Here is a follow up message that was sent to the Poindexter list. It provides more information concerning increase charges that the National Archives has proposed for 1 July. Richard -------- Original Message -------- Subject: NARA Rate Hike -- Clarification Date: Wed, 8 Mar 2000 17:08:04 -0800 (PST) From: Janmim@aol.com Hello Everyone: The NARA rate hike is a proposal. I am pasting in an email that I sent to a couple of lists after a conversation with a cousin at NARA. It is self explanatory. <insert> To the Cooper,Jordan, Clough Lists and the TNSumner List: Since these are (surprisingly) the only lists of mine the NARA fee hike for pensions and other records has appeared on I am forwarding to you NARA's official response to the most unwelcome flood of comments they have received regarding the fee hike. I received this from a contact who works at the Archives (in a different branch) who I immediately contacted. Upon request, the individual (who was told to remain anonymous) was given this by NARA powers that be and told it could be disseminated. Apparently, this proposal is still being circulated within NARA. In fine Washington style, it was leaked (at least) by a regional office and someone at headquarters. Needless to say NARA officials are distressed, sword carrying officials walking the halls looking for the heads that must roll, etc. (This is typical, required behavior for all agencies when something like this happens.) The response below went to Jack Brissee, Chair, FGS/NGS Records Preservation and Access Committee. NARA has been contacted by many individuals and genealogy societies this week. I would imagine the feedback hasn't been too favorable--unprintable is one description for some. In sum, the proposal is still in early stages. As is the case with government decision making, agreement must still be reached within NARA. Then the proposal is circulated among various government agencies that have a say. It will also be circulated to various genealogy societies who serve as advisers to NARA. (I am not familiar with this particular agency, but most government agencies have an informal private sector advice process before going "public".) The next step would be a Federal Register announcement which would give EVERYONE a chance to comment, on the record, to the government, copying your Congressman, etc., etc. If there is a loud outcry and you get the committees in Congress involved, there will undoubtedly be adjustments. I too think that the fee increase is abominable. I live in Alexandria VA, but can research in Washington, DC and have been blessed to be able to view/hold the original Civil War pension files of my 3 ancestors involved (and their widows pensions). Two of them are relatively small (15 pages or so). The third is a godsend from so many angles, but it was at least 40 pages long and took me about 30 minutes to copy accurately and completely...including widow's pension papers. I think for NARA everything evens out in the end under the current fee structure. FYI, not to depress you, but in addition I already had copies of two of the files from cousins but wanted to simply hold the originals (the smaller ones). NOT copied were incidental notes from the applicant or in two cases, his/her children helping out regarding the status of the cases, cover notes for the delivery of documents. In other words, I found out who helped gg grandpa/ma do the paperwork. In one case the entries were on small notepad stationary from a local establishment (Happy Hour Theater), that led to a whole other set of interesting tidbits for my files after followup. However, none of the important genealogy information or official documents were left out. I hope this helps you all. The fee proposal still has a long way to go, but that does not mean we don't need to be alert. The message below containing the sanctioned NARA response can be cut and pasted and disseminated to any list or anyone. (Cheska for Quaker Roots if it shows up). My Best, Janet (Baugh) Hunter ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From Jack Brissee, Chair, FGS/NGS Records Preservation and Access Committee: ----- Original Message ----- From: Jack Brissee To: ROOTS-L ; APG-L@rootsweb.com ; sharp2tono@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, 01 March, 2000 14:05 Subject: re: Cost of Military Records Going Up (NARA Statement) There have been postings on a number of mail lists recently about an increase in the fees the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) charges for copies of compiled military service records and pension records. While NARA is considering a change to the fee structure for these documents, the information that has been posted is both premature and somewhat inaccurate. The Records Preservation and Access Committee, a joint endeavor of the Federation of Genealogical Societies and the National Genealogical Society, has contacted NARA officials for clarification. The following is the "official NARA statement" issued in response to our inquiry: -Begin NARA Statement: The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) will be issuing a proposed rule within the next few weeks that will revise fees for reproduction, including the "fixed-fee" orders in the NATF 80 series. The proposed rule will have a 60-day public comment period, during which time we will actively seek the comments of the user community. The proposed rule is presently undergoing internal government review. When it is released for publication in the Federal Register, NARA will notify the national genealogical organizations and post a copy of the proposed rule on its web site. The message will include the exact URL and the address for sending comments. -End NARA Statement- The Records Preservation and Access Committee will continue to monitor this proposal, and will post relevant information on the Records Preservation and Access pages of the Federation of Genealogical Societies' Web site (http:www.fgs.org) when it is available. Please feel free to forward this posting to other mail lists on which the original posting may have appeared. Jack Brissee Chair, FGS/NGS Records Preservation and Access Committee