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Archiver > TURNER > 2004-03 > 1078878415


From: "S. Charmaine Klemczewski" <>
Subject: [TURNER] Fw: [POLAND] Connecticut bill to end access to many genealogical records
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2004 19:26:55 -0500


I received this from another of my lists and thought it important to send
along to you.

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "wfhoffman" <>
To:
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2004 11:00:33 -0600
Subject: [POLAND] Connecticut bill to end access to many genealogical
records
Message-ID: <006201c405f8$0aaa55a0$>
References: <>

Greetings!

I received a note from the officers of the Polish Genealogical Society of
Connecticut and the Northeast yesterday, and the contents were alarming.
I
almost never pass on alarmist e-mails about pending legislation because
they've usually turned out to be hoaxes. But I dug around a little and
this
one appears to be true. Besides, the officers of PGSCTNE usually know
what
they're talking about (assuming the e-mail did come from them and isn't a
spoof).

If this is legit, it's a matter of great importance for genealogists with
roots in Connecticut. And as the note says, if they do this in
Connecticut
today, it may be your turn tomorrow. So this may legitimately concern all
Americans interested in genealogical research.

I wanted to pass it along so that you can take whatever steps you find
proper. So I've pasted in the full contents of the note below. Take a
moment
and read it, please.

Fred Hoffman

==========

Dear Members,

The State of Connecticut has introduced House Bill 5628 (HB5628) which
among
other things is attempting to shut down public access to birth, marriage
and
death certificates for genealogical research. If this bill passes this
will
essentially mark the END of public access to these types of records in
this
state.

The hearing for this bill is to take place this Thursday March 11. It is
of
vital importance that you contact members of the Public Health Committee
to
voice your disapproval of this bill and to solicit their support to
defeat
the sections of it relating to genealogy.

DO THIS NOW!!! Don't put it off until tomorrow or later. If you don't act
you may soon find that you won't be doing any more genealogy in this
state.
If you are a CT resident go to the General Assembly's website,
www.cga.state.ct.us, find your state senator and state representative and
send them an additional email voicing your disapproval of this bill. The
list of the members of the Public Health Committee is on the web site as
well. Click on committees, then Public Health. There are links to their
emails there as well. Even if you live out of state, send these emails
to
any and all of the emails listed below. You won't be able to write for
records in CT anymore if they're closed off to you. Even if you have no
research to do in this state send the email anyway as well as a sign of
support to other members of this society who do. Someday your state may
try
to close down access to records and we will be there to support you.

If you don't know what to say in the email simply write "I have been made
aware of HB 5628 regarding access to vital statistics and wish to voice
my
disapproval to the portions of the bill restricting access to vital
records
by genealogists and request your support in eliminating it."

The legislative process is a long one so we may have to call on you again
to
barrage these people with emails.

ROBCIE TO DZISIAJ. NIE ZWLEKAJCIE !

Thank your for your time and support of this essential issue.
PGSCTNE Officers



























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