Hi everyone! I wanted to take a minute to remind you all that you’re on this list and invite you to post your queries, questions, comments, data, etc. It has been said by Rootsweb that mail lists that aren’t active will be deleted. Let’s make sure this isn’t one of those lists!! Please remember the following when posting: Stick close to the topic of the list. Sometimes posts will go a tad off…that’s ok. But please no politics, no chain letters and don’t be rude to others. If you don’t like something that was posted please contact me at pcmom@aol.com <mailto:pcmom@aol.com> and I’ll look in to it. You all have a great day and start posting! :-) Dee List Admin

Hi Everyone I’m the list admin for this and many other lists. If you receive this message multiple times that’s why. Each month I’m going to be sending out a message to my lists to remind everyone that you’re here and to post to the list. -------- I’m inviting everyone to post to this list. You don’t have to answer the discussion question you can post your questions, triumphs, problems, etc.. Please remember, stay on-topic with the list. (I’m not a strict admin, I don’t mind chit chat at all, especially on smaller lists such as this one. Just try to keep it to Alabama Cemetery and Preservation. Please remember, no sales through this list. I hope you all have a wonderful day! Dee Admin Al-cemetery-preservation@rootsweb.com GenLady http://www.genlady.com <http://www.genlady.com/>

Hi everyone! As you may have noticed, Rootsweb mail lists are back on-line! Yay! If you need help navigating the new system: http://home.rootsweb.ancestry.com/listindexes/listsHelp <http://home.rootsweb.ancestry.com/listindexes/listsHelp> I hope everyone will begin utilizing this list and the many others available at Rootsweb. If you have any questions about this list please fee free to send me a message! Have a great day! Dee Admin http://www.genlady.com <http://www.genlady.com/>

This mailing list currently has no administrator. If you would be interested in volunteering to maintain this list, please reply to this or send a new email to rwmailinglists@ancestry.com and mention the name of the list in your email. Thanks! The RootsWeb Team

This list is currently without an owner/administrator. If you are interested in taking this list over, please let me know and I will get you set up. Anne Mitchell

http://wordpress-freelancer.pl/projects/wpt/wp-content/plugins/zeatchyaova/g oodnews.php?pool255.html Michael Trinkley, Ph.D. Director Chicora Foundation, Inc. PO Box 8664 Columbia, SC 29202-8664 803-787-6910 www.chicora.org

Leon, I don't have any info on Flat Rock community, but I was just interested in your email because you are from Bay Minette. We have a very good friend there, Johnny Grey Rotch; have you heard of him? We are from Coffeeville; do you know where that is? (Clarke County) Mary Faircloth, Jax, FL -----Original Message----- From: bamaguy0324 <bamaguy0324@aol.com> To: AL-CEMETERY-PRESERVATION-L <AL-CEMETERY-PRESERVATION-L@rootsweb.com>; AL-CEMETERIES-L <AL-CEMETERIES-L@rootsweb.com>; ALCONECU-L <ALCONECU-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Fri, Apr 15, 2011 10:00 pm Subject: [AL-CEMETERY-PRESERVATION] Flat Rock, Conecuh Co., AL I am looking for any history or background info on the Flat Rock community in onecuh Co. My GG Grandfather Thomas A. Quinley (1846-1918)?was originally from here. lso, what year was the Flat Rock Cemetery established? T. Quinley's ister-n-law was buried there in 1887, so if it was in use before that I know ther Quinley relations are buried there.. ontact me at BamaGuy0324@gmail.com any Thanks, eon Weekley ay Minette, AL ------------------------------ o unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to AL-CEMETERY-PRESERVATION-request@rootsweb.com ith the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of he message

I am looking for any history or background info on the Flat Rock community in Conecuh Co. My GG Grandfather Thomas A. Quinley (1846-1918)?was originally from there. ? Also, what year was the Flat Rock Cemetery established? T. Quinley's sister-n-law was buried there in 1887, so if it was in use before that I know other Quinley relations are buried there.. ? Contact me at BamaGuy0324@gmail.com ? Many Thanks, Leon Weekley Bay Minette, AL

Dear List; I live in CA. but just visited Madison Co., Al. along the northern border with TN. My ancestor according to his obituary is buried in the Stateline cemetery in Hazel Green, AL. There is an old section to the cemetery that is becoming neglected with graves toppling over and getting buried beneath soil. The cemetery is located just off the 231/431 Hwy near the border with TN. In Hazel Green, Madison Co., AL. Any suggestions on how I can get help for this cemetery? Cyndy

