Hi ladies and gentlemen, Please read the note at the bottom of your notes. Someone is giving Illinois an unearned "black eye". It may be true of Iowa, but I got this from a person who lives and researches in ILLINOIS. Spirit At 11:47 PM 2/1/00 EST, you wrote: In a message dated 02/01/2000 6:09:10 PM Eastern Standard Time, LDSMommy@aol.com writes: I thought some of you might have an interest in this. I know I do. Heidi P. Sorry if you belong to many lists where this will appear. But, I think it's really important. From: "Joyce Lund" <lundway@rockisland.com> To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:@cronus.rockisland.com;> Subject: Fw: Closing Public Records Access in Iowa Here's our chance to make a difference. It only takes a minute and is so vital! Joyce Iowa wants to close its public record access as Illinois has already done! Please forward this message to: 1) as many people you know who reside in Iowa 2) as many genealogical societies as you know 3) as many other organizations whose voices might make a difference 4) everyone you know who is involved in genealogy and history research In a message dated 1/25/00 3:35:01 PM: The State of Iowa is considering closing their records to the public. This has already been done in the State of Illinois where you have to rely on someone in the courthouse to look things up for you for a fee of $2.00 and if you want a copy of the record, it is $8.00 more. Many of the people from the East went to Iowa and you may need to obtain some of their records, if not now, then perhaps in the future. Even if you are not an Iowa resident, please be part of the numbers to be heard about how important it is to have these available. Please send an e-mail expressing this desire to: keith_weigel@legis.state.ia.us and betty_soupkup@legis.state.ia.us Iowa needs to keep public access to these records! June in California Illinois has established IRAD, which I don't remember what it means, but has split the state into 6 or 7 areas and has microfilmed most of the old records, these are at the libraries of the major university in the "area" which will cover several counties. I have used them many times, the kids that are working toward being librarians have been wonderful about checking what they have (on the phone) then copying this information and any other they found and sending it along. Last time I used them it was 5 cents a page, but could or should have gone to at least 10. Do we really care if a doc. has a new official stamp on it, I don't. This keeps the people in the court house from having to spend their time looking up old records and they are readily available and faster as a rule. I think Shawn got about 12 marriage records the last time she wrote them. To get the address call the state or any of the universities, they will send you a pamplet with a map of the areas, addresses and costs. I don't have a clue about what Iowa is doing, but IL. is getting a short shrift about something they really haven't done. Love you Maggi (Plus they are putting stuff on line as fast as they can too!