Before sending off money to some unproven outfit to rescue damaged repositories, I highly recommend you contact your State Genealogical Society (see the Redbook, which may be a reference book at your public library) to see what coordinated and well-planned efforts are being made to help these repositories hurt in the Katrina hurricane damage area. In a speech at the Federation of Genealolgical Societies now meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, there was information that archivists and librarians, banding together in an umbrella organization, are making plans to help. However, at this time, efforts by helpers from all over the country are being stymied by the massive lack of coordination in this damaged area of our country. I believe this announcement at FGS conference was made by the representative of the National Archives who is attending this conference. As one lady from a charitable organization reminded many of us this crisis is going to last MANY months. Please do NOT rush to send your money to an untried organization. Those of you who have worked in volunteer organizations know how disorganized things can get without adequate planning and designated man and woman power!!! (Been there, done that.) Consider your donations carefully--get some coordination. E.W.Wallace a concerned genealogist (but a careful one--most of the time)