These seminars are being held in cooperation with the Cemetery Recovery & Preservation Trust of Jacksonville, Inc., Chicora Foundation, Inc., and the Jacksonville Planning and Development Department Cemetery Preservation Jacksonville, FL - September 15-16, 2008 Learn how to begin a cemetery preservation or restoration project and how to help ensure that sound choices are made to avoid harming what you seek to protect. Discussions focus on current issues in cemetery preservation, such as recording and documenting cemeteries and graveyards, undertaking preservation efforts, and exploring conservation techniques and issues. An agenda is available online at www.npi.org. Instructors. Debi Hacker, conservation administrator of Chicora Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit heritage preservation organization specializing in research, public education, conservation, and preservation for museums, archives, and historic organizations and Michael Trinkley, Ph.D., director of Chicora Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit heritage preservation organization specializing in research, public education, conservation, and Cemetery Landscapes: A Practical Guide to Care and Maintenance. Jacksonville, FL - September 17, 2008 Learn how to protect historic cemetery landscapes, preserve integrity of design, and safeguard tombstones and monuments while pursuing a practical outlook on maintenance and budget concerns. Explore approaches to caring for softscapes, or plantings, and hardscapes, including roads, pathways, and benches. Discuss effective pruning and cutting techniques, and when chemicals and heavy equipment can be safely and productively used. Review the basics of short- and long-term preservation plans. An agenda is available online at www.npi.org. Instructor. Debi Hacker Registration. A registration form is available online at www.npi.org/register.html. The advance registration rate is valid until August 12 - $375 (2 days - Cem Pres) / $225 (1 day - Cem Landscape) / $525 (3 days - both seminars). The regular registration rate after that date is $425 (2 days - Cem Pres) / $275 (1 day - Cem Landscape) / $575 (3 days - both seminars). Questions? Please contact us. Thank you. Jere Gibber Executive Director National Preservation Institute P.O. Box 1702, Alexandria, VA 22313 703/765-0100; 703/768-9350 fax info@npi.org; www.npi.org

So much for cemetery preservation. I suppose before long, no one will look up a burial location for a Confederate Ancestor. --------------------------------- Richmond's Oakwood cemetery contains 17,000 sleeping Confederate soldiers who gave their all for their families, their land and country. I do not know the dignity of their birth, but I do know the glory of their death. They died unquestioning, uncomplaining, with faith in their hearts, and on their lips the hope that we would go on to victory. Always, for them: Duty, Honor, Country; always their blood and sweat and tears, as they sought the way and the light and the truth. Recently a family in South Carolina could not communicate a response from the Mayor of Richmond, Virginia, Doug Wilder or his administration regarding the grave of their family member buried in city controlled Oakwood Cemetery. Accordingly, they transported their Federal Government military burial head stone to Oakwood Cemetery and placed it on their family member's grave and returned to South Carolina. Last week the city of Richmond elected officials and managers sent a crew to that Confederate soldier's grave and with shovels dug and removed the soldier's head stone. The City of Richmond stole the head stone and transported it to an unknown place. Their act can only be characterized as the most vile and despicable racist act imaginable. Harry Black, a ranking administrator close to Mayor Douglas Wilder said he did not want to "disrespect" the other 125,000 people buried in the cemetery with a Confederate emblem. A.C. Griffith Richmond, Virginia grif703@comcast.net

Fellow genealogists and anyone concerned with preserving our sacred cemeteries, Time Warner and The History Channel are sponsoring a 'Save Our History' grant award for which people can go online and cast their vote. Voting ends on April 27th, so time is short. Our cemetery restoration project was the only genealogy group or cemetery project to be chosen as one of the five finalists, so I truly hope that you will go to the Time Warner website and cast your vote for the James Cemetery project. If awarded this grant, we will use 100% of the grant to begin installing an antique-style aluminum alloy fence around the perimeter in order to help halt further desecration of this sacred and historic burial ground. You can read more about our James Cemetery project at the Time Warner 'Save Our History' voting website. Please unite with us as a group of people concerned about the ever-increasing destruction of our cemeteries by VOTING for us at the website below. And note also that ANYONE with Internet access can VOTE!! www.aroundrr.com/SaveOurHistory Anthony

