This is an off-topic post about an important subject, so please forgive the intrusion on the list. Please do not respond to this post on the list! The US National Archives, due to proposed budget cuts, is planning to ELIMINATE all Saturday hours and evening hours. Whether you have ever used the Archives or not, this is a serious matter that all genealogists and American citizens should find of great concern. This would affect the DC headquarters and all branches. The National Genealogical Society has proposed that the Archives adjust its hours instead, perhaps closing on a weekday or opening later in the mornings to accomodate Saturday and at least some evening hours. (While the Archives contends that evening and Saturday usage of the research facility is low, they also have acknowledged their analysis of this attendance was flawed, especially on evening hours attendance.) The cut-off for public comment on this matter is Friday, September 8. The best thing you could do is contact your own Congressional representatives before Friday. However, since time is short, there is an on-line petition that can be signed at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/FGS2006/petition.html (it is case sensitive and must be entered just as it appears here) If you would like to send your own personal letter, send it prior to 8 September 2006: Regulations Comments Desk (NPOL) Room 4100, Policy and Planning Staff National Archives and Records Administration 8601 Adelphi Road College Park, MD 20740-6001 The NARA news release can be found at www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2006/nr06-125.html I hope you will take a moment to add your voice to this, and to pass it along to your cousins and fellow family researchers. Again, my apologies for an off-topic post. Sandra Kidd