I realize that every state is in a budget crunch, some worse than others, and they are trying to get creative in ways to raise money and irritate the fewest number of people.. I don't have a problem with charging a look-up fee but I am still not clear on weather this charge is per request or per page or chapter of what... I also feel that as with most states it is the out of town folks that will pay the majority of the cost.. As this may seen fair to those who live in Illinios, it seems unfair to those of us who do not.. I agree that those who can go into the State Archives and do the research personally could be exempt, the question is does the person at the archives do less work for a walk in then they do for a mail or e-mail request? I don't know the answer that is why I ask. Just my humble opinion as an Illinioian stuck in Texas!! MJ _________________________________________________________________ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail

I tend to agree with MJ Bradley as to the cost for the upcoming bill by Rep Gary Hannig. However, it seems to me that those who walk in should pay more because the person has to drop what they are doing and find the record. When it comes to a mail-in request with payment or even an email with online payment, the search can be delayed for a number of days if so desired by the staff. I do agree that something needs to be charged. In a lot of counties I get just a xerox copy for around 50-cents if I do the lookup in the books (when permitted). Other places will charge $1 or even $1.50 per xerox copy (one side of one sheet of paper). If I desire a certified copy then the cost can range from $5.00 to $25.00 regardless of who does the search. If I still resided in Illinois I would support $3 to $5 charge for someone to do the research plus the cost of each copy (one side of a sheet of page) as appropriate to cover the maintenance and supplies of the copier. Even though the individuals are state employees, they are paid. The more requests that are received (walk-in or any type of mail in) the more chance of additional staff members needed. The few dollars for their service probably won't cover their payroll or other benefits paid by the state. In addition, we should be glad that the archives and the library aren't being the subject of a closure to cut costs as in the State of Florida. Those who want to add their names to an on-line petition which will be sent to Gov. Jeb Bush to re-think his proposed budget cuts can do so until the end of the month. I don't have the exact URL address, but I believe if you can find the Florida State Genealogical (or History) Society's website there will be something there to connect to. Debbi Geer __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Shopping - Send Flowers for Valentine's Day http://shopping.yahoo.com

Debbie and Bradley are doing a great job. I'd like to see the charges as well. I like "Free Stuff" as well as anyone else. But not at the expense of others, that is just what it. Some volunteer has to do the work in order for some one else to give it away free and that just isn't right. Remember one thing. If you didn't do the work then it isn't yours! It's someone else's and you are taking credit for it. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Debbi Geer" <dgirth@yahoo.com> To: <ILGREENE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 10:45 AM Subject: Re: [ILGREENE] Illinois Bill > I tend to agree with MJ Bradley as to the cost for the > upcoming bill by Rep Gary Hannig. > > However, it seems to me that those who walk in should > pay more because the person has to drop what they are > doing and find the record. When it comes to a mail-in > request with payment or even an email with online > payment, the search can be delayed for a number of > days if so desired by the staff. > > I do agree that something needs to be charged. In a > lot of counties I get just a xerox copy for around > 50-cents if I do the lookup in the books (when > permitted). Other places will charge $1 or even $1.50 > per xerox copy (one side of one sheet of paper). If I > desire a certified copy then the cost can range from > $5.00 to $25.00 regardless of who does the search. > > If I still resided in Illinois I would support $3 to > $5 charge for someone to do the research plus the cost > of each copy (one side of a sheet of page) as > appropriate to cover the maintenance and supplies of > the copier. > > Even though the individuals are state employees, they > are paid. The more requests that are received > (walk-in or any type of mail in) the more chance of > additional staff members needed. The few dollars for > their service probably won't cover their payroll or > other benefits paid by the state. > > In addition, we should be glad that the archives and > the library aren't being the subject of a closure to > cut costs as in the State of Florida. Those who want > to add their names to an on-line petition which will > be sent to Gov. Jeb Bush to re-think his proposed > budget cuts can do so until the end of the month. I > don't have the exact URL address, but I believe if you > can find the Florida State Genealogical (or History) > Society's website there will be something there to > connect to. > > > Debbi Geer > > > __________________________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Shopping - Send Flowers for Valentine's Day > http://shopping.yahoo.com > > > ==== ILGREENE Mailing List ==== > Visit the Greene County USGenWeb Homepage! > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilgreene/green.htm > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > >

