Week 51: Future #52Ancestors

Future. Hmmm. As a family historian, I don’t give much thought to the “future.” Yet, since this is the time of year to reflect on what the future holds, I’ll give it a whirl.

Here is something you, dear reader, can do to help keep genealogy affordable in the future. The USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services), is proposing a huge fee increase for retrieval of late 19th/mid-20th century citizenship records for our ancestors. Possibly as much as a 492% increase. 

Until three years ago, obtaining these records cost $55 or less. The fees were increased in 2016 to a maximum of $130.[1]Under this rule, it could cost as much as $625 to obtain a single paper file.[2] Stiff increases in green card and citizenship applications were a part these fee hikes proposed in November. 

Should America’s historical records be used as a revenue stream? If you disagree, you have until December 30 to leave a comment. Go to www.recordsnotrevenue.com for more information and help with how to (easily) leave your feedback. 

As for my future, I’m going to continue to blog and I hope you will continue to follow me. I may try to expand the topics I talk about, but I will keep it primarily on genealogy. I’ve been following the prompts provided by Amy Johnson Crow and will continue to use her guidance for topics. I hope to also do some writing beyond the blog and get my family tree done.[3]

Happy holidays to all of you!

[1] Kate Gibson, “Federal proposal would jack up the cost of researching ancestors,” CBS News, 9 December 2109; digital image (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/federal-proposal-would-jack-up-the-cost-of-researching-ancestors/?fbclid=IwAR07BW9nPwgcFlB-R_gREdGQXqbLw7IcgyXrH-nIjRVKb0o0VT3rWokKmKY : accessed 16 December 2019).

[2] Susan Rowan Kelleher, “The Trump Administration is About to Make Tracing Your Roots a Lot More Expensive,” Forbes, 7 December 2019; digital image (https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2019/12/07/the-trump-administration-is-about-to-make-tracing-your-roots-a-lot-more-expensive/amp/?fbclid=IwAR3Rv_tYmPAL8-tFv3CMbm9WVxIWD5vJsnQcZprMfoHC0enFNNyBZ9rH9aM : accessed 16 December 2019). 

[3] Ha ha. That’s a joke. No one has ever finished their family tree.

Jay, Steve, and Cele Glacy - about 1958.

Kimmy Kat, our son’s cat who currently lives with us. Caught in the act!