Cemetery Preservation – Washington, DC – September 18-19, 2006 Learn how to begin a cemetery preservation or restoration project and how to help ensure that sound choices are made to avoid harming what you seek to protect. Discussions focus on current issues in cemetery preservation, such as recording and documenting cemeteries and graveyards, undertaking preservation efforts, and exploring conservation techniques and issues. Instructors: Debi Hacker, conservation administrator of Chicora Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit heritage preservation organization specializing in research, public education, conservation, and preservation for museums, archives, and historic organizations and Michael Trinkley, Ph.D., director of Chicora Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit heritage preservation organization specializing in research, public education, conservation, and preservation for museums, archives, and historic organizations Cemetery Landscapes: A Practical Guide to Care and Maintenance – Washington, DC – September 20, 2006 Learn how to protect historic cemetery landscapes, preserve integrity of design, and safeguard tombstones and monuments while pursuing a practical outlook on maintenance and budget concerns. Explore approaches to caring for softscapes, or plantings, and hardscapes, including roads, pathways, and benches. Discuss effective pruning and cutting techniques, and when chemicals and heavy equipment can be safely and productively used. Review the basics of short- and long-term preservation plans. Instructor: Debi Hacker A registration form is available online at HYPERLINK "outbind://8/www.npi.org/register.html"www.npi.org/register.html. The regular registration rate $275 (1 day - Landscape) / $425 (2 days - Preservation) / $575 (3 days – both seminars). Information on NEA scholarships covering tuition for the Cemetery Preservation and Cemetery Landscapes seminars is available at HYPERLINK "outbind://8/www.npi.org"www.npi.org or at HYPERLINK "outbind://8/www.npi.org/NewsReleaseNEA2006/07.pdf"www.npi.org/NewsReleaseNE A2006/07.pdf. Michael Trinkley, Ph.D. Director Chicora Foundation, Inc. PO Box 8664 Columbia, SC 29202 803-787-6910 HYPERLINK "http://www.chicora.org/"www.chicora.org -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.3/423 - Release Date: 8/18/2006

Rootsweb has changed the AL-CEMETERY-PRESERVATION list to new servers beginning today. The new list names will be the same AL-CEMETERY-PRESERVATION@rootsweb.com Note the L has been removed. Old address AL-CEMETERY-PRESERVATION-L@rootsweb.com New address: AL-CEMETERY-PRESERVATION@rootsweb.com If you have filters, you should set them to allow mail from the list as: AL-CEMETERY-PRESERVATION@ROOTSWEB.COM (Doesn't have to be in capitals.) Both email addresses will still work for a while for sending e-mail but you may not receive it if you don't change it in your address book Remember those on the digest mode send their email to the new address of AL-CEMETERY-PRESERVATION@rootsweb.com Digest numbers will be out of sequence during the change over. A note for those members using AOL - there might a temporary delay in receiving list mail (on AOL's end). Make sure you check your spam folders, if you find any list mail there, click the THIS IS NOT SPAM button and read your mail in your inbox so the filters will be trained in regard to the new server. The main changes will be on my side in the Utility pages. Let me know if you have any concerns or questions. If I can't answer them, will find out the answer for us. I appreciate each of you and your understanding as we go through this change over. Kathleen Burnett List Mom

