Hi, Thought I'd add my 2 cents in after thinking about this issue most of the weekend. CD shelf life - At this point, I don't know what the shelf life of a CD is. Obviously if toddlers are given CD's they will not last long. If they are stored in hot dusty attics, they won't last long. If they are taken care of and have normal use, they will last for a long time. I do know there is a difference in preserving records and recording them so that they may be used for viewing purposes. In technical terms, putting the info on CD will not preserve it as it won't be in the same format as the original. This only makes the information "usable". What happens to the originals is up to the county, whether they give them to Ohio Historical or they toss them back into the attic is to be foreseen. It's anybody's guess what will actually happen to the originals right now. Status of the attic - It's a mess. The very last I heard pigeons had got in and did their pigeon thing all over the whole mess and everyone knows what kind of health hazards are involved with pigeon poop. As for the county, in this current society where everyone sues everyone for everything, I cannot blame them for not allowing people in the attic to dig around in this. It's a health issue and a liability for them also. Understand they are just trying to keep from being sued in the future. Bob is a great guy and I've talked with him several times about the attic issue. He is in contact with the appropriate persons regarding this. Let me do say that if the commissioners don't decide to lay out money and attention on this issue, then it's not going to be done. Bob can keep letting them know that people are interested in the attic mess and make suggestions but where politics is involved.... Courthouse workers - I've never had any problem with anyone working at the courthouse, in fact, they've gone out of their way to be helpful to me and have done things that I'm sure they don't have to do. I don't feel this is because I am a local person. I only know just one or 2 people working there at the moment and times before this, I didn't know anyone. I've been present when the gals have had to answer phone questions from genealogists (not that I eavesdrop on conversations, but you can't help but hear when you're standing right in front of them at the counter) and I've seen them personally working on letters people have written. Personally, I don't have any problems at the courthouse. As for anyone who might come in and be demanding or rude, maybe you should try to treat people like you like to be treated yourself. Honey catches more flies than vinegar. I would hate to think that the gals would complain to the higher ups about rude genealogists and then the higher ups might restrict research hours or research done by the ladies who work there. In a nutshell, I'm grateful for what is available, as it could always get worse. How the mess got started to begin with - it's anyone's guess. It's not the time or the place to point fingers and say any certain person is responsible. They're not. It's been the doing over years and years and years and no one person or group is responsible for the mess. Remember the courthouse has been on fire twice and I know one of the times it was the attic so keep that in mind too. At this point in time I am willing to let the county see if they like the proposal from the CD people and see what they think would be the next step. I will keep in touch with Bob Walton and with appropriate authorities. I will try to keep abreast of the issues and keep them posted to the list so that if at some point in time there needs to be a workgroup gathered to work on the issue, then we can be informed and make plans to help. I am glad to see that people are concerned with this issue, it's important to all of us. Sometimes in a small town, your hands are just tied and we try to do the best we can do. My opinions do not reflect those of my employer, the genealogy society, or any public official. They are mine and mine only and I do not intend to offend or upset anyone. I am simply stating what I've seen and what I've been in contact with. Happy hunting, Karen