A sad state, indeed. I have great affection for Attala County, since my Stuckey, England and Boyett ancestors lived there for many generations. I don't know about funds for such a project, but in other counties where I have done research, these old records have been microfilmed and placed in the local library. Kosciusko has a very good library and it might be possible to find room for microfilm of these records. Finding someone or some entity who would do the work at an affordable price will probably be difficult, but it has been done in other places. I'll do my share in funding such a project. Martha Boggs Abilene, TX -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, May 03, 2004 11:21 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [MSATTALA] Attala Records Rapidly Being Lost I went to the Courthouse in Kosciusko today in search of some police court records dating from about 1900. The specific records that I was seeking, if they are yet extant, are to be found in the attic above the main court chambers. Alas, this area is not only unlit and gloomy but there is ample evidence to suggest it is also home to many rats and pigeons. To further discourage researchers the records are scattered and in no discernible order. I have been searching through the records available at the Courthouse and in the Chancery Clerk's office for many years, so I was not surprised to see the sad state in which these records repose. Still, I can't help but wonder if there is not something that can be done to preserve these old records of our ancestors. I wish there was someone to blame. We could then rise up in righteous indignation and acting collectively we could perhaps bring about a change. Unfortunately, there is not anyone we can point to as the culprit. The public officials that I have met have been uniformly helpful and courteous. They seem as unhappy about this situation as I am. Like me, they are not eager to rummage through records that are not only crumbling but which, given the bird droppings, have come to pose a health concern. There is always the tendency to ask who is to blame when very often the better question is what's to blame. Many problems simply result from a flawed system. I think this is such an instance. As we live in an era in which the national government is often the court of first resort, perhaps it is possible that federal funds could be obtained for a preservation effort. Given the tenor of the times, it may be that we could make the case that funds should be allocated to remove the ledgers and records because of the threat they pose to the poor pigeons. I suspect we could also prove the indigenous rats are being seriously inconvenienced by the presence of such thick books. Thus framed, I feel sure the government would not only encourage our efforts but would probably mandate them. Anyone have a better idea? Or should we just resign ourselves to the inevitable loss of this part of our heritage? Edward Hutchison Madison, MS Attala County Genealogy ==== MSATTALA Mailing List ==== Have you visited the Attala Historical Society web site? The URL is http://www.rootsweb.com/~msahs/ Now would be a good time to support the Attala Historical Society!

Hi All, I spoke with Ann at the local library. She said that she was unaware of any grant program that might cover microfilming the records. She added that there might be one but she was unaware of it. She suggested letters to our local newspaper to the editor showing concern for the state of the records. Also, for the state of some of the cemeteries located in the county that have been allowed to deteriorate. Also, I learned from my conversation with her that the local Genealogy room at the library is funded by donation. I was unaware of this but I feel that those of us who use it should contribute something no matter how small to helping keep it going. She said that her space was very limited but that she would be glad to take any records that would fit in her space. Gigi ----- Original Message ----- From: Martha Boggs<mailto:[email protected]> To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Monday, May 03, 2004 11:42 PM Subject: RE: [MSATTALA] Attala Records Rapidly Being Lost A sad state, indeed. I have great affection for Attala County, since my Stuckey, England and Boyett ancestors lived there for many generations. I don't know about funds for such a project, but in other counties where I have done research, these old records have been microfilmed and placed in the local library. Kosciusko has a very good library and it might be possible to find room for microfilm of these records. Finding someone or some entity who would do the work at an affordable price will probably be difficult, but it has been done in other places. I'll do my share in funding such a project. Martha Boggs Abilene, TX -----Original Message----- From: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, May 03, 2004 11:21 PM To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Subject: [MSATTALA] Attala Records Rapidly Being Lost I went to the Courthouse in Kosciusko today in search of some police court records dating from about 1900. The specific records that I was seeking, if they are yet extant, are to be found in the attic above the main court chambers. Alas, this area is not only unlit and gloomy but there is ample evidence to suggest it is also home to many rats and pigeons. To further discourage researchers the records are scattered and in no discernible order. I have been searching through the records available at the Courthouse and in the Chancery Clerk's office for many years, so I was not surprised to see the sad state in which these records repose. Still, I can't help but wonder if there is not something that can be done to preserve these old records of our ancestors. I wish there was someone to blame. We could then rise up in righteous indignation and acting collectively we could perhaps bring about a change. Unfortunately, there is not anyone we can point to as the culprit. The public officials that I have met have been uniformly helpful and courteous. They seem as unhappy about this situation as I am. Like me, they are not eager to rummage through records that are not only crumbling but which, given the bird droppings, have come to pose a health concern. There is always the tendency to ask who is to blame when very often the better question is what's to blame. Many problems simply result from a flawed system. I think this is such an instance. As we live in an era in which the national government is often the court of first resort, perhaps it is possible that federal funds could be obtained for a preservation effort. Given the tenor of the times, it may be that we could make the case that funds should be allocated to remove the ledgers and records because of the threat they pose to the poor pigeons. I suspect we could also prove the indigenous rats are being seriously inconvenienced by the presence of such thick books. Thus framed, I feel sure the government would not only encourage our efforts but would probably mandate them. Anyone have a better idea? Or should we just resign ourselves to the inevitable loss of this part of our heritage? Edward Hutchison Madison, MS Attala County Genealogy ==== MSATTALA Mailing List ==== Have you visited the Attala Historical Society web site? The URL is http://www.rootsweb.com/~msahs/<http://www.rootsweb.com/~msahs/> Now would be a good time to support the Attala Historical Society! ==== MSATTALA Mailing List ==== Were you aware that a portion of the Diary of Judge Jason Niles is available online at the Attala County American Local History Network site? Just click on the link http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ms/county/attala/jasonniles.htm/<http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ms/county/attala/jasonniles.htm/>