The problem of loose papers at Virginia County Court Houses is widespread and exists in almost all counties. The problem in allowing research access is the threat to the basic document. They are in most cases folded with a string holding them intact. If they are brought out and attempted to be opened the documents will break apart and be ruined. The real issue is not microfilming but is document preservation and can only be done by a team trained in proper techniques with adequate equipment. The responsibility for the preservation of these important documents rests with the Library of Virginia. They have already microfilmed many of these loose paper collections and has a department trained to conduct this type of document preservation. You can verify whether the material has been microfilmed by visiting the LOV web page and check their on line catalog of county records. One of the top experts in Virginia on this issue is Barry McGhee, the host of the USGENWEB page for Spotslyvania County. He is the leader of a foundation that received State funding and conducts preservation of Court documents. He has abstracted the loose papers and placed them on his web page. Similar projects are being done in King George County and has been started in Westmoreland County. If there is an interest in bringing these valuable documents into public domain I would recommend strongly that the Library of Virginia be contacted for assistance and/or guidance. By the way, it is a very expense project and has been funded by the State of Virginia. I doubt you will collect enough money from a box to even begin the operation. -----Original Message----- From: Karen S. Smith <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Tuesday, July 20, 1999 6:15 AM Subject: Re: Lack of funds for m'filming at Shenandoah Co Courthouse >Alley, > >Do you know if they have considered asking the LDS to come and film the >records. If they were to have them do the filming it wouldn't cost them >anything and they would get free copies of the microfilm (I think). > >> >>Someone suggested to me in email that we have a collection box at the CH for >>donations for m'filming. I thought that was an excellent idea so wrote to >>Mary Ann Williamson. There will be a collection box in the CH. Also, if >>anyone desires to contribute to this fund with a check, the info from Mary >>Ann follows below concerning address, etc. >> > > >Karen > > >==== SHENANDOAH Mailing List ==== >Your support of RootsWeb helps make SHENANDOAH-L possible. > RootsWeb Gen. Data Coop. Box 6798 Frazier Park, CA 93222 > http://www.rootsweb.com/rootsweb/how-to-subscribe.html > >