People for Better Pennsylvania
Historical Records Access (Pa-HR-Access)
We listen to so many genealogist who grumble to us about the cumbersome procedure in Pennsylvania. Currently, you pay the fee, provide personal identification, and wait several weeks for each certificate requested. Pa-HR-Access is proposing that any death certificate issued in Pa. which is more than 50 years old - for those people dying before1957 - be accessible on-line for public use. This proposal would alleviate the current frustration experienced by many of our patrons. Perhaps the greatest advantage to the Commonwealth would be lessening the burden and cost to the Division of Vital Records by eliminating its antiquated system of manually processing each request one at a time.
The California Area Historical Society Board of Directors joins the cause of the People for Better Pennsylvania Historical Records Access (Pa-HR-Access). Our goal is to have old death certificates available for research on line.
Several states already have easy access to death certificates, including Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Utah, and neighboring West Virginia.
Now is the time for Pa. residents to write your State legislators and ask them to review any proposed legislation on this issue. Senate Bill 1378, Printer No. 1966 was introduced in the State Senate on April 25. A companion House bill is expected to be introduced shortly.
Contact Mary Beth Graf, Secretary of the Society for additional information on this important issue. Our state legislators will not know our feeling unless we voice our opinions.
WHY NOT PENNSYLVANIA?
YOU CAN HELP!!!!