Dear Friends, I write you tonight as a report and a request for help with the preservation of the 7th floor records at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse. So far, everything I've done should be viewed as investigative. On this list, there was a report that the 7th floor was closed to the public. This was immediately laid to rest by another report that checking with courthouse officials proved this was not true. I knew little of the conditions and procedures necessary needed to do research of these historic records but did advise members of this list that the 7th floor should be looked at as a remote location and that a request to go up there should be made before arriving at the courthouse. This is very important to anyone living out of town. Yes, it is true that there are laws that require that all public records be available for public examination and citizens be allowed to copy these records. As written before, no one should use this to wag a finger at any official if there is a delay in your request. It can not be stressed enough that everyone should conduct themselves in a friendly manner and I'm certain anything can be worked out. In the last month, I've toured the 7th floor twice and plan to return again this week. So far, I've discovered mold on some of these records and courthouse officials as well as ADAH has been notified and ADAH is working to get dehumidifiers up there. On 09 Sept 04, a meeting with Mr. R. L. Guffin, President of the Tuscaloosa Genealogy Night Group, myself and the new Circuit Court Clerk Fran Brazeal, where a request was made for permission to clean these records and remove them to a better environmentally friendly area of the courthouse. That request was not accepted for some good reasons. I'm happy to say that Ms. Brazeal is also into genealogy so will be understanding of our concerns. She could not meet our request because at this time, she has no budget for this. It must be accepted that with Gov. Riley's budget cuts, our court system is suffering. Also, things of this nature need to be planned for. I am happy to say that in a call to Tracey Berezansky, who is the Assistant Director for ADAH, told me that ADAH can send a crew to assist in mold removal. It is my hope that this can be done in late October. There may be delays because of damage from IVAN to other courthouses and archives. On 07 Oct 04, I will be requesting that the Tuscaloosa Genealogy Society Night Group adopt this as an official project of the Society and I already know a few of it's members will help with this clean up. I also want everyone to know that Ms. Brazeal allowed "The Tuscaloosa News" to tour the 7th floor and take photos for a coming article in the "News". This is proof enough that Ms. Brazeal will be as helpful as possible but her hands are truly tied at the moment. That "News article" is being written by reporter Stephanie Taylor that tells me it is scheduled to be printed in this Sat. paper. Please look for it. You can do this on-line. I have begged her to be positive and upbeat with this article because the conditions on the 7th floor is something that has evolved over time and that no one person is to be blamed for it. Mr. Clark Center, Director of the Special Collections Library of the U. of A. has told me that I need public awareness for public support to be successful in this project. It is true that local officials will spend local money on local concerns. That is where you can help. You must show your support by writing and calling others to alert them to this project and show their support for it. You can do this by merely replying to this post. I will provide my e-mail address but encourage everyone to post messages on this list. So there you have it. Many have known of this problem for quite something. I am bringing it to light once again. Now is the time for you to support it. Please don't let these historic records (Now discovered to date back to 1817, two years before Alabama became a state.) down. Take care. Bye, Mike [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>