Group, I have been trying to keep an eye on this issue. This could effect us all in reseaching on Kentucky records. If you can, send an email to your Kentucky State Senator and ask them to vote no on this. This bill has already passed the House. Thanks, Vicki ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jo Thiessen" <jog1@ix.netcom.com> To: <KY-DAR-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2002 8:35 AM Subject: [KY-DAR] URGENT > > > Bad news! Ky. vital records > > > The Kentucky Legislature is about to make some changes to the > law concerning birth and death records in Kentucky making it harder > to get copies. The only ones who can get a copy will be yourself, > immediate family member, or authorized representative, i.e.. lawyer, > doctor, funeral director. > > The biggest change is that the new law eliminates the INDEX for births > and deaths. No part of the record may be obtained unless you can > meet the criteria for obtaining a copy.The index will no longer be > available online, on CD or in libraries. > > There is a provision for genealogists to get copies of births after > 100 years and deaths after the person has been deceased for 50 > years. If the person is still living, you must get permission from > that person to obtain the certificate. What about someone who > died in say, 1956? How will you get permission to receive a copy? > > House Bill HB 523 is currently in the Judiciary Committee. It will > be voted on in the Kentucky Senate within a few days, perhaps as > early as tomorrow. PLEASE, send a message to the Senators > from Kentucky telling them how much we rely on these records > for genealogical research. Genealogical tourism, including money > spent for copies at the Office of Vital Statistics, Historical > Societies, and Archives in Kentucky will be affected by this change. > Money talks especially in these days of budget shortfalls. > > The email addresses for Kentucky State Senators can be found > at this link: > http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/Senate/senadd.htm > > > Please go to your rep. or Senator at the above address and tell them to stop > this... > Lynda > > > > > > ==== KY-DAR Mailing List ==== > For questions regarding this mail list, or changes in your e-mail address contact the moderator, Jo Thiessen, > jog1@ix.netcom.com >