Sharon, and All,
Your collective voice can make a big difference whether you are an Indiana
resident or not. Genealogy, and genealogy-related tourism has slowly come
to be recognized as a major revenue-generator by more and more states. By
writing to the address Sharon has provided, you can make a difference,
wherever you live. Simply tell them that although you live outside Indiana,
you plan your vacations in part by what you can learn about your ancestry,
and mention the money you typically spend on motels, food, and souvenirs.
One very important piece of cemetery protection legislation in Kentucky was
largely influenced by those of us living outside the state because we all
got together and mentioned the money we spend on genealogy, and how
travelling to areas where our ancestor's legacies were protected and
available made a big difference in the trips we plan. No reason Indiana
politicians would react very diffrently.
So, if you have Indiana ancestors, voice your feelings. Politicians may not
be genealogists, but they are all very receptive to generating tourism in
any way they can, as it translates into more state revenue.
Cordially,
Bryce Stevens
: My apologies to listers from out of state. Please hit your delete
: button. For listers who live and research in Indiana, there is a golden
: opportunity to increase our access to public records and to expand on a
: patron-friendly atmosphere that exists at the Indiana State Archives.
:
: For several years Dr Alan January, State Archivist, has been Co-Director
of
: the Indiana Commission on Public Records (ICPR) with Connie Hume and Judge
: John Newman. The ICPR is the agency which creates and/or distributes
state
: forms and documents. The State Archives has been part of this agency for
a
: number of years.
:
: Governor-Elect Mitch Daniels will select his candidate for ICPR
: Director. As a long-time volunteer at the State Archives, I feel
: comfortable suggesting to you that you consider an email to Governor-Elect
: Mitch Daniel's website on behalf of Alan January's candidacy.
:
: That website is:
:
: http:///www.mygovmitch.com/nominate.asp
:
: Besides including your personal information, you will need to include the
: following:
:
: Dr Alan January
: 5638 N Delaware St
: Indianapolis IN
: 46220-3018
: 317-253-4071
: ajanx2(a)excite.com
:
: Under Dr. January's leadership the volunteer program has grown from a
: handful to more than 40 volunteers working to make Indiana records
: available to Hoosier researchers. Several databases have been made
: available on-line, and I believe several more would be on-line quickly
: under Dr January's leadership. Researchers could request copies of
: documents the existence of which is currently unknown to them. The State
: Archives has vast collections to pique the interest of many. I
sincerely
: believe much progress would be made if Dr January were Director of the
ICPR
:
: In a day when access to many vital records is being legislated away, let's
: take a positive step toward disclosure of public records to which we can
: have access.
:
: Sharon Mills
: Morgan County Indiana
: mills(a)rnetinc.net