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Re: PROBATE RECORDS

ALL RESIDENTS OF WAPELLO COUNTY, PAST AND PRESENT

Posted By: Linda Shogren (email)
Date: 10/2/2004 at 14:26:58

In Response To: Re: PROBATE RECORDS (Della Schults)

I, for one, am not at all sorry that this subject has been opened for discussion, as it seems to me to be something that Wapello County researchers *AND* current residents of the County should be made aware of. With due respect to the county record-keepers (who incidentally were VERY helpful and kind when I was there last summer!) I can't help wondering who made the decision that rendered these public records unavailable for what may well be a very long period of time, and jeopordized the future of the irreplaceable originals. And if some objections aren't raised, could other records be treated in similar fashion?

The point of the original records not being returned to the county is a GIANT question mark. THEN, all researchers and historians have to rely on are film copies which may or may not be 100% complete and accurate. I have been researching for 40+ years and have great respect for what the LDS church has done to preserve old records. However....I have also looked at a few their microfilms that were confusing, incomplete, poorly focused, etc. And if the originals are not retained, we are forced to rely on the judgement and efficiency of unknown persons of particular religious beliefs as to which pieces of paper are filmed and in what order. For example, I know from personal conversations that modern members of the LDS church can be rather sensitive about the previous practice of plural marriage by members of their faith (for example, the DAR doesn't recognize descendants of any other than the first wife) so....?????

I am also very surprised and less than happy that these old, fragile original records (some of which are VERY vital to my own research!) have been sent "AWAY" for filming. I have been under the impression for 40 years that the LDS filming teams worked on site, or at least very nearby.

We also need clarification as to when these MISSING records will be available for research once again. And I do think that "missing" is a very accurate term here, at this point, as no one seems to be able to come up with their exact location and in exactly whose custody they are! And as far as the time frame goes, there is a vast difference between "taking longer than expected", and "a few months", and "two YEARS"! A matter of YEARS, in my opinion, is just not acceptable and if that is the case in fact, then whoever made the decision to release these records from the custody of the county has some explaining to do.

Is anyone from the Wapello County Genealogical Society monitoring this discussion? How about someone from the Wapello County Clerk's office? If there is going to be no response here to the questions being raised, from someone in a position to provide specific answers to the questions being asked, then perhaps this matter should be directed to local authorities and the local newspaper via good old snail mail.

This is NOT a minor matter. Those are legal documents that should be given reasonable care and accessibility, and if public concern is needed to assure that those conditions are met, than perhaps the public should be concerned, as it affects not only that particular group of probate records but also other records in county custody and their future.

Linda Hurlbert Shogren
Professional Educator, and descendant of a number of the original pioneers of Wapello and surrounding counties.

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