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Forwarding on behalf of NGS and FGS:
Please be aware that the National Genealogical Society and
the
Federation
of Genealogical Societies believe strongly that California
State Senate
Bill 1614 on Vital Records Indexes poses a significant
threat to records
access in the state of California. These two national
organizations have
approved and sent the following joint resolution and
petition to the
Senate
Appropriations Committee in California. We encourage you to
contact your
California Senator to defeat this bill.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Joint Resolution and Petition from
The Federation of Genealogical Societies
And
The National Genealogical Society
The Federation of Genealogical Societies with headquarters
in Austin,
Texas, a national and international organization of
societies,
representing
fifty-five genealogical societies in California and over
50,000
genealogists and family historians in that state, and
further
representing
550 societies nationwide with approximately one-half million
genealogists
and family historians being members of those societies, and
The National Genealogical Society with headquarters in
Arlington,
Virginia,
recognized as the leading genealogical society in the United
States and
North America, having approximately ten percent of its
membership in
California, do make the following joint resolution and
petition to the
legislature of the State of California;
Whereas, California State Senate Bill 1614 on Vital Records
Indexes
threatens to reduce the information available in the birth
and death
record
indexes rendering them significantly less useful and/or
limit the use
and
access by genealogical researchers and family historians,
and
Whereas, both organizations consider these records to be
primary to the
pursuit of discovering an individual's heritage and history;
in fact,
central to the human need that answers the yearning deep
inside each of
us
to know who we are and from where we came; and
Essential for the youth of our nation to help develop a
sense of their
cultural heritage and to provide a strong foundation in a
world of
shifting
values; and
For the youth to research their families and learn, for
example, how
their
families overcame hardships in the past which can give them
answers to
some
of the challenges they face today; and that
This curiosity and need crosses cultural and international
boundaries,
in a
way, uniting us as a human family; and
Whereas, both organizations are equally concerned about the
issue of
identity theft and are fully supportive of state and local
leaders
acting
responsibly to protect the rights and property of the people
they are
called to serve,
Do petition the California State legislature to find a
balanced solution
to
the matter of protecting the rights of the citizens of the
great State
of
California from identity theft while still providing
sufficient access
to
the records for the continued use by genealogists and family
historians
for
the legitimate pursuit of tracing ones' heritage and
ancestry.
Further, we believe these two objectives are not mutually
exclusive and
offer the following for your consideration;
According to the First Amendment Coalition, recent studies
confirm that
most identity thefts occur through the literal theft by
friends,
relatives,
fellow workers or strangers, of wallets, purses or mail, or
fraudulent
address changes; and
That many of the county recorders do not have the manpower
or funding to
facilitate the requirements of SB1614 and that the lack of
uniformly
implementing the proposed bill would render it ineffective
for its
intended
purpose; and
That we understand the powerful tool that mother's maiden
name is in
uniquely identifying an individual in a given population;
that the
intersection of two surnames dramatically improves the
statistical
probability above chance that two individuals are the same
person, thus
being an extremely useful tool to genealogists and family
historians to
identify individuals with common surnames within a given
population; and
That this information (particularly mother's maiden name) is
readily
available in open sources, namely newspapers, especially
obituaries,
birth
and marriage announcements, cemetery tombstones, Who's Who
publications,
professional directories and published biographies, and
That corporations such as American Express, use individual
identifiers
other than the mother's maiden name which are not found on
the vital
records indexes, namely the last four digits of the social
security
number
and that due to the open availability of the identity of the
maiden name
of
a person's mother making it readily available for identity
theft, that
banks and other financial institutions be encouraged to
discontinue the
use
of the mother's maiden name as a unique identifier, and
That the State of California consider adopting legislation
which
provides
both a level of adequate security and access by genealogists
and family
historians; and that the legislation from the states of
Arizona and/or
Kentucky may be used as an appropriate model.
This resolution and petition was adopted by the executives
and board of
directors of both the Federation of Genealogical Societies
and the
National
Genealogical Society at the annual meeting of the National
Genealogical
Society held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, dated 18 May 2002.
Submitted on behalf of the Federation of Genealogical
Societies and the
National Genealogical Society by:
Dean J.
Hunter
Curt B. Witcher
President,
President,
Federation of Genealogical Societies National
Genealogical
Society
--
Cal Boyd, KRG, Genealogist,
House of Boyd Society, Inc.
http://www.geocities.com/hob311
[Please sign my guestbook]
http://www.clanboyd.org
Everton Family History Consultant
MAY 17, 2002 - SENATE BILL 1614 UPDATE
While I subscribe the SB1614, since my last report on May
15, 2002, I
have checked the activity daily. As of late last night there
was no
change. This morning I find that the bill has been scheduled
to be heard
before the Appropriations Committee at 9:30 a.m. on Monday,
May 20,
2002.
