> I am doing a study at University on Copyright, Data Protection and > Freedom Of Information Acts and how they effect the family > historian. I particularly want to focus on the various closure > rules that relate to documentation. Can any one suggest and source > books or websites etc that may be useful from an academic point of > view? Anyone know where I may find out what law states what length > of closure should apply to what document type etc. Any help / > advice gratefully received. > > Wendy > NW England > "Sportysprout" <sportysprout@blueyonder.co.uk> Wendy- Federation of Family History Societies http://www.ffhs.org.uk/ In the US The Federation of Genealogical Societies http://www.fgs.org/rpa/ This is a link to their page on records preservation and access. There have been recent problems in various US states concerning record closings, etc. Here are some links to groups which might be able to steer you in the right direction. The Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council has been working with town clerks to clarify what the clerks job is and what clerks should expect from genealogists. http://www.rootsweb.com/~ctpgc/access.html Florida had a problem recently - the governor wanted to close the Florida State Library, and distribute the materials to other institutions: http://www.florida-historical-soc.org/ Massachusetts is having an ongoing problem with legislators submitting bills to restrict access to the vital records. The Massachusetts Genealogical Council http://massgencouncil.home.attbi.com/index.htm Re: The Laws - length of closure - Each US State has it's own rules regarding record access. You could start here http://www.50states.com/ Each page has a link for public records of that state. Freedom of Information Act 2000 http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000036.htm Department of Justice FOIA update page http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/foi-upd.htm For US Copyright - see Library of Congress http://www.loc.gov/ click on US Copyright office For UK copyright - I found this: http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/index.htm Hope these will give you a place to start. Lisa llepore@juno.com