Friends on all my genealogy lists... please help with this, Iowa congresswoman's email: bsoukup@legis.state.ia.us I think if we all just write and tell our concerns for the future of genealogy in Iowa, telling her how much we count on finding the records of our ancestors. Say also that people need "proof" of ancestry if they want to join DAR and other organizations, and by that we need the birth certificates. Suggest to her, just as you have said below. Let's think this through... a person who is looking for a new identity will usually be looking for someone who died as a baby, as you have said, find some way of flagging these with death certificates so that no one can pretend it is theirs and request a copy. Perhaps they could make a rule for proof of identity another way before they send out "certified" copies with the official seal. Genealogists don't need certified copies, as long as we just get a copy, that would constitute "source" I would think. Am I off base on this? I'm happy just to get xerox copies of things :)) I think we should write on this even if we don't have ancestors from Iowa... you never know how many more states will start to close birth records to the public. >Well to my knowledge, I don't have any "roots" in Iowa but in any case, can >we find out where and who to email about this! If we all write them, maybe >they will listen. I understand the "stealing" of ID's but I am sure there >could be some way they could cross reference them with death records or >maybe use a cut off date? If you can, please let us know what we can do! >Thanks for checking it out!! >Carolyn >> It wasn't a hoax... see below: >> > >> >> Hi Violet. I received the following response to my email...evidently >> >it's >> >> just birth records that may be affected. >> >> Please note that I gave the wrong email address for Betty Soukup, Iowa >> >State >> >> Senator whose response was almost instantaneous. It should not be Soup >> >> kup...... connie >> >> bsoukup@legis.state.ia.us (Soukup, Betty) >> >> >> >> Thank you for your interest in the proposed change in the procedure >> >relating >> >> to copies of birth records. This initiative will be part of the >> Department >> >> of Public Health's legislative package for the 2000 session. >> >> >> >> I have spoken with officials in the Department of Public Health to >> >> hear their rationale for this change. They have indicated that under >> >> current law anyone can walk into a county courthouse and look at birth >> >> records. Their concern stems, not from wanting to restrict access to >such >> >> records, but from a history of abuse by those seeking to establish >false >> >> identities. >> >> >> >> I understand your concern, but there is a specific problem the >> >> Department is trying to address and the Legislature will have to >evaluate >> >> the arguments. >> >> >> >> I am unsure how to address this issue, but the Department has >> >> indicated they are willing to discuss alternatives. >> >> >> >> Thank you again for sharing your views with me. Please feel free >to >> >> contact me with any additional information or comments. >> >> >> >> Sincerely, >> >> Betty Soukup >> >> State Senator