Dear List Members, If you are interested in knowing about other genealogical mailing list available, one of the very best inventories of genealogical mailing lists is John Fuller's Genealogy Resources on the Internet located at http://www.rootsweb.com/~jfuller/gen_mail.html If you ever need to unsubscribe from this list or any Rootsweb list all you need to do is visit Password Central located at http://passwordcentral.rootsweb.com/ Follow the instructions and you will received an e-mail of all lists you belong to and from it you can unsubscribe from the ones you want to. Always know that I will be more than happy to help you if you are having problems unsubscribing, you only need to ask. Please send this request to KathleenBurnett@earthlink.net not to the entire list. If you would like to visit the Archived messages of this list, go to http://archiver.rootsweb.com/ and type in the name of the list you would like to search and from there you can search by dates. If you are having problem and I do not answer you right away, know that I will. I like many of you work full time outside of my home. I am fortunate that I can check my e-mail any time I wish, but know that there are spaces of time I cannot. I always check my e-mail each and every evening and will respond to message as quickly as possible. There are a few items I would like to suggest for the benefit of each of us. 1. When sending a posting to the list it would help if you would put the subject of your posting in the subject line. Doing this also might give you a better chance to attract the attention of someone who has the information you are looking for or the attention of someone who is searching for the information you are posting. Many members are on many many lists and when they see a subject line that reads "My Ancestors" they just delete it. 2. When posting a query regarding a surname it would help all of us if you would put your surname in CAPS. This way the members can easily pick out the surnames you are looking for. On the other hand when the entire message is in CAPS we feel that we are being yelled at. 3. Please remember to delete the tags and un-needed words when you re-send a message to the list with your answer. If you don't check this, your responses can become quite large and may cause problems with some of our member's servers. This member who might not be able to receive your message because of its size, just might be your long lost second cousin with all the answers you are looking for. 5. Remember to keep your Virus protection up to date and never open any attached file unless you are 100% sure what it is and even then you are taking a chance. 6. Now, the hardest thing is when one of our own, a fellow member becomes upset about a posting from one from one of us. It is so hard not to jump in and add our two cents. I want you to know how much I appreciate it when you just let these posting go by and delete them. Know that I am behind the scenes taking care of the problem. If you ever have a concern that I might have missed a message that needs addressed you are welcome to contact me during the day at Kathleen.burnett@era.com or in the evenings at KathleenBurnett@earthlink.net. 7. If your list has the gateway open, meaning the messages posted on the board also hit he list, know that every once in a while a SPAM message that is caught by the Board filter slips through the gateway and hits the list before it can be stopped. JUST DELETE IT. By responding to the list regarding he offending message, you just continue it on, and there is not one thing I can do about it at that point. Please remember, so that this list is better for each of us, the posting of virus warnings, test messages, chain letters, political announcements, current events, items for sale, personal messages, flames, etc., in other words Spam is NOT ALLOWED and will be grounds for removal. Consideration for exceptions, contact me at KathleenBurnett@earthlink.net I want to thank each of you for your continued support of me and your willingness to help make this list the success it is. It is your list and is here for your benefit. If you have suggestions or comments you would like in future reports, you only need to send them to me. Kathleen Burnett List Mom KathleenBurnett@earthlink.net

Dear List Members, If you are interested in knowing about other genealogical mailing list available, one of the very best inventories of genealogical mailing lists is John Fuller's Genealogy Resources on the Internet located at http://www.rootsweb.com/~jfuller/gen_mail.html If you ever need to unsubscribe from this list or any Rootsweb list all you need to do is visit Password Central located at http://passwordcentral.rootsweb.com/ Follow the instructions and you will received an e-mail of all lists you belong to and from it you can unsubscribe from the ones you want to. Always know that I will be more than happy to help you if you are having problems unsubscribing, you only need to ask. Please send this request to KathleenBurnett@earthlink.net not to the entire list. If you would like to visit the Archived messages of this list, go to http://archiver.rootsweb.com/ and type in the name of the list you would like to search and from there you can search by dates. If you are having problem and I do not answer you right away, know that I will. I like many of you work full time outside of my home. I am fortunate that I can check my e-mail any time I wish, but know that there are spaces of time I cannot. I always check my e-mail each and every evening and will respond to message as quickly as possible. There are a few items I would like to suggest for the benefit of each of us. 1. When sending a posting to the list it would help if you would put the subject of your posting in the subject line. Doing this also might give you a better chance to attract the attention of someone who has the information you are looking for or the attention of someone who is searching for the information you are posting. Many members are on many many lists and when they see a subject line that reads "My Ancestors" they just delete it. 2. When posting a query regarding a surname it would help all of us if you would put your surname in CAPS. This way the members can easily pick out the surnames you are looking for. On the other hand when the entire message is in CAPS we feel that we are being yelled at. 3. Please remember to delete the tags and un-needed words when you re-send a message to the list with your answer. If you don't check this, your responses can become quite large and may cause problems with some of our member's servers. This member who might not be able to receive your message because of its size, just might be your long lost second cousin with all the answers you are looking for. 5. Remember to keep your Virus protection up to date and never open any attached file unless you are 100% sure what it is and even then you are taking a chance. 6. Now, the hardest thing is when one of our own, a fellow member becomes upset about a posting from one from one of us. It is so hard not to jump in and add our two cents. I want you to know how much I appreciate it when you just let these posting go by and delete them. Know that I am behind the scenes taking care of the problem. If you ever have a concern that I might have missed a message that needs addressed you are welcome to contact me during the day at Kathleen.burnett@era.com or in the evenings at KathleenBurnett@earthlink.net. 7. If your list has the gateway open, meaning the messages posted on the board also hit he list, know that every once in a while a SPAM message that is caught by the Board filter slips through the gateway and hits the list before it can be stopped. JUST DELETE IT. By responding to the list regarding he offending message, you just continue it on, and there is not one thing I can do about it at that point. Please remember, so that this list is better for each of us, the posting of virus warnings, test messages, chain letters, political announcements, current events, items for sale, personal messages, flames, etc., in other words Spam is NOT ALLOWED and will be grounds for removal. Consideration for exceptions, contact me at KathleenBurnett@earthlink.net I want to thank each of you for your continued support of me and your willingness to help make this list the success it is. It is your list and is here for your benefit. If you have suggestions or comments you would like in future reports, you only need to send them to me. Kathleen Burnett List Mom KathleenBurnett@earthlink.net

