I agree, also. It is such a shame to have such valuable records seemingly
tossed aside. Surely the County could come up with a better situation -
just don't know who at the County could make it happen.
I have been there searching marriage records - and being small and not too
strong - it is a real effort to get the books down and heave them back up to
a top shelve. I have managed to hurt myself while doing it.
Hopefully there will be some changes.
Karen Phillips
-----Original Message-----
From: injeffer-bounces(a)rootsweb.com [mailto:injeffer-bounces@rootsweb.com]
On Behalf Of KFurBallKell(a)aol.com
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2008 6:05 PM
To: injeffer(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: Re: [INJEFFER] The New courthouse and research facilities
I completely agree with Bob's assessment-I was there researching last month
and most of the books are almost impossible to access. The bulk of the
marriage books were actually in the area where the clerks are trying to
work, the
space between the counter and the books was about 3 ft. wide, when they
were
busy you had to wedge yourself behind customers in the office to get to the
books. I managed to be in the middle of the process of a jail inmate trying
to
get a marriage license, complete with armed jail guard. You can take the
books to tables out in the hall but it is getting to them with out being in
the
way of business that is a problem. The office where they are stored was
closed
again this year during elections because the voting machines were stored
there.
Twice when I asked about books I was told they did not know where they
were.
The index showed what I was looking for was in book such and such but no
access to that book.
The County Clerk did say she would like to improve the situation, Is there
anyone from the area Historical Society or Library who could intervene and
try
to help.
Sheila Kell
In a message dated 10/12/2008 5:45:49 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
bobwscott(a)aol.com writes
For those who have not been to the Jefferson County courthouse since the
addition of new offices and realignment of some space in the Old
courthouse, I'd
like to give a report.
Marriages and will books have been left in a small room next to the circuit
court clerk's office. I do not know if this office is closed before and
after
elections, as had been the practice for many years.
However, the handling of other records has been a step back. No provision
was made for housing court records in a way that they are easily
accessible.
Probate records, civil and criminal court records have all been placed in
the basement and there is no plan to relocate them. They are accessible for
research only on request. Because there are records in the basement that
are
required to be kept confidential by law, I had to get an employee from the
circuit court office who willing to sit in the basement while I was
researching.
I have been disappointed that a county that places so much emphasis on
history failed in this instance
Bob Scott
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