One thing I haven't seen mentioned - I can understand why those individuals who live out of state would think the bill unfair. However, those of us who still live in Illinois pay taxes which go towards paying the salaries and benefits of all state employees. I think Dr. Daly felt that since we are, in effect, paying for the Archives and Archival expenses it was more equitable to charge the "lookup or research" fee for those individuals living outside the state of Illinois. While a modest fee isn't unreasonable, I know he doesn't want a two tiered charge system (one fee for in-state and another for out of state). Apparently they tried something like that in past years and it was a bookkeeping nightmare. The problem with the free look-ups came about because of the sheer volume of requests - they are still working a backlog of over 18000 requests. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Debbi Geer" <dgirth@yahoo.com> To: <ILGREENE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 10:45 AM Subject: Re: [ILGREENE] Illinois Bill > I tend to agree with MJ Bradley as to the cost for the > upcoming bill by Rep Gary Hannig. > > However, it seems to me that those who walk in should > pay more because the person has to drop what they are > doing and find the record. When it comes to a mail-in > request with payment or even an email with online > payment, the search can be delayed for a number of > days if so desired by the staff. > > I do agree that something needs to be charged. In a > lot of counties I get just a xerox copy for around > 50-cents if I do the lookup in the books (when > permitted). Other places will charge $1 or even $1.50 > per xerox copy (one side of one sheet of paper). If I > desire a certified copy then the cost can range from > $5.00 to $25.00 regardless of who does the search. > > If I still resided in Illinois I would support $3 to > $5 charge for someone to do the research plus the cost > of each copy (one side of a sheet of page) as > appropriate to cover the maintenance and supplies of > the copier. > > Even though the individuals are state employees, they > are paid. The more requests that are received > (walk-in or any type of mail in) the more chance of > additional staff members needed. The few dollars for > their service probably won't cover their payroll or > other benefits paid by the state. > > In addition, we should be glad that the archives and > the library aren't being the subject of a closure to > cut costs as in the State of Florida. Those who want > to add their names to an on-line petition which will > be sent to Gov. Jeb Bush to re-think his proposed > budget cuts can do so until the end of the month. I > don't have the exact URL address, but I believe if you > can find the Florida State Genealogical (or History) > Society's website there will be something there to > connect to. > > > Debbi Geer > > > __________________________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Shopping - Send Flowers for Valentine's Day > http://shopping.yahoo.com > > > ==== ILGREENE Mailing List ==== > Visit the Greene County USGenWeb Homepage! > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilgreene/green.htm > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > >

I live in Mo. and we are charged $10 for a search. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shirley Aleguas" <saleguas@motion.net> To: <ILGREENE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 2:07 PM Subject: Re: [ILGREENE] Illinois Bill > One thing I haven't seen mentioned - > > I can understand why those individuals who live out of state would think the > bill unfair. However, those of us who still live in Illinois pay taxes > which go towards paying the salaries and benefits of all state employees. I > think Dr. Daly felt that since we are, in effect, paying for the Archives > and Archival expenses it was more equitable to charge the "lookup or > research" fee for those individuals living outside the state of Illinois. > > While a modest fee isn't unreasonable, I know he doesn't want a two tiered > charge system (one fee for in-state and another for out of state). > Apparently they tried something like that in past years and it was a > bookkeeping nightmare. The problem with the free look-ups came about > because of the sheer volume of requests - they are still working a backlog > of over 18000 requests. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Debbi Geer" <dgirth@yahoo.com> > To: <ILGREENE-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 10:45 AM > Subject: Re: [ILGREENE] Illinois Bill > > > > I tend to agree with MJ Bradley as to the cost for the > > upcoming bill by Rep Gary Hannig. > > > > However, it seems to me that those who walk in should > > pay more because the person has to drop what they are > > doing and find the record. When it comes to a mail-in > > request with payment or even an email with online > > payment, the search can be delayed for a number of > > days if so desired by the staff. > > > > I do agree that something needs to be charged. In a > > lot of counties I get just a xerox copy for around > > 50-cents if I do the lookup in the books (when > > permitted). Other places will charge $1 or even $1.50 > > per xerox copy (one side of one sheet of paper). If I > > desire a certified copy then the cost can range from > > $5.00 to $25.00 regardless of who does the search. > > > > If I still resided in Illinois I would support $3 to > > $5 charge for someone to do the research plus the cost > > of each copy (one side of a sheet of page) as > > appropriate to cover the maintenance and supplies of > > the copier. > > > > Even though the individuals are state employees, they > > are paid. The more requests that are received > > (walk-in or any type of mail in) the more chance of > > additional staff members needed. The few dollars for > > their service probably won't cover their payroll or > > other benefits paid by the state. > > > > In addition, we should be glad that the archives and > > the library aren't being the subject of a closure to > > cut costs as in the State of Florida. Those who want > > to add their names to an on-line petition which will > > be sent to Gov. Jeb Bush to re-think his proposed > > budget cuts can do so until the end of the month. I > > don't have the exact URL address, but I believe if you > > can find the Florida State Genealogical (or History) > > Society's website there will be something there to > > connect to. > > > > > > Debbi Geer > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > > Do you Yahoo!? > > Yahoo! Shopping - Send Flowers for Valentine's Day > > http://shopping.yahoo.com > > > > > > ==== ILGREENE Mailing List ==== > > Visit the Greene County USGenWeb Homepage! > > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilgreene/green.htm > > > > ============================== > > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, > go to: > > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > > > > > > > > ==== ILGREENE Mailing List ==== > Visit the Greene County USGenWeb Homepage! > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilgreene/green.htm > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > >

