[Genealib] Donated Genealogy Research

[Susan Scouras]

On a related note: In addition to paper files, we were given a computer
with Family Tree Maker files and several biographical and historical
essays in Word stored on the hard drive.  We printed off the essays
easily enough for our manuscript collection, but took some time to find
a volunteer with the necessary edition of Family Tree Maker (and the
knowledge of how to use it) to bring in her CD and print off the files
for us.  We put one copy of each in our manuscript collection, and bound
and cataloged a second copies as family history books.  I made title
pages, wrote an explanatory preface, and put them on the shelves. The
genealogist was a long-time patron and her family had major West
Virginia history connections.  She worked on her research right up until
the end, and did not have an opportunity to print it herself.  

Several times in the past we have had people give us their "book" or
their files on CD in various software formats, and have had trouble
printing them because the genealogy software was outdated or obscure.
We encourage people to print their files, even if they don't compile
into a "book" easily.  At least the separate files are organized enough
to put in folders in a manuscript. We recopy them onto acid free paper.
We are open to providing the paper for the printout, but can not provide
funds for the cost of ink, which is usually the reason people balk at
printing their research. 

Susan Scouras
Librarian
WV Archives and History Library
The Cultural Center
1900 Kanawha Blvd. East
Charleston, WV  25305-0300
(304) 558-0230, Ext. 742
 


-----Original Message-----
From: genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
[mailto:genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu] On Behalf Of Debra
Osborne Spindle
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 12:24 PM
To: genealib at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
Subject: [Genealib] Donated Genealogy Research


Please tell me what your agency does when someone wants to donate Aunt
Fannie's 35 years of research files. (Much of what is in that file is
photocopies of materials we hold in the library.)  We're not talking
about books or pedigree charts or family group sheets, but copies of
census records and handwritten notes and photocopies of articles.

Do you have a portion of your written policy that addresses this?

We will appreciate any advice you have to offer us.  I think I know what
I would do but I have colleagues who want to know what others do. And it
is always helpful to hear from others in the trenches.  (We are working
with both a library and a manuscript archive.)

Thank you for your help--


Debra

Debra Osborne Spindle, PhD, MLIS
Reference Librarian

Oklahoma Historical Society
Research Division
2401 N. Laird
Oklahoma City, OK  73132
405.522.5239
www.okhistory.org

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