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Archiver > OHGALLIA > 2003-09 > 1064179420


From:
Subject: Re: [OHGALLIA-L] FYI - Confiscated Microfilm from Library
Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2003 17:23:40 EDT


In a message dated 09/21/2003 3:53:17 PM Central Daylight Time,
writes:

>
> In Huron County, a battle for the record books
>
> By HEATHER CHAPIN , Norwalk Bureau Chief 09/12/2003
>
> NORWALK -- The Huron County Genealogical Society may pursue legal action
> against the Huron County General Health District for confiscaating about 20
> rolls of microfilm containing vital statistics from the Norwalk Public
> Library, according to local historian Henry Timman.
>
> The microfilm taken from the library was bought by the genealogy society
> for genealogical research, according to Timman.
>
> Timman spoke at the board of health's meeting yesterday as a member of
> the Genealogical Society, along with Mary Carabin, another member who was
> appointed to a committee to track down the missing microfilm for the local
> chapter.
>
> ''You're retaining our property without our consent. We'd like to have
> our records back, that's what we'd like,'' Timman told the board.
>
> Tim Hollinger, a board member, argued with Timman about the availability
> of the records because they could fall into the hands of ''terrorists, number
> one, or criminals and (he) wouldn't want (his) birth certificate given
> out.''
>
> Timman crisply told Hollinger that ''Ohio law supercedes personal
> opinion'' and that the genealogy group will consider going to the police or court to
> get back the records....
>

It is troublesome the way this group of public officials has interpreted the
law.

I wonder if the Norwalk Public Library was "asked" to turn over the records,
legally or if the Public Health employees just "took" the film?

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