Thought there might be interest in this article on work in the Wrightboro Cemetery (McDuffie Co., GA): http://www.mcduffieprogress.com/articles/2004/11/24/news/news03.txt Best, Michael Trinkley, Ph.D. Director Chicora Foundation, Inc. PO Box 8664 Columbia, SC 29202 803-787-6910 www.chicora.org

Apologies for cross posting! A 1-1/2 day workshop to prepare you to tackle the issues involved in cemetery preservation projects. This workshop isn't designed to make you a conservator - that takes years of study and work - or teach you how to repair stones - each one is different. But what it will do is prepare you to ask the right questions, evaluate realistically your cemetery's needs, establish priorities, and better understand all of the choices you'll have to make along the way. The workshop includes a mix of carefully developed information; pass-around examples so you can see, feel, and touch the materials; and class demonstrations of important issues - all geared to help you better understand the preservation issues facing your cemetery. Also included is a notebook full of information that you can take back and immediately put to use! A box lunch is included on Friday. Day 1 - Friday, October 29 9:00 - 9:30 am Registration and Coffee 9:30 - 10:00 am Welcome, introductions, what is conservation? 10:00 - 10:20 am The different types of American cemeteries and recognizing their styles 10:20 - 10:45 am Monument types and stones found in the Carolinas 10:45 - 11:30 am Appropriate recordation techniques 11:30 - noon Understanding symbolism noon - 1:00 pm Lunch - onsite 1:00 - 1:30 pm Developing a cemetery plan 1:30 - 2:00 pm Landscape and maintenance 2:00 - 2:30 pm Access, vandalism, security and signage issues 2:30 - 3:30 pm Deterioration and appropriate repairs 3:30 - 4:00 pm Cleaning stone 4:00 - 4:15 pm Essential issues in ironwork 4:15 - 4:30 pm Overview of day and questions Day 2 - Saturday, October 30 9:00 - 10:00 am Questions from Day 1 and other concerns? 10:00 - 10:15 am Different repair materials - and why it matters 10:15 - 11:30 am Understanding cements, hydrated lime, lime putty, and hydraulic lime - and when to use each (mixing and using mortars appropriate in cemetery work) 11:30 - noon Pointing historic masonry in cemeteries noon - 12:30 pm Questions Your Instructors Chicora Foundation has a 21-year history of preservation work, including cemetery assessments, treatments of iron and stone, and development of preservation plans. The instructors are Debi Hacker, Chicora's Conservation Administrator and Michael Trinkley, the Foundation's Director. They have been involved in dozens of cemetery projects, including a recent FEMA-funded conservation project in Albany, Georgia and a church funded project in Lancaster County, South Carolina. Debi has her B.A. from Tulane University and Mike has a doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Both are Associate members of the American Institute for Conservation of Artistic and Historic Works and subscribe to the AIC Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. The Location The workshop is being held at the Seibels House at 1601 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The phone is 803-252-7742, Ext. 23 and the fax is 803-929-7695. This facility is located across the street from Richland I School District Administration at the corner of Pickens and Richland Streets. If you'd like to stay overnight, please call local hotels and make reservations directly. Who Should Attend This workshop is designed for managers, care takers, superintendents, genealogists, preservationists, and others with primary responsibility for the care and preservation of a historic cemetery. It is also great those beginning a local cemetery project. The Dates The workshop is being held on Friday, October 29 (from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm) and Saturday, October 30 (from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm). The Cost This two-day, 9.0 contact hour workshop costs only $65 (Historic Columbia member registration is $50). To Register There are three convenient ways to register: * Register and pay by mail: Historic Columbia, 1601 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201 * Call 803-252-7742, Ext. 23 to ensure a space and charge the cost to your credit card * Call 803-252-7742, Ext. 23 to ensure a space and then send your check by mail Space is limited to 20 - be sure to register today! Lisa B. Randle Director of Multicultural & Educational Programming Historic Columbia 1601 Richland Street Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 252-7742 x.21 (803) 929-7695 fax

