Thought I would throw in an offer to help sort out the records. I live just outside Kosciusko and will be glad to volunteer to help if someone wants to organize a group to go in the attic and straighten out what we can. Gigi

I have followed the discussion of the Attala County records with interest. A number of intriguing and interesting proposals have been put forward as to what could or should be done. The number of people that offered to step forward and assist with funding is encouraging and very generous. It is not my intent to diminish the enthusiasm nor to dampen the "let's get it done" spirit but, there are a few things that all involved in this discussion must keep in mind. As O. D. McElroy pointed out, the records in question are primarily criminal court records, arrest records and matters that principally deal with the not so pleasant side of Attala County in the early years. Now, that is not to say that some genealogical information might not be gleaned from this material, nor do I wish to suggest that these original records do not have value. They do. All historical records, irrespective of the subject matter, have value and should be preserved. But, as Mr. McElroy pointed out, the vast majority of the records, at least those that survived the courthouse fires are maintained in an orderly fashion and are reasonably well maintained. And as he pointed out, many of the Attala County records have been microfilmed and are available through the LDS Family Centers, the Attala County Library or on the Attala County MSGenWeb web site. Could the county do more to protect original records? There is no doubt that they could. And, the condition of the criminal court records is certainly deplorable and inexcusable. So, a concerted effort on the part of the citizenry is certainly in order. And funding to restore and store records will be an issue, for it is most likely the lack of funding that has created the problem in the first place. It is not likely that the library has room for the records in question. Perhaps the historical society might be able to provide some assistance in that regard. Certainly, the historical society has the expertise to determine if grant funding might be available through various federal and state grant programs. They are well experienced in this regard. But, before anyone goes marching into the courthouse with the idea of organizing and removing the records stored there, one must acknowledge that the county government is charged with the responsibility of maintaining and housing the records that are generated in the normal day to day course of business with the county courts. As well intentioned as a group of citizens might be and as worthy as their cause might be, none the less, the records are under the jurisdiction of the county government. No one, no matter how well intentioned, can simply decide that they are going to take charge of the records. And certainly, no one has the authority to remove the records without the knowledge and consent of the county officials. So, it seems that the first order of business is to determine how the county officials will react to any suggestion that they should relinquish control of the records in question. And, if any of you has ever dealt with a governmental agency, you will be prepared for a long drawn out process. The project is obviously going to require individuals in Attala County with local connections and influential friends in high places would certainly be a benefit. If the county agrees, then you can proceed to the next step which is to reclaim the records, organize them and then search for a new home for them where they will be maintained, preserved and accessible. No easy process. But certainly one worthy of attention. Everette Carr

I think all of those who have the resources to donate funds to this cause of preserving the records should write a check to Ann Breedlove, our genealogy librarian in Attala County so that she will have the support she needs to maintain the genealogy room. Maybe she can start a fund in anticipation of launching a project to get these records preserved. And write to the Star Herald as she has suggested. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Everette Carr" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2004 11:01 PM Subject: Re: [MSATTALA] Attala County Records stored in the Attala Courthouse > I have followed the discussion of the Attala County records with interest. > A number of intriguing and interesting proposals have been put forward as to > what could or should be done. The number of people that offered to step > forward and assist with funding is encouraging and very generous. > > It is not my intent to diminish the enthusiasm nor to dampen the "let's get > it done" spirit but, there are a few things that all involved in this > discussion must keep in mind. As O. D. McElroy pointed out, the records in > question are primarily criminal court records, arrest records and matters > that principally deal with the not so pleasant side of Attala County in the > early years. Now, that is not to say that some genealogical information > might not be gleaned from this material, nor do I wish to suggest that these > original records do not have value. They do. All historical records, > irrespective of the subject matter, have value and should be preserved. > But, as Mr. McElroy pointed out, the vast majority of the records, at least > those that survived the courthouse fires are maintained in an orderly > fashion and are reasonably well maintained. And as he pointed out, many of > the Attala County records have been microfilmed and are available through > the LDS Family Centers, the Attala County Library or on the Attala County > MSGenWeb web site. Could the county do more to protect original records? > There is no doubt that they could. And, the condition of the criminal court > records is certainly deplorable and inexcusable. So, a concerted effort on > the part of the citizenry is certainly in order. And funding to restore and > store records will be an issue, for it is most likely the lack of funding > that has created the problem in the first place. > > It is not likely that the library has room for the records in question. > Perhaps the historical society might be able to provide some assistance in > that regard. Certainly, the historical society has the expertise to > determine if grant funding might be available through various federal and > state grant programs. They are well experienced in this regard. > > But, before anyone goes marching into the courthouse with the idea of > organizing and removing the records stored there, one must acknowledge that > the county government is charged with the responsibility of maintaining and > housing the records that are generated in the normal day to day course of > business with the county courts. As well intentioned as a group of citizens > might be and as worthy as their cause might be, none the less, the records > are under the jurisdiction of the county government. No one, no matter how > well intentioned, can simply decide that they are going to take charge of > the records. And certainly, no one has the authority to remove the records > without the knowledge and consent of the county officials. > > So, it seems that the first order of business is to determine how the county > officials will react to any suggestion that they should relinquish control > of the records in question. And, if any of you has ever dealt with a > governmental agency, you will be prepared for a long drawn out process. > > The project is obviously going to require individuals in Attala County with > local connections and influential friends in high places would certainly be > a benefit. If the county agrees, then you can proceed to the next step > which is to reclaim the records, organize them and then search for a new > home for them where they will be maintained, preserved and accessible. > > No easy process. But certainly one worthy of attention. > > Everette Carr > > > > > ==== MSATTALA Mailing List ==== > Have you visited the American Local History Network, Attala County web site yet? You can find it at http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ms/county/attala/ >