In the face of declining state budgets, the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board (GHRAB), through the Georgia Archives and Office of Secretary of State, has worked to locate alternate sources of funding to support the mission to improve the condition of records statewide. GHRAB obtained a $60,000 grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission to strengthen programs that manage historical records at the county level. The Board awarded 18 grants averaging $3,000 to counties, superior courts, and probate courts to help them move toward meeting Georgia’s “Required Minimum Standards for Archival Storage and Preservation.” This is what the local governments had to say about their grant:
| Grantees |
Grantees Comments |
| Atkinson County |
This grant has been an asset to Atkinson County in helping us get on the right track. Atkinson County is a small rural county with about 7200-7500 population. Like so many other cities and counties, records were kept in the attic, all offices, third floor courthouse spaces, you name it. With this grant we were able to purchase steel shelving and boxes to store documents properly. |
| Bulloch County Probate Court |
The GHRAB grant allowed us to expand our filing system. We were able to increase our storage of records and are now able to continue to take in Last Will and Testaments of our young citizens and keep them secure until the need to probate comes. Also, we were able to begin a disaster response plan for the Bulloch County Courthouse and hopefully created the basic plan for all county buildings. |
| Burke County Probate Court |
Burke County is very appreciative for the assistance provided from GHRAB toward equipping our new County Archives Facility. We have just concluded a major renovation project to turn our old 1936 Jail into a new Records Retention Facility. We will use this shelving to store the County’s vital records in a safe and organized environment. Many of the records were stored in boxes in the attic. The shelving will be installed in the next two weeks and we will begin moving our records to the building within 30 days. |
| Cherokee County Superior Court |
Since we have established a central records storage center, all of our records are now located in one area and in an orderly manner. This has resulted in easier access to our records and less time spent retrieving case files. The long term effect is the knowledge that our permanent records are maintained in a proper environment in archival boxes in a climate controlled area. |
| Crisp County Superior Court |
The grant allowed us to upgrade and assisted us with installing two high density mobile filing systems in the archival storage area of our new courthouse. Over 2,600 square feet of space for record storage and archives was included in the construction which is near completion. This shelving will house archival and storage records for both the Cordele District Attorney and the Crisp County Clerk of Court. This project has greatly enhanced our ability to protect, secure and locate valuable records and documents which in turn will allow us to be more efficient and improve service to our citizens. |
| Franklin County |
After getting this project underway, we can see a remarkable difference. This project may be extended to adjoining storage rooms in the courthouse. |
| Hancock County |
We are continually working on the improvement of our record room. The Hancock County Board of Commissioners appreciates being allotted the chance to receive the SNAP grant and make the necessary changes to our existing records management system. |
| Jones County |
This grant (and the requirement of a disaster response plan and records management plan to be submitted) has been the catalyst in changing the County's awareness, focus, and future direction in the management and preservation of its records. For this, I thank the GHRAB Board, Georgia Archives, and Secretary of State's Office. |
| Laurens County |
We have an estimated 25,000 loose original records...that need to be kept at the courthouse for easy retrieval, protection, and interpretation. The grant allowed us to buy legal size cabinets and enough legal size folders to protect and house these documents. The next step is to unfold all records, file under proper name, interpret them, and make them available to the public via computer. Thank you for your support for our local efforts involving these records. |
| Lincoln County Superior Court |
We had many records which were located in several areas of the courthouse and this grant allowed us to organize these records in one location in a safe environment with easier access. |
| McIntosh County |
The grant helped develop a partnership with Historic Preservation Commission and monies to implement a program that was non-existing. Also began the conversion of how to properly maintain records. Because no minimum level of standards was utilized in the past, the grant provided an opportunity to begin and build from the ground up. |
| Montgomery County |
Because Montgomery County is a small rural county with a limited tax base, funds have not been available to purchase necessary storage cabinets or shelving. Receiving the GHRAB grant gave the County the opportunity to improve storage and preservation of historical records. Our vault is much more organized and our records will be better preserved for future generations. Even more important was meeting with the staff of the Georgia Archives and learning what assistance is available. This was information that will continue to be valuable to our county in the future. |
| Oglethorpe County |
The Superior Court will work closely with the County Commission to achieve meeting minimum standards for storing historical records. We have spoken about implementing fire detection and suppression systems. |
| Pike County |
We had purchased steel shelving and erected a small section, but had not gone much beyond that very initial phase toward any organized program. I wanted to ... convey our sincere appreciation for the funding that was the impetus for our records management plan. This will assist with bringing Pike County into a much better place from a records standpoint and allow us to continue to build on this great foundation. |
| Seminole County |
The grant greatly improved the county's storage conditions as each dept. head cleared out boxes from the 70s which could have been destroyed many years prior. I have made a pledge to myself that as long as I am the County Clerk the records storage area will never again become disorganized. |
| Tattnall County |
By removing the records off the pallets on the floor and putting them on the new shelves, we will be able to maximize the efficiency of the archives materials plus utilize the building cubic space more safely for staff and visitors. |
| Turner County |
The grant helped the County purchase approved shelving unit for its records. We gained additional storage room with better organization of records. Records previously were stored in boxes on the floor! |