There are also new amendments. The bill requires the
comprehensive index
of birth and death record indexes be kept confidential. It
will be
available to some government agencies, but the information
is require to
maintain confidentiality. The copies of Indexes sold prior
to 31
December to 3rd parties will require that the information
remain
confidential under penalty of law. It requires the State
Registrar to
establish a separate noncomprehensive electronic indices
which will be
electronically available to county recorders. But the public
may only
view these noncomprehensive indexes at the State or county
on computer
terminals designated for this purpose.
Obviously, between now and 9:30 a.m. on Monday morning
leaves little
time for action. I am going to send my letter of objections
to the
author, the Governor and members of the Appropriation
Committee who have
fax Email numbers available.
The Committee: State Capital Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814
Senator Dede Alpert (Chair), Room 5050; Fax 916-327-2188;
Email
<senator.alpert(a)sen.ca.gov> Senator Jim Battin (Vice Chair),
Room 3024;
Email <jim.Battin(a)sen.ca.gov> Senator Debora Bowen Room
4040; Email
<senator.bowen(a)sen.ca.gov> Senator John Burton, Room 205; no
fax; no
Email Senator Martha Escuta, Room 5080; Fax 916-327-8755
Senator Maurice
Johannessen, Room 5061; Fax 916-445-7750 Senator Ross
Johnson, Room
3063, only in Irvine Office Senator Betty Karnette, Room
5066; Fax
916-641-4395 Senator Bruce McPherson, Room 2054; Email
<senator.mcpherson(a)sen.ca.gov> Senator Kevin Murray, Room
4038; Fax
915-641-4395 Senator Don Perata, Room 4061; Fax 916-286-3885
Senator
Charles Poochigian, Room 5087 Senator Jackie Speier, Room
2032; Fax
916-327-2186; <senator.speier(a)sen.ca.gov>
Governor Gray Davis, Fax 916-445-4633;
<governor(a)governor.ca.gov>
--
Iris Carter Jones
CSGA Legislative Coordinator
--
Cal Boyd, KRG, Genealogist,
Everton Family History Consultant
Hi listers,
Iam trying to find more infromation on Michael Patrick Coffey, bn about
1838/9 in the parish of St. Finbars, Cork, County Cork. Michael was in the
Army in India for about 22 years. I would like to know the correct date of
his birth and who his parents were.
Thanks Shirley
hello-hope this gets to you,i am looking for coffey links,hartford ct,or near
by,my father was william obrien,they tell me he had cousins named coffey,i do
not remember any of them,also curtin,macabe,griffin,mccourt{my grandmothers
mother},father was married to catherine gallagher from sligo ireland. good
luck. bill obrien
> Dear Cosuins,
If you are researching in CA for COFFEY or any other surname
that research is in jeopardy. SB1614 and other bills are poorly,
in my opinion, written laws in an attempt to thwart ID theft but
will completely shut out the honest researcher.
You will not be able to obtain any vital statistics at all if these
bills are passed.
> Subject: Genealogy: SB1614 - Immediate Action Requested
> Date: Tue, 14 May 2002 14:38:19 -0700
> From: Jo Russell
>
> Sheila Benedict, CSGA President & Wendy Elliot, CSGA Past President
> are in Milwaukee attending the National Genealogical Society
> Conference. Barbara Edkin, 1st Vice President sent this message at
> their request.
>
> This is an important issue, and will impact genealogy research in the
> state of CA. Once again, I encourage you to express your opinion. This
> message you also ask your friends and neighbors to express their
> opinion.
>
> Jo Russell
>
> Wendy and Sheila called from Milwaukee asking that I send this out, with
> a request to all RD's (actually, to everyone) to contact people you
> know, both in and out of the genealogical/historical community, and
> request LETTERS (aka snail mail) from individuals be sent your
> legislative member indicating your feelings on the proposed bill, and
> that it be done immediately as time is of the essence. SB 1614
>
> B
>
> Below are excerpts from Iris Jones's Legislative Report:
>
> This morning I received a surprise. Senator Speier's SB1614 was
> scheduled to be heard April 23, 2002, I had sent a letter to her and to
> the members of the Judiciary Committee stating our objections to the
> closing of these indexes. To my surprise today I received word that the
> Committee took action and excepted author's amendment to the bill on
> Monday, April 15, 2002. She had removed all indexes from the bill with
> the exception of the birth records index. I know that there are several
> large factions opposed to the closure of the indexes besides us. So
> apparently, we got her attention. I personally do not feel that the
> birth record indexes should be closed either. I would like feedback from
> members on this issue before I move forward with any additional action.