The National Preservation Institute, a nonprofit organization founded in 1980, educates those involved in the management, preservation, and stewardship of our cultural heritage. NPI has a Cemetery Preservation seminar scheduled for September 13-14, 2004 in Washington, DC. We would very much appreciate any help you might give us in letting people who might benefit from these seminars know about them. The following URL address links to a flyer with registration form on Cemetery Preservation seminar: http://www.npi.org/Cem/WDC0904.pdf Special tuition rate: $325 September 13-14, 2004, Washington, DC Also, for this seminar, NPI has a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts that funds some scholarships (covering tuition only). For information on NEA scholarships and an application form, go to www.npi.org or to http://www.npi.org/Sch/NEA0704.pdf and http://www.npi.org/NewsRelease/NEA0704.pdf Seminar description: The first day will focus on current issues in cemetery preservation, such as recording and documenting cemeteries and graveyards, in the am session. The afternoon session will go over critical preservation plan features, ranging from landscape to the appropriateness of various conservation techniques. The second day will focus on specific conservation treatments and what you need to be aware of to select an appropriate conservator. The session will also explore issues surrounding mortars and limes, looking at appropriate mixes and repointing cemetery brickwork. In the afternoon of the second day the workshop will break into two groups to explore preservation and conservation issues on the ground. One group will look at landscape and horticultural issues (lawn mowing, appropriate plantings, rehabilitation of damaged landscapes) while the other looks at conservation issues (repair techniques, prioritizing treatments, and issues of public use). Instructors: Both instructors are associated with Chicora Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit heritage preservation organization specializing in research, public education, conservation, and preservation for museums, archives, and historic organizations. The foundation has an extensive cemetery preservation program and their web site provides a wealth of cemetery information (http://www.chicora.org/conservation.htm). Debi Hacker is the conservation administrator of Chicora and author of the book, Iconography of Death: Common Symbolism of Late 18th through Early 20th Century Tombstones in the Southeastern United States. She has also expertise in horticulture and landscape and will be discussing landscape maintenance issues. Michael Trinkley, Ph.D., is the director of Chicora and responsible for the foundation's active program of on-site conservation treatments. He is an authorized JahnR product installer and has also attended the U.S. Heritage lime workshop. He will be responsible for the conservation portions of the workshop. Please let me know if you have any questions. Jere Gibber Executive Director National Preservation Institute P.O. Box 1702, Alexandria, VA 22313 703/765-0100; 703/768-9350 fax info@npi.org; www.npi.org

I said my peace and hoped this issue would die the death it deserves, but it doesn't seem to. I suppose what bothers me are comments such as "talking about the system," "they take ... but ... seldom give it back," and "should stop raising the prices." Come on folks -- its time for a reality check. Instead of complaining, spend some time on line and find out what's happening to your local archives' budgets. Take a look at how those increases -- or decreases -- compare to real inflation. See if those budgets reflect increased use of collections. I'll bet what you discover is that archives are attempting to do more with less. And why? Because taxpayers constantly complain. Legislators want to be seen as cutting taxes -- a sure key to re-election. So, if you don't like being charged, again I tell you, sign a petition demanding that taxes be raised so all this stuff is free. Sign a petition telling your legislators, county councils, and city councils, that you don't mind paying more taxes so the archives can provide superior service. But until you do that, stop complaining that real services have real costs. Michael Trinkley, Ph.D. Director Chicora Foundation, Inc. PO Box 8664 Columbia, SC 29202 803-787-6910 www.chicora.org