I'm forwarding this on. I sent an email to the Governor requesting it not to be signed. If any of you have to do research in WV, I suggest you do the same. Thanks Roger Stull -----Original Message----- From: Jane [mailto:sweetladyj@adelphia.net] Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2004 12:23 AM To: WVMINGO-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [WVMINGO] House Bill 4330 - concerning birth records Hi, I received this email from a list that I am on in WV. I thought everyone would want to know what is happening in one of our states that could cause genealogists problems. Last Saturday, March 13, in the WV Legislature,House Bill 4330 passed. It is now awaiting signature from Governor Wise to make it law. If you are a family genealogist/historian whose research involves West Virginia, then this bill affects your work whether you live in West Virginia or another state. If Governor Wise signs HB 4330, all birth records will be closed to public access for 100 years and all death records closed for 50 years. We are all concerned about privacy issues but HB 4330 in its current format is too restrictive. Please email Governor Wise and address your concerns. Don't delay. The governor's email address is Governor@WVGOV.org If you would like to examine HB 4330 then cut and paste the URL below. Remember to sign your email with your full name and address. http://www.legis.state.wv.us/legishp.html Jane ============================== Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237