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| Marriage record pictured on the DORIS website |
Another fight is brewing between New York City repositories and the genealogists and others who depend on their records for research. As explained by “The Legal Genealogist” Judy Russell, the New York City Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) wants to impose a licensing fee for the use of tons and tons of genealogically-relevant materials. The public comment period closes October 23, so time is limited.
It may seem like there’s little we can do as individuals, but the more people who speak out against obstacles to public records access, the more likely we are be heard. Late last year, we wrote about USCIS plans to raise their fees by “astronomical” amounts. Despite thousands of comments lodged in protest, and concern raised by U.S. Senator Mitt Romney, the Department of Homeland Security vowed to go ahead with the fee hikes, scheduled to begin on October 2. However, they were halted by a preliminary court injunction just days before the deadline.
The public can send comments by email, sign a petition by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, or virtually attend the hearing on October 23. For more details on the proposed DORIS rules, and a guide to actions you can take, visit Judy Russell’s blog:
https://www.legalgenealogist.com/2020/10/07/heads-up-on-nyc-records-access/
Copyright © 2020 by California Genealogical Society
OCT
2020