At the Illinois State Archives in Springfield, the people that work there do not find the record for you. You, yourself hunt for the information. All they do is show you where the books are, and how to read it. They even have a computer for you to look on their site for the death date, etc. if you did not bring it with you. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Debbi Geer" <dgirth@yahoo.com> To: <ILGREENE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 10:45 AM Subject: Re: [ILGREENE] Illinois Bill > I tend to agree with MJ Bradley as to the cost for the > upcoming bill by Rep Gary Hannig. > > However, it seems to me that those who walk in should > pay more because the person has to drop what they are > doing and find the record. When it comes to a mail-in > request with payment or even an email with online > payment, the search can be delayed for a number of > days if so desired by the staff. > > I do agree that something needs to be charged. In a > lot of counties I get just a xerox copy for around > 50-cents if I do the lookup in the books (when > permitted). Other places will charge $1 or even $1.50 > per xerox copy (one side of one sheet of paper). If I > desire a certified copy then the cost can range from > $5.00 to $25.00 regardless of who does the search. > > If I still resided in Illinois I would support $3 to > $5 charge for someone to do the research plus the cost > of each copy (one side of a sheet of page) as > appropriate to cover the maintenance and supplies of > the copier. > > Even though the individuals are state employees, they > are paid. The more requests that are received > (walk-in or any type of mail in) the more chance of > additional staff members needed. The few dollars for > their service probably won't cover their payroll or > other benefits paid by the state. > > In addition, we should be glad that the archives and > the library aren't being the subject of a closure to > cut costs as in the State of Florida. Those who want > to add their names to an on-line petition which will > be sent to Gov. Jeb Bush to re-think his proposed > budget cuts can do so until the end of the month. I > don't have the exact URL address, but I believe if you > can find the Florida State Genealogical (or History) > Society's website there will be something there to > connect to. > > > Debbi Geer > > > __________________________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Shopping - Send Flowers for Valentine's Day > http://shopping.yahoo.com > > > ==== ILGREENE Mailing List ==== > Visit the Greene County USGenWeb Homepage! > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilgreene/green.htm > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >

That's true sometimes. I have been there numerous times when novices walk in and the staff member will do the actual work as part of the instruction. Debbi __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Shopping - Send Flowers for Valentine's Day http://shopping.yahoo.com

My experience from the State Archives, is this... you go there, they show you the books, and how to get started, how to load the film, and where it is located, then you do the work yourself, unless you run into a problem and then they help you look through the film. They are very pleasant people to deal with, very under staffed, and are looking for volunteers to continue to add information online. The cost as of January were very reasonable if you were able to go there yourself the first two copies are free and after that each copy is .50. I do not know what the cost is if you have them look it up for you. I do know that at some point in time they hope to do the free online requests again. I forget just how many thousands of requests they were behind when I was there in January. For convenience of those of us who work during the normal week days, they are open on Saturday from 8:30 to 3:00 P.M. I myself found it to be a most enjoyable trip, and found the people to be very helpful, and very eager to help in any way that they could. ----- Original Message ----- From: "MJ Bradley" <mj_bradley@hotmail.com> To: <ILGREENE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 6:30 AM Subject: [ILGREENE] Illinois Bill > I realize that every state is in a budget crunch, some worse than others, > and they are trying to get creative in ways to raise money and irritate the > fewest number of people.. > I don't have a problem with charging a look-up fee but I am still not clear > on weather this charge is per request or per page or chapter of what... I > also feel that as with most states it is the out of town folks that will pay > the majority of the cost.. As this may seen fair to those who live in > Illinios, it seems unfair to those of us who do not.. > I agree that those who can go into the State Archives and do the research > personally could be exempt, the question is does the person at the archives > do less work for a walk in then they do for a mail or e-mail request? I > don't know the answer that is why I ask. > > Just my humble opinion as an Illinioian stuck in Texas!! > MJ > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* > http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail > > > ==== ILGREENE Mailing List ==== > Visit the Greene County USGenWeb Homepage! > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilgreene/green.htm > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >