Do you know about historically or genealogically important public records that have limited public access, or no public access? If so, please take our survey, so we can investigate and update our to-do list.
Do you know about historically or genealogically important public records that have limited public access, or no public access? If so, please take our survey, so we can investigate and update our to-do list.
PLEASE NOTE: Generally speaking, a records index or finding aid is usually much more likely to fall under Freedom of Information Law purview than the actual records or vital records certificates. For example, a limited-information marriage records index may be available under a state’s FOI laws, although the actual marriage certificates or licenses may have strict privacy laws preventing their release.
Adoption records are almost always sealed under strict privacy laws, and state FOI laws can’t override those.
Cemetery records are generally private, as they are owned by the cemetery themselves, and are not governmental records subject to state FOI laws — unless it’s a public city cemetery.
This survey is looking for information about specific genealogical record sets you believe to be wrongly withheld from the public. It’s not for reporting the names of your family members. Reclaim The Records is interested in open records advocacy, not your personal family tree. 🙂
🚨 LEGISLATION ALERT: NEW JERSEY ABOUT TO GUT RECORDS ACCESS FOR GENEALOGISTS? 🚨
(and journalists and historians too, but let's just focus on the genealogists here for a minute)
Read all about it in our latest newsletter!
https://mailchi.mp/reclaimtherecords/new-jersey-about-to-gut-records-access-for-genealogists
The @SixthFlrMuseum should not be able to decide who gets a copy of the #ZapruderFilm in the @USNatArchives. The public should have unrestricted access to public records. Thanks for your interest in this case! #FOIA #jfk #zapruder
NEW: Just in time for #SunshineWeek! I'm launching a weekly #FOIA newsletter for @business called FOIA Files where I will challenge govt secrecy & unshroud the documents recalcitrant agencies preferred never saw the light of day.
Sign up here: https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/foia-files
We filed papers today in one of our several ongoing #FOIA cases.
We argued that an agency which admits it has a database is certainly capable of producing that database, or at least a subset of its fields -- in opposition to an agency which claims this is just impossible. 😐
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@ReclaimTheRecs @USNatArchives Thanks a lot for checking out this case! Your analysis is spot on -- the way the Zapruder film has been (mis)handled belies the purpose of the public records statutes. Now the "copyright" is being abused to suppress public access!
Hello, #RootsTech2024! Come visit our booth in the Expo Hall, so we can commiserate over tough records access issues, plan new lawsuits to get them, pick out an RTR t-shirt, and get free stickers and badge ribbons and candy!
(Here, board member Alec models a @Muckrock shirt.)
Reclaim The Records is at the annual day-before-#RootsTech Archives and Records Custodians (ARC) symposium. We’ve got a front row seat to hear from archivists from Austria, Mexico, Colombia, and the Philippines — and FamilySearch, of course.
Every citizen should have the basic right to obtain their own identity documents. No matter the circumstances of their birth. Our birth records belong to us, not the state.
@adopteelaw It's a nationwide race to see which state can be the best at changing their attitudes, giving people the right to their own records (and identities), and letting the sunshine in! 🥰
@ReclaimTheRecs Don't forget Minnesota! It's currently #15 (effective July 1, 2024). Georgia and Michigan are also competing to be next, and Virginia too.
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Reclaim The Records is an IRS-recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Our EIN is 81-4985446. Contact us at [email protected]
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