This did not fit into any single, obvious category I had to select - It fits into so many: Economy, Education (adult), Arts, History (not an individual category), etc.

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Here's the "500 character" note I sent the President through http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/:

 

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An Idea to Put People to Work, Provide Vocational Education/Training, and Save Our Local History

Dear President Obama,

I know that one of your promises was to put people back to work. I believe that as Roosevelt did, you will probably have a lot of construction work for people (mostly men) to do.

Might I suggest that you also consider bringing back something similar to the WPA's listing of genealogical records? Personally, I'd like to be involved in something like that, but I would like to see it computerized.

My suggestion would be to scan the records into computers (this would require large-format book scanners to keep from damaging the originals), and data entry programs that would include not only the standard info, but ALL manually entered info on each "form" as fields. The images would be tied to that textual data, and the data included on the local government website, available to all. They could have the data, or at least most of it and low-res images available for free, and if people want them, high-res images and other products, for sale. This could provide an - albeit small in many cases - income stream that would continue and possibly grow after the financial problems of the world are over.

This could not only provide income for some people during the financial crisis, but many would learn skills that could translate into administrative or secretarial jobs.

I, originally, envisioned this happening a few years ago when my programming position was eliminated, and I started on my family's history. I envisioned it using teams of 3-4, at least one or two to handle the scanning, and two to do data entry and verification of the spelling. Since many of the records have hand-written data, they would both, or all, have to agree on how names and info are spelled. These positions should be paid, at least minimum wage, if not more. I can see this continuing even after the current money problems, until all records are computerized. Then, either a single person in each office, adding new records into the database as they are received, or a periodic "refreshing" of data, where a small team (3-4 people) go back for a time each quarter or year (or so) and do it.

Just SOME of the records I see it including would be:

• Marriage records
• Deeds
• Wills
• Divorce records
• Court records
• Birth Certificates
• Death Certificates
• Business names and permits
• Funeral home records
• Cemetery records
• Newspaper stories
• etc.

... Basically, any record that could provide genealogical or historical information from the local governments.

When the weather is good, new teams could be formed to go out, find, and take pictures of cemeteries and headstones. ALL cemeteries, public and private, would be done this way, under government order, protection and with it's blessing.

NOTE: I'd also like to see all cemeteries become nationally protected, and stringent rules put into place before "moving" them, is allowed. I would also like to see vandalizing or destroying a cemetery or stones/monuments/etc. become a federal offense, requiring service - no idea how long - to help cleaning, clearing, and making cemeteries available and accessible to the public - including handicapped people of all types (some local cemeteries are deep in privately-owned woods) - and at least one essay - requiring research - about the history of at least one of the people whose stones/monuments were damaged, or jail time, to rectify the offense. (The choice would be theirs, and if they didn't perform the service, they would be jailed.) Those essays would also be included in this group's records.

For privacy concerns, no information would be available on the internet that is not available to the public by going to the county courthouse, to the funeral home, to the health department, etc., OR, for the most recent 70 years (whatever the law requires).

Each department could have their own revenue streams for the CDs, DVDs, drives, books, and images they are asked to produce. These "products" could be sold not only through their own websites, but they could also be sold through eBay, various other auction sites, and through local history and genealogy stores. The records could also be donated to local libraries, historical societies, and genealogical societies.

There would be MILLIONS of records of data. It would require reliable, fast, computers, large amounts of storage disks, scanners, and knowledgeable people to do this correctly, and it would require the governments' backing to get it done right. If the cemetery picture-thing is included, it would also require photographers (non-professional), organizers, vehicles (or gas allowance), and maybe more.

After the financial problems are done, kids from local history classes in school and/or local organizations could make money by doing this, if those who did it because of the financial crisis wish to, and can, find other jobs.

This is an idea I've had for some time, for a business for myself, locally, but I know little of how to get it started. Now, I believe it could be used to help a LOT of out-of-work people do something I believe is not "make-work", as many seemed to think it was back in the 30s, but it's important, bringing the local history of our country to the world.

I have written a number of articles and blog entries about the loss of local history. Please see some of them at my website at:

• http://www.orangefrogproductions.com/ofp2o_auth_articles+letters_home.shtml
• http://bigdaddybs-main.blogspot.com/2006/10/history-both-local-and-family-lost.html
• http://bigdaddybs-main.blogspot.com/2006/12/more-history-being-lost-one-solution.html
• http://bigdaddybs-main.blogspot.com/2007/03/schizophrenic-road.html, and
• http://bigdaddybs-main.blogspot.com/2008/06/what-have-i-been-up-to.html

I would love to work with someone on making this a reality. I don't believe it would take a huge committee to figure this all out, as bureaucracy would simply bog it down in details.

What do you think?

Thank you for taking the time to read this page, and for your consideration.

I hope something like this can be done, soon.

Sincerely,

William D. Sanders

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by Bill Sanders © February 02, 2009 - email:
 

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