>
> I also located another bill which should be of great concern to
> researchers. Assembly Member John Campbell's AB2278 which will
> 'prohibit a state agency from releasing specified person information in
> any public document, or in any other document, to any person or entity,
> except the individual for whom the information pertains and to
> other public agencies.' There is no explanation to 'other public
> agencies' listed in the bill. To begin with the bill included
> residential address, residential telephone numbers, mother's maiden
> name, social security number, and place of birth. It has been amended
> to read only 'An individual's mother's maiden name and an individual's
> social security number.' As I see it the result of this erasure of
> mother's maiden names 'from any public document, or any other document'
> would virtually eliminate any avenue to locating the maiden name for any
> future use. What a sad lose that would be to the world of family and
> health history research. I realize that the
> idea the mother's maiden names being available is of some concern to
> people. But, I want to mention that the use of mother's maiden
> names is only one of a half dozen identifiers uses by banks and some
> credit card companies. The knowledge of a person's mother's
> maiden alone, in no way allows for the ease of identity theft. Again I
> would like your input before I move forward with any action. ----Iris
> Carter Jones,
> April 17, 2002.
>
> Our biggest concern is Speier's new SB1614. From the Legislative
> Counsel's Digest: 'Existing law, the California Public Records Act,
> requires state and local agencies to make records that are not otherwise
> exempt from disclosure available to the public upon receipt of a request
> that reasonably describes an identifiable record, and upon payment of
> fees to cover costs. Existing law requires any agency
> that has information that constitutes an identifiable public record not
> otherwise exempt from disclosure that is in an electronic format to make
> that information available in an electronic format when requested by any
> person, except under specified circumstances. This bill would provide
> that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a state or local
> agency may not disclose an index or comprehensive compilation of birth
> records, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and marriage
> nullity decrees, death certificates, or instruments affecting the title
> to real property to any person for a commercial purpose [not yet
> described in the wording of this bill], unless the person of record has
> provided his or her written consent for the information to be released
> in this format. This bill would also require a state or local agency to
> revise the forms used to collect the information contained in these
> documents to comply with these provisions.'
>
> As another opposition group stated, "It would create an 'opt-in' system
> to allow individuals to consent to the use of their records for
> commercial purposes. . . . which begs the question: 'Do criminals
> engaged in identity theft request records for a commercial purpose?'"
>
> I assure you that it will eliminate all Internet Indexes for
> historically important records. It also could totally close public
> access to any index held by city, county or state agencies. The bill was
> scheduled to be heard April 9, 2002 before the Senate Judiciary
> Committee. I prepared a statement of opposition and sent it to the
> Senator as well as to all the members of the Judiciary Committee last
> week. I was notified that the Senator had canceled the April 9, 2002
> hearing and it has now been scheduled to be heard April 23, 2002. There
> is opposition from many other organizations like ours. Why should the
> public lose the right to legitimately use these indexes on the off
> chance closing them might deter identity thieves? My statement also
> pointed out the fact that the genealogy community had volunteered
> thousands of hours working with city, county, and state agencies to help
> develop such indexes. If you have comments or input, I would welcome
> hearing from you. I assure you we are following this and will keep you
> informed.
>
> If you wish to follow State Legislation you may check the State Web site
> at http://www.sen.ca.gov> or order copies from the Bill Room, State
> Capital, Sacramento, CA 95814 or call to order 916-445-2323. To be added
> to my Network, send your name, name of your organization, and e-mail
> address, stating you wish to be added to the Legislative Network, to
> <ijones(a)accessbee.com>.---6 April 2002, CSGA Legislative Network
> Coordinator, Iris Carter Jones. Permission is granted to reprint
> Legislative reports. Please
>
>
--
Cal Boyd, KRG, Genealogist,
House of Boyd Society, Inc.
Everton Family History Consultant
If you are not receiving mail from the list make sure
you are using the right address.
To subscribe and unsubscribe from the list use:
coffey-L-request(a)rootsweb.com
or
coffey-D-request(a)rootsweb.com
To send messages to the list use:
coffey-L(a)rootsweb.com
The L and D do not have to be capitalized. I did
that for clarity.
If you still have problems receiving mail from the list
contact your list administrator.
--
Cal Boyd, KRG, Genealogist,
Everton Family History Consultant
Join the Family History Network today.
My Coffeys were from the Ballinasloe area of Galway. Have not been able to
find any trace of them either that side of the pond or this side USA. My
grandfather was Patrick he did have at least one sister Bessie (Elizabeth)
that married a Robert Anderson in Cleveland Oh. I found her death notice. I
did see a few Coffey's born in Ireland on the Cleveland census. My Dad had a
photo album of pictures from Cleveland in the 1920's-30's but no names. If
this family seems familar please let me know. Thanks,Ann
Dear Coffey Cousins,
I was asked a few questions off list about the
Coffey arms I have pictured on my website.
