Hi, Paul, I would think the Historical Society would have the pull to get the county to allow access to these papers. If the papers truly are scheduled to be filmed by the Library of VA, though, will the Society be willing or even able to step in ? If that turns out to be the case, then perhaps the curator at the Library could tell you if and when these papers are expected to be filmed. The lack of interest by the county in doing anything with these papers doesn't surprise me. There are other, even worse, stories of long neglected records being stored in old untended buildings, etc. and no one allowed access to them, despite the best efforts of local historians. At least these papers are in boxes in the courthouse and the condition of them is known to be good. I, like others on the list with ancestors in Surry Co, appreciate your efforts on our behalf. And if all goes well and the time comes to raise the necessary funds for this project, let me know. I'll be happy to contribute. Teresa Shands hostess: http://gennetwork.org ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Drake <martee@citlink.net> To: <VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, August 05, 2001 2:07 PM Subject: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Loose Papers of Surry. Messrs. and Ladies of the Surry Historical Society: As an early VA researcher for now 50 years, I and many like me know full well that societies such as yours/ours have precious little money or time for projects such as gaining photos/film of the Loose Papers of Surry in order that someone might abstract those for the benefit of all, especially those many, many of us who live at a great distance. We are as proud of our heritage there as are those of you who are more nearby, yet we have had NO opportunity to examine and search the Loose Papers throughout the long terms of Mr. and Mrs. Emmerson. Their protection of that heritage from wear and tear and thievery was admirable, however that very need made our studies impossible. Now, with the I-net and the fine web-sites of Eve and others at our disposal, I suggest that we can raise some measure of funds for that purpose. Being unable to travel to VA to assist with that physical task, I would be happy to spend some time in a fund-raising efforts for that purpose. As I see it, we would need a) the permission of the needed authorities and of your officers, b) an appointment by your Society of a trusted soul to receive such funds and receipt those as "tax deductible" donations, c) a formal resolution or declaration by your group that such funds as are ear-marked by the donors for that purpose will be spent for only that purpose, d) we, your public, be permitted some ongoing input re who will do the photography and who the abstracting, and d) that you make widely known your support of the project. By way of suggestion only, we surely would hope that consideration be given to Steve and Yvonne in the photgraphy effort and to Ms. Weynette Haun as that person to do the abstracting from those films. In association with their efforts, we surely would encourage your powers-that-be to consider permitting those parties do so for whatever financial reward they might personally glean from their efforts, if any. Again, I would enjoy undertaking to raise some portion of the money for the project and in return want neither benefit nor recognition of any sort for whatever I might do. Incidentally, keep up the good work with the newsletter. May we all hear from you, please. Finally, is there an email address for the Society? Respectfully, Paul Drake, JD (from TN) ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== VAGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~vagenweb ============================== Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp