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