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. 🙂

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