I felt my answers would be of interest to
others.
what does it stand for?
Why the three cups?
What do the colors mean?
Why is it divided by the flur-de-lee?
The coat of arms shown in the picture were
granted to an unknown COFFEY at sometime
in the past. There is no such thing as a "family"
coat of arms. Arms are granted only to individuals.
Only the arms of the Chief of the clan can be passed
to his successor without change. ALL others MUST
show something different on their arms.
Generally there is no meaning to colors except for
white and yellow. These are not colors but metals
silver and gold respectively and neither do they have
any special meaning.
Furs
Black on an arms usually represents the fur sable.
What you call "flur de lee" is actually white ermine
with black ermine tails.
Fur may or may not be an indication of royalty or
wealth.
As for the overall design - a green field, a fesse [ across
the center ] ermine between three cups gold - This
is what the grantor and the grantee have determined
to be unique from all other arms in existence at the
time of matriculation.
Since the description does not specify what the gold
cups should look like a heraldric artist has license to
draw them any way he likes as long as it does not
conflict with a design that DOES specify what the
cups should look like. What I have seen most of the
time is the double-handled trophy cup.
If you can determine to whom these arms were granted
AND you can prove your lineage to that person you
can have your own arms granted. However, this can
be a very expensive endeavor. Over $2000 just to have
your arms matriculated [ registered ].
--
Cal Boyd, Genealogist, House of Boyd Society, Inc.
http://www.geocities.com/hob311http://www.clanboyd.org
Everton Family History Consultant
An Old Genealogy Scam Reappears
There is a Web site that sends out unsolicited e-mails
offering to give you access to
the worlds largest genealogy database for only $44.95. At
first, that might sound like
a good deal. However, the e-mails don't mention the source
of this "world's largest"
genealogy database. It is the Internet and is free to
everyone -- except for the gullible
folks who fall for these e-mails.
What the e-mails do not tell you is that your money only
buys you access to a list of
links. These links on the Web site present the other sites
inside HTML frames,
making it look like the other sites are a part of original
sites "service." They do this
without telling you that the contents are not created by
them, but actually are the
intellectual property of the originators.
FamilyDiscovery.com was one source of these misleading
e-mails. The site was in
business for a year or so and gained notoriety within the
genealogy community.
Their Web site disappeared recently, apparently being shut
down by the Internet
service provider that hosted the online "service" after
complaints by many users.
However, a new Web site has recently appeared, operating a
site that looks like
FamilyDiscovery.com but under a different name. It appears
that the owner of the
new Web site is the same person who owned the earlier one.
The new Web site is
Genealogy-Developments.com.
The new Web site proclaims that you can "Search Over 23
Billion Genealogy
Records Right From This Website." That claim is absolutely
correct. Of course, you
can search the same 23 billion records without going to that
Web site and without
paying $44.95. If you read the fine print at
http://www.genealogy-developments.com/faqs.html , you will
note that it says, "We
do not offer access to a database of records but we do offer
the ability to search
billions of online records spanned across the Internet." The
reality is that you can find
all those links, and more, elsewhere on the Web. I suspect
that most of them are
available on Cyndis List at http://www.cyndislist.com . Of
course, Cyndis List is free
of charge.
There are a couple of "watchdog sites" that watch for Web
sites like
FamilyDiscovery.com and Genealogy-Developments.com. The
International
Blacksheep Society of Genealogists maintains a "Genealogy
Hall of Shame" at:
http://blacksheep.rootsweb.com/familydiscovery.htm . The
Watchdog Committee
maintains the "Genealogical Web Site Watchdog" at:
http://www.ancestordetective.com/watchdog.htm . You might
also want to check
Cyndis List at:
http://www.cyndislist.com/myths.htm#Consumer . If you ever
have a
question about an online genealogy "service," Id suggest
that you check these sites
before spending any money.
You can also check some of my past articles about genealogy
scams, both online
and off, at:
http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/columns/eastman/3538.asp
and at
http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/columns/eastman/4251.asp
.
--
Cal
________________________________________________________________
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Dear Cousins,
I just found out that Geocities will be down for maintenance
from 9pm PST [12am EST] until Sunday morning.
All free websites which includes mine will be down during
this time.
Cal
________________________________________________________________
GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.
Dear Coffey Cousins,
Please visit:
http://www.geocities.com/hob311/coffey.jpg
To see the Coffey arms that a friend of mine in Clan Cian
made for me.
The lighting was not the greatest when I took the picture this morning.
The green is much brighter than shown. This is not painted. He uses
reflective film and it is hard to get a picture of these shields without
them looking like road signs at night.
If you would like more information please contact me privately
at:
deanroad(a)mindspring.com
Cal
________________________________________________________________
GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.