MSTISHOM-L Archives
Archiver > MSTISHOM > 2003-06 > 1054505949
From:
Subject: Re: [MSTISHOM-L] Tishomingo records at the old courthouse,PROBLEM?
Date: Sun, 01 Jun 2003 17:19:16 -0500 (CDT)
References: <1ce.aea9500.2c0bc494@aol.com> <002301c32493$3a808700$dbbe4ace@com>
In-Reply-To: <002301c32493$3a808700$dbbe4ace@com>
Will and Dale,
I'm afraid you have been sadly missinformed concerning old Tishomingo records.
TCHGS (Tishomingo County Historical & Genealogical Society) made an agreement
with the Iuka Public Library some years ago to offer a service to the genealogy
department. We agreed to bring provide volunteers to assist researchers who
visited the library. So, we moved our (TCHGS) research department there
(everything that could be maintained in two filing cabinets or stored in 1/2 of
a 8x10 closet).
We were able to provide a part time hostess and through the efforts of myself
as library liason who volunteered 20-30 hours per week maintaining the program,
and others including Brenda Whitfield, and C.D. & Sybil Holley, We were able to
assist many local and out-of-town researchers with their research.
However, due to the lack of participation of other volunteers, and due to the
mutliple responsibilities of those willing to assist with the many other
projects of the society (membership, newsletter, treasurery, publications,
research, etc.), we made a decision a few months ago to disolve the
responsibility of the genealogy department there. We decided to return to
record preservation. We felt we needed to work on preserving the history of our
county.
The files that we brought with us have been duplicated and new files created.
Yes, they are locked at the library but are available upon request. We have
worked very closely with Ms. Fredda Sanderson, the librarian on making sure
that the library has duplicates of records we brought with us when we moved
there, so that we can continue to share these records.
Secondly, we have left all the hardback books that TCHGS donated and/or
purchased. These books can freely be accessed from the library shelves.
Yes, we have returned our original files to the old courthouse and they are
under lock and key just as they were at the Iuka Library. As far as old deeds,
marriages, and land records are concerned, TCHGS never placed these items at
the library and thus, never removed them. We were however able to obtain a copy
from our new courthouse of the marriage records and are in the process of
transcribing all of these to share with the public-the nation - the world.
While at the library we did allow researchers to look through these upon
request. This record is no longer available due to it being transcribed.
We were able to retrieve a pickup bed full of old courthouse records that were
being thrown away at the new courthouse some four or so years ago. This, after
at least one dump truck had already been taken off and buried and was
unrecoverable. These records, are under lock and key at the old courthouse and
TCHGS volunteers are working diligently to transcribe these records and make
them available to the public. The staff at the new courthouse threw them away,
there is no space or staff available at the library to house them - so TCHGS
has assumed responsibility for them.
Why are these records at the old courthouse and why are they under lock and
key? TCHGS has made many attempts to the board of supervisors to promote and
provide financial assistance for a county archives to preserve just such
records but to have been turned down each time we met with the board. We have
been given this space by the Tishomingo county Development Foundation free of
charge because we have no where else to salvage these records.
Are these the only records there in the room of the courthouse? No, TCHGS also
stores all of our printed books, treasurery records, incorporation papers,
correspondence files, and all other property of TCHGS.
The room is located atop two flights of stairs and is unheated or cooled (not
an ideal place for our books), dust covers the entire room (not good for one
with allergies). This room is unsuitable for a volunteer to stay in IF we had
one. What is the answer? Solicit the support of our local board of supervisors
to provide financial assistance for appropriate housing for old courthouse
records and support TCHGS.
This is a rather lengthly explanation. I do hope though that I have impressed
on all concerned individuals the need for your cooperation in maintaining the
history of old Tishomingo County.
Anyone visiting our county who would like to visit this room is free to do so,
please contact TCHGS and we will gladly assist you. Also, if you are interested
in reading the history that we are uncovering, please consider a subscription
to our newsletter (see our site listed below).
I hope this clears up any misunderstanding. Would be happy to provide
additional information upon request. I encourage you to support us!
Thanks,
Cindy Nelson
Founding President TCHGS
Quoting Will Smith <>:
> If this is true, perhaps we should file suit in Federal court under
> the
> Freedom of Information Act... They have NO right whatsoever to deny us
> access of those records.
>
> Will
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <>
> To: <>
> Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2003 2:05 PM
> Subject: [MSTISHOM-L] Tishomingo records at the old
> courthouse,PROBLEM?
>
>
> > I have been told that all genealogy records on file at the library in
> Iuka
> > have been moved to the Old Courthouse and put under lock and key and
> nobody can
> > see them? Why??? Does this include the old marriages,deeds,etc. from
> the
> > courthouse?
> >
> > Why was this done? I planned to go to Iuka to do more research and
> > furthermore, I left some charts at the library two years ago. This was
> on
> my husband's
> > Johnson and Whtiehurst ancestors. I did this so other researchers
> would
> not
> > have the difficult time I did on the family tree. Anybody have an
> answer?
> This
> > is going to make it impossible for research.
> >
> > dale johnson
> > huntsville,al.
> >
> >
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Take JESUS with you everywhere you go - worship Him with every breathe!
EMAIL:
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TCHGS SHARING: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tchgs
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