My dear fellow genealogists,
I am writing this letter to tell you about a very deplorable condition that
was brought to my attention by one of my researchers on the Huerfano County
List.
After our recent Conference in Huerfano County, researcher Shalane Cruz
wrote to me and told me that the pre-1950 County Tax Rolls, along with other
County documents, were stored in a dank, dark, dirt floored storage area
under the bleachers at the park in Walsenburg. I quickly shot a message back
to her stating "GOOD GRIEF, tell me more".
Upon getting all the facts from Shalane I immediately called the Huerfano
County Commissioners and requested to be put on the Agenda for last
Wednesday's meeting, and was granted a time slot to address the
Commissioners. I called the County Treasurer, Shirley Zubal and was informed
by her that yes, the records were stored there and she was not happy about
it. I then went to the storage area to assess the facts for myself, and have
to admit that I was a little skeptical about the report I had received,
simply because I could not fathom a County storing such vital information in
this manner. But knowing that Shalane is a very diligent and respected
researcher and well known and well liked in our circle I was so afraid that
she was correct in her assessment.
I was able to speak with the janitor of the Community Center and he was more
than happy to show me the room.
Folks, when he opened that door I was hit with the most terrible smell of
mustiness and mold. He told me that the roof leaks and yes they were setting
on the dirt floor. Some of these records had been placed in cardboard boxes
which are now deteriorating and collapsing. I picked up an old leather bound
ledger that was dated 1874 that was laying in the dirt. The records are
covered with dirt and rodent droppings, and smell very damp.
On Wednesday I addressed the County Commissioners about this. Oress
Deherrera seemed, at first to be very negative about my report, and tried to
cut me off several times, although he did say he would personally look into
this. He was quite sarcastic when he said "Oh yes, someone just TOLD you
this." I then informed him that I had spoken to Shirley Zubal, the County
Treasurer and she was well aware that the records were there. She said she
had tried to get the Colorado Historical Society to microfilm the records
but they said the cost would be exorbitant. I had occasion to speak to Mr.
Deherrera later in the day and he had quite changed his tune and was ever so
thankful that I had brought this to their attention. He said they were not
aware that the records were there. He promised me that they would have each
County official, Treasurer, Clerk, and Assessor look into these stored
records to determine if the records are worth keeping.
WORTH KEEPING??? These records are vital to our history!
I went into the Commissioners meeting with 17 letters of support from the
researchers on my Huerfano County List. But it's not enough. These people
have volunteered to enter data into a database so that at least we can save
some of these records instead of all of them being destroyed.
My fear now is that instead of having to deal with these old dirty records
all of the Officials will agree they aren't worth saving, and the records
will be burned. Burning our history, deleting a part of the County records
that researchers everywhere would love to have access to.
I have offered the Commissioners any help I can give them in dealing with
these records, including categorizing, indexing, drying, boxing in Archival
safe containers, etc. Whatever it takes to save these records. Being quite
well versed in the handling of old documents I realize what a gigantic
project it would be to properly handle these records to prevent further
deterioration. I am quite afraid that the next time I contact Mr. Deherrera
I will be told that they have been disposed of.
This is an emergency situation and I need your help NOW. PLEASE advise me on
how to proceed. Contact me here at km1109(a)rmi.net or feel free to call me at
1-719-676-2041.
PLEASE write to :
Huerfano County Commissioners
Huerfano County Courthouse
Walsenburg, Co. 81089
OR CALL
1-719-738-2370, Commissioners Office
OR CALL
1-719-738-5735, Oress Deherrera, Chairman, County Commissioners
PLEASE urge these people to NOT DESTROY these records. I don't want to
attack the local officials, I just want to save the records! If they deem
these records destroyable, please urge them to turn the records over to us
so we can have my staff of volunteers get them into a database. I would be
more than happy to hire a trailer to haul the records out of there and safe
guard them.
If anyone has any advise, suggestions, or further questions, please feel
free to contact me. I need all the help I can get.
Sincerely,
Karen Mitchell
2001 has been declared "The Year of "Love". Pass it on.
km1109(a)rmi.net
US GenWeb Project County Coordinator
Huerfano County Coordinator
http://www.rootsweb.com/~cohuerfa/index.htm
Huerfano County List Owner
COHUERFA-L(a)rootsweb.com
Taos County Coordinator
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nmtaos/index.htm
Taos County List Owner
NMTAOS-L(a)rootsweb.com