Correction/clarification: >California death records are still on line. > >The following databases have been removed from the RootsWeb site: >California birth records. >Maine marriage records. >Texas birth, divorce, and marriage records. >"In addition to our goal to provide outstanding genealogical resources to >our users, Rootsweb.com is also committed to protecting the privacy of our >customers." > >Susan <fmcmahan@neo.rr.com> In the News - RootsWeb pulls CA birth database Balancing privacy and the right to know : Debate on online birth records mirrors national issue. With invasions of privacy emerging as a rising concern, officials across the nation are struggling to find a balance between an individual's interest in protecting personal data and the public's right to know. - San Jose Mercury News (CA) December 8, 2001. http://www0.mercurycenter.com/premium/local/docs/privacy08.htm CA Gov Davis halts sale of birth and death database The governor's order requires the California Department of Health and Human Services to suspend the sale of its birth and death records database for the next 45 days, while the department reviews what types of personal information can be released under state public-records laws. - San Francisco Chronicle December 6, 2001. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/12/06/MN159666.DTL Website Shuts Off Birthdate Data RootsWeb.com has closed down a service that made it easy for people to obtain California birth records and mothers' maiden names. KPIX-TV 5 San Francisco December 1, 2001. http://beta.kpix.com/news/local/2001/11/30/Website_Shuts_Off_Birthdate_Data.html ROOTSWEB Decision - At 01:21 PM 12/2/2001 -0800, Don wrote: >PRIVACY CONCERNS SPUR POLICY CHANGE >BY DION NISSENBAUM >Mercury News Sacramento Bureau > >SACRAMENTO -- One of the nation's largest online genealogy companies decided >Thursday to remove from its Web site personal information about people born >in California -- but only for people who ask. (NOTE: they were swamped with >requests and have completely removed the database from our access.) > >The company, RootsWeb. com, took the action after it was thrown into the >spotlight Wednesday by California lawmakers who demonstrated how easy it is >to use the Web site to glean critical information, such as date of birth and >mother's maiden name, that can serve as building blocks for identity theft. >....................................................