Several days ago I sent message starting out like this --
I sent a letter to the Spencer County courthouse asking for some
marriage
records sevral months ago. They apparently forwarded it to an independant
researcher.
Because of the statement that followed mentioning about genealogical
research, half of the answers thought that they were asking for genealogical
research -- this was NOT the case and NOT what the problem seems to be.
Let me rephrase the way I ask my question. I had received 2 messages (since
then over a dozen) mentioning that some of the courthouses are not even
giving copies or xeroxes of a specific birth, death, marriage, etc. when the
information (exactly) is given to them -- for instance if I asked for a
xerox of marriage for Anna Smith and Virgil C. Sandage, Apr 9, 1942 in
Gibson Co, IN and that the county is then giving this over to an independent
person or contractor (who charges between $10 and $40 hr with minimum of $10
plus xerox fees, postage and handling). (so far I have had over 40 saying
YES this is occurring and the $$ figures I quoted came from them just for a
simple xerox copy -- even if you say it was in Marriage books at Health
Dept, vol 3 pg 310).
THAT is what I am trying to figure out -- is this becoming a common thing
among the courthouses? This is NOT genealogical research per se but is
xeroxing public domain vital records. I always understood that THIS is what
these people are there for and for which the tax dollars are being paid.
I have been doing genealogical research for 37 years and the MOST I ever had
to pay for a xerox of this kind was $2 (to cover the one xerox, their time,
and postage, envelope, etc.
Another concern is the number of courthouses or departments in courthouses
that seem to NOT EVEN ALLOW looking at the records (I could understand if
they used the US' rules of anything after 1920 to today, but before that
time and dates in 1700's and 1800's I can't understand). Several mentioned
that some records you can look at, but "down the hall" the other type of
records you are denied access completely. Even mentioning the freedom of
information act and other legal rules (even ones from their particular
states) appears not to budge these clerks at all.
I am just wondering and concerned about this problem (especially in the
Indiana counties where I support 3 county USGenWeb Project webpages) as well
as wondering if these clerks are REALLY giving this to the county or are
they just pocketing the money for themselves (or a kick-back for themselves
by using these independents and contractors),
Judy M.