How can we request time sensitive records for the Miwok Native American Tribe be digitized/indexed?

Debbie Hutchings

Below, we compiled a short list of titles of Native American Collections to pursue getting on the docket, for professional digitizing as soon as possible. Some of these may be digitized already, but the goal is for all (County, State, United States) records to be compiled and organized under a Native American heading in Family Search. We have spent years researching the Miwok tribe in California. Records are difficult to find but we have had success in looking at these records held at different sites. We would like to request they be digitized in a timely manner as many of the Miwok natives are an older generation.

1. Department of Interior Office of Indian Affairs, (California 1928 CIJA Application)

2. California Indian School Records, Examples- Riverside Indian School and Stuart Indian School.   1 and 2 are located in the National Archives, San Bruno, CA

3. 1910 Census: Indian Population in U.S and Alaska

Special Census, by John Terrell of the Bureau of Indian Affairs,q (El Dorado County) of 1906 and 1907

4. California Indian Treaties, nearly 400 Nation wide, Located at the National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC

Erin Dixon (Miwok Indian) and Kristen Mackey and Debbie Hutchings

Áine Ní Donnghaile

All microfilm holdings of FamilySearch have been digitized. See: https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/familysearch-microfilm-collection-digitized

But - that does not mean that all digital images can be viewed in locations other than the main library in Salt Lake City. That access depends on the contracts FamilySearch has made with the original record holders/creators.

MaureenE123

I am not connected with FamilySearch.

I have not checked to see whether all the above records have already been filmed (and digitised) by FamilySearch, but if the records have not already been filmed by FamilySearch, read the 2018 article "FamilySearch’s Strategy to Help Preserve the World's Archives" https://www.familysearch.org/en/newsroom/familysearch-strategy-to-help-preserve-the-worlds-archives

There is an email quoted in this article  preservation@FamilySearch.org Perhaps you could try that, hoping that it still remains current.

Debbie Hutchings

We would like the listed records to be digitized-photographed. They are currently not in the digitized list found in Records or Images.

Debbie Hutchings

• Here is what is in the newsroom link: Discover information about records. Visit target repositories and create a basic inventory of records.
• Connect with key people. Connect with record custodians and other key people who can influence or grant permission for FamilySearch to digitize records
• Take digital pictures of records. Operate digital equipment provided by FamilySearch to take pictures of select records.

The first 2 items have been done-finding the records, visiting the repositories, connecting with people. Now who will take the pictures? How do we initiate the last step?

Áine Ní Donnghaile

There is an involved process of permissions and contracts. The entities that control/own the records would have to reach an agreement with FamilySearch.

Debbie Hutchings

How do we initiate that process of getting permissions and contracts with FamilySearch and these repositories? Is there a name or number of someone to contact in FamilySearch? I have emailed the address recommended above, preservation@familysearch.org, hoping to see if this is still a valid email and perhaps a contact of some kind.

Áine Ní Donnghaile

I believe that David Ouimette, mentioned in this article, still leads the Content Strategy team at FamilySearch.

https://familytreemagazine.com/websites/familysearch/familysearch-digitize-records/

Mike357

@Debbie Hutchings ,

Just to add a note to the excellent information that you've already received; here's what I have found that may be helpful.

1. FamilySearch will only work with an Archivist and/or the record owner;
2. You can, if you desire, contact the archivist or record owner and ask them to make the request for digitization. The archivist or record owner must make the request as we must have their permission.
3. If the archivist/record owner makes the request, we will need the following information:
   • Type of records
   • Contact information (name, best phone number, email address)
   • Approximate number of records or years that are covered
   • Confirmation that they have the legal right to give permission to film/digitize and share the records
   • Where are the records

Please consider this a starting point. I am not an expert in this area, but I believe that it is enough to start the process.

It would be best if the request were made by email or by contacting FamilySearch by phone, rather than making such a request via the community.

Debbie Hutchings

Thank you for all the responses. We will pursue this now with FamilySearch with a better understanding of what is involved. Many of the native American tribes do have records that are unique and need to be both digitized and indexed for public use. Thank you. Debbie Hutchings