
say they will accept and preserve for eternity all items and collections offered
to them in their original format. Thus the need to constantly be on the
lookout for expanding or creating more or specific archival storage places.

The cost of maintaining a county historical society library far exceeds the
few dollars user fees paid at the desk. For any active historical society -
the dues don't even come close to paying the maintenance - it comes from the
generosity of the donors and efforts of the staff and volunteers who work their
tails off in fundraising and grant writing.
It there is a donor or group of donors that will be providing such a place
without user fees in Hagerstown -this region's genealogists, historians and
their kin (who would normally be asked to maintain Uncle Al's 30 boxes of books
and miscellaneous papers) - should give special thanks each and every day. Who
pays the light company each and every month?

With that thought in mind - I hope we all are grateful for the opportunity to
pay for the privilege of using this new facility.

If it is 'paid for by the local government' - then my hat is off to them -
for providing such a service on the taxpayer's dollar in Washington Co - so we
in Frederick County and beyond can reap the benefits 'for free.'

If 100 people (in addition to the local government, historical society, etc)
wanted to contribute to this research center - who would decide what could or
should be accepted? (Ah - the human element again) - how long will it be
until this facility is filled? I don't mean to make that sound negative - just
want to probe the question to a few others who indicate that no offer should be
turned down and every piece of paper must be maintained for eternity. There
is where the professional archival guidelines are so vital.

Boy, we certainly are spoiled with such a hobby as genealogy - we have so
many places where we can have the time of our lives researching for free - we are
spoiled. So, lets politically, emotionally, and financially support this
Research Center in Washington County, MD.

My vote of confidence to Mindy Marsden - of the Washington County Historical
Society - an extremely capable and devoted spearhead for this project.

Pepper Scotto, Frederick County, MD



==== MDWASHIN Mailing List ====
If you have a Family Genealogy Website with Washington County connections,
please send the url to FamilyHart at . We will place
a link on the Washington County Website. Thanks!

==============================
To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to:
http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237


This thread: