Attala Researchers: The following message was received from Diane Williamson who is not a mail list subscriber. She apparently picked up the discussion from the postings to the web site. Everette Carr ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2004 8:23 PM Subject: {not a subscriber} Attala County Records Dear Friends in the Attala County area, I made my first trip to Attala and Carroll Counties last year for genealogical research, traveling from Huntsville, Alabama. I am very pleased that so many have taken interest in preserving the old records. I can see the time coming when officials won't see the need to keep old paper records at all if the information is microfilmed. If I might, I'd like to put in my "two cents' worth", having some experience with organizing community projects and human relations. An organized, diplomatic, strategic approach is called for-----the key words being "organized" and "diplomatic". The project could get off to a bad start if individuals independently and haphazardly approach county officials about this issue, or some reporter do an "expose". It would take only one over-zealous person or "loose cannon" to shoot the project in the foot before it even got through the door. Along these lines, publicly addressing the problem (i.e. letters to the editor, etc) might be premature at this stage...running the risk of some unforeseen negative impact. Public attention to the records' attic room might encourage curiosity-seekers and increased traffic to the attic area. Maybe even "scalawags" with a notion of removing a few to put up for sale on Ebay---you never know. Public attention at this time could inadvertently solicit public comments or complaints which are perceived by county officials as criticism. It goes without saying that it's important that no toes be stepped on or that county staff feel put-upon, even though the records are the county's responsibility. Hopefully, some brave, local soul (the should of a genealogist, I hope) will step up to the plate and make their mark in history by organizing an ad hoc committee to work with the records' office staff. This committee could make a short-term plan to address the immediate issue...which is to stop the deterioration of the records as quickly as possible. Working with a relocation plan could take a long time, and may never come to pass. In fact, the idea of turning the records over to another entity could be threatening to county officials now. Although it may appear the county has no concern for the records, any mention of relocation request could still be met with resistance (control and authority issues). For diplomacy's sake, and to address the urgency of the situation, I suggest tabling the relocation idea for now. Instead, focus on immediate improvement of the conditions where the records are now located, before more is lost. The proposed committee might ask permission organize an attic clean-up, including the records sorted and stored as safely as possible in the attic. (I have not been there, so I don't know what the possibilities are.) If file cabinets are needed, local businesses or groups might donate used metal cabinets for temporary (or permanent, if necessary) storage. These things would need to be done regardless of whether or not the records are relocated to another entity. When the records are better protected in the attic, a longer-term plan can be pursued. The idea of relocation might be better received if the group has first demonstrated to county officials a committment to and respect for these old records. Should this "clean-up" take place, it might be good to document it, start to finish, with a good bit of video. Afterward, have the the video edited to make a nice little "documentary" for posterity's sake. If relocating the records is still desirable and funds are needed, the video can be used as part of fund-raising efforts. At minimum, the video might even be useful for motivational purposes or loaned to other historical clubs for programs at meetings... My last suggestion is: If it turns out that later relocation of the records is warranted and approved, send the video to a certain very successful, beloved, and wealthy celebrity of African-American descent from the Kosciusko area. Relocating the records might be something she would help fund. Not build a building, of course, but perhaps remodel a room somewhere to accommodate the records (is remodeling the attic a possibility?). At the very least, she might provide fire-proof filing cabinets, which is no small chunk of change. Last time I priced them, I believe they were around $800-1000 apiece. But my hunch is that she would like to see some local efforts first. That's my two cents' worth. Maybe it will inspire more and better ideas. Dianne BLAIN Williamson Hazel Green, AL. .