While I and others respect your position; you only have to review the
"copies" of deeds currently being processed to have grave concern about the
quality of the preservation. Poor microfilming, even under today's standards
occur. I realize that we can't keep everything, but wills hold a very dear
place in the hearts of most genealogists and I don't think you are going to
convince them that they shouldn't be retained. Is the Library willing to
(and able) to take the originals after filming?

Barbara


Would you be interested in doing a "From the  Archives" regarding the
Library's role in records retention--on a very basic level. I've read some
of the actual "rules and regulations."

Barbara


----- Original Message -----
From: Conley Edwards <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2003 4:00 PM
Subject: [VA-HIST] Senate Bill 818


> As most of you know, the Library of Virginia maintains the official
archives
> of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The state archives contains more than 91
> million items documenting four centuries of Virginia history.
>
> We have been monitoring Senate Bill 818 and want to reassure researchers
> that safeguards exist through the state's records management program to
> preserve the vital information contained in wills.  The Code of Virginia
in
> the sections known as the Virginia Public Records Act gives the Library of
> Virginia authority to manage and direct records management for the
> Commonwealth of Virginia.  This Code section governs the retention and
> disposition of the records of the circuit courts.  As a result, circuit
> court clerks in Virginia are either keeping the original will or creating
a
> facsimile of the original will.  This is standard procedure.  Senate Bill
> 818 would not change this.
>
> We will continue to work closely with the state's circuit court clerks on
> the requirements of our records management program to ensure that the
> invaluable information in these records is preserved, assuring researchers
> effective and efficient access.
>
> We are grateful for the concerns you have expressed and will continue to
> communicate and work with the Commonwealth's circuit court clerks on this
> matter.  As the official state repositoty we are committed to the
> preservation of the documentary hertiage of Virginia and do not believe
> Senate Bill 818 as currently written threatens that mission.
>
> ************
> Conley L. Edwards
> State Archivist
> The Library of Virginia
> 800 East Broad Street
> Richmond, VA  23219
> 804-692-3554
> [log in to unmask]
> ************
>
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