Alexa Glatch Follow

Judy and Rita, Thanks so much for your responses and information about the Vital Records in the New Orleans area. I knew the two of you would know what was going on. Rita, I'm sure you're the same one who helped me find my great-great grandfather's real first name (Casimir LeBlanc) about 10 years ago at a GACHGS library research event and I'll be forever grateful. I saw the original record in question at the Church Archives in Thibodaux which confirmed your notes. Judy, I knew you must have been aware of the frustrations associated with the records in N.O. You are a bundle of information. The office in Metairie is sandwiched in the same room as the health department, so on one side people are getting shots, and on the other side, people are begging for accurate vital records. Everyone is squeezed in, the small place is crowded and hectic. The people handling the vital records are behind glass and seem uninterested in accuracy. I think the most important thing for them is "I need your picture ID", even moreso than getting the money! I sent for three death certificates and four birth certificates about three weeks ago. The checks have cleared my bank and I've already received one birth certificate and two death certificates, so the turnaround time is good. I just wish they'd be more accurate and more professional. I realize they have gone through a traumatic experience. Haven't most of us? I can't imagine how they would think VITAL records are so unimportant to leave in a moldy cellar without making an attempt to salvage them. After all, our VITAL records are just that, VITAL. I agree, we need to keep abreast of this unbelievable negligent situation. I'll begin my letter-writing campaign and contact my legislator, asap, and will send a copy of the letter and my dad's documents to him as an example. Thanks you for taking the time to give us the facts. Alexa K Richard --- On Thu, 7/31/08, Judy Riffel wrote: From: Judy Riffel Good luck dealing with Vital Records Registry. They were not up to par before Katrina and since then, have gone steeply downhill. Last session, the legislature ordered them to get their act together, though they didn't specify the penalty if they didn't (http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=498912). They need to move the entire office out of New Orleans to higher ground and where they can fill their staffing vacancies. People need to keep up the pressure. Contact your legislator, write letters, etc. Nothing is going to be done if people do not speak up. The records will continue to mold in the warehouse and errors like this will continue to be made. I have written about this again in the September issue of le Raconteur and will continue to monitor the situation. The legislature ordered Vital Records to submit a report to them prior to the next session. I will be keeping our members informed. Judy Riffel >From Alexa Recently I went to the vital records office in Metairie.... my dad's birth card had the incorrect birth year and my grandfather's middle initial was incorrect. Today, I received a computer generated copy of his birth record, full copy, again with the erroneous birth year and incorrect initial of his father's name.