WorldConnect Suggestions - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Worldconnect is currently recovering from a hardware failure, service will be slow.

tdowling_53223 — 2009-10-21 20:42:49Z

That message was very effective and appreciated. I did not notice it right away yesterday, and now see that you have bolded it. Would like to suggest a red color and/or scrolling.

In any case, thanks. :-)

Worldconnect is currently recovering from a hardware failure, service will be slow.

lakebay4me — 2009-10-21 08:12:09Z

Thank you, Randy.

Re: Post Em notes disappearing

randy_winch — 2009-10-10 21:16:34Z

No it is not normal at all, can you give me an example? I need the tree id mostly.

Re: Post Em notes disappearing

JohnClement75 — 2009-10-10 17:15:46Z

Post-em notes are attached to ID numbers.

If in subsequent uploads, an individual's ID number has changed, then any post-em previously attached to that individual will vanish.

Re: Post Em notes disappearing

jmyoung365 — 2009-10-10 04:13:43Z

Roger-

If you are attacking notes to your own trees they shouldn't disappear. If you are attacking them to other submitters' trees -- then the database owners can remove them if they want to do so.

Joan

Post Em notes disappearing

roger_weir1976rw — 2009-10-09 23:07:16Z

Is it normal for your postem notes to disappear? Whenever I get newspaper articles or obituaries etc, I post them to my rootsweb site and a few days later, some of them are gone. Any suggestions?

Roger

Re: Christening Dates in Pedigree Reports.

johniel — 2009-10-07 06:39:29Z

Randy - can you ple-e-ease finish this up as per my 17 Mar 2009 post (to which this is a followup)?

Then I'll share with you how you can get rid of the "Printer Friendly Version" link for printing and use CSS to achieve the same effect! :)

Thanks.

- John Van Essen

WorldConnect Server Back

randy_winch — 2009-10-01 16:48:42Z

The server disk array is back to 100% and the nightly update completed last night. All updates have also finished processing.

Re: How to designate unmarried in gedcom

geni_lady — 2009-10-01 14:58:34Z

Rootsweb

Re: i wonder if they are going to do away with world connect and make people pay for ancestry.com

AGHatchett3rd — 2009-10-01 10:27:24Z

Joan,

The sad thing is I think she really *does* believe what she wrote.

Re: i wonder if they are going to do away with world connect and make people pay for ancestry.com

AGHatchett3rd — 2009-10-01 09:56:48Z

[snicker!]

;)

Re: i wonder if they are going to do away with world connect and make people pay for ancestry.com

tdowling_53223 — 2009-10-01 09:50:13Z

Carla, you don't have to subscribe. They will sell you back the exact same genealogical information that you donated to them through your family tree maker program that you bought from them for a very reasonable price. ;-)

Re: worldconnect is down i cannot get into it!!!!!

jmyoung365 — 2009-10-01 06:11:25Z

As I stated in my reply to your other rant...FOIA applies ONLY to specific information maintained by certain US Federal Government Agencies.

Ancestry is NOT a Federal Government agency and has nothing to do with FOIA. In addition, there is no requirement that even FOIA data be offered for free--the agenceis can and will charge you a fee to send you the data that is covered by FOIA.

Joan

Re: i wonder if they are going to do away with world connect and make people pay for ancestry.com

jmyoung365 — 2009-10-01 06:08:24Z

Whatever gave you the idea that ANYONE intends to do away with WorldConnect? Please don't start baseless rumors and fear-mongering. I won't even begin to address your Constituional comments because you MUST be joking--you can't seriously believe what you wrote.

Joan

Re: i wonder if they are going to do away with world connect and make people pay for ancestry.com

jmyoung365 — 2009-10-01 06:03:26Z

FOIA applies to specific Federal Government Agency records required to be accessible to the public. That doesn't mean they always release the information for FREE. One perfect example would be the SSA SS-5 photocopies. You CAN obtain this information for deceased individuals from SSA but they charge a fee to provide it to you.

Any information other than these Federal Govt. agencies is not covered by FOIA. Genealogical information is often privately maintained and created or maintained on a state or local level -- none of whom are involved with FOIA.

There is no free lunch (even IF some specific data is covered by FOIA)--someone has to pay to transcribe or copy and maintain the data if it is made available online and someone has to provide the bandwidth and make the data searchable and pay staff to provide the service and data -- that is what a subscription fee covers--not the data itself necessarily.

Joan

Re: worldconnect is down i cannot get into it!!!!!

AGHatchett3rd — 2009-10-01 03:25:17Z

If you feel that strongly about it then put your money where your mouth is and get a lawyer and sue them - otherwise quit whining. You're becoming excessively annoying.

Re: i wonder if they are going to do away with world connect and make people pay for ancestry.com

AGHatchett3rd — 2009-10-01 00:43:36Z

None of this says it should be free. You'll also note that this is aimed at the FEDERAL government. Most genealogy stuff is held by States- feel free to sue any state for any info you want.

Re: worldconnect is down i cannot get into it!!!!!

CARLAPAGE81 — 2009-10-01 00:12:09Z

i still say that ancestry.com is violating the freedom of information act by making people pay for information.all genealogical records are invluded in the freedom of information act of 1996.they are also violating the constitution of the united states.i should not have to be a paid member to access records pertaining to my family.

Re: slowing down "name collectors"

tdowling_53223 — 2009-09-30 08:14:07Z

Why would you want to limit a tree to only 100,000? What's the point of doing genealogy if you are going to limit your relatives? What is your criteria for kicking someone out of your family? Do you only include siblings and direct ancestors or can you include cousins in your tree? Should you not allow spouses or stepchildren or adopted children to be in your family?

If you back to only your 9th great grandparents, in a perfect world, you would have over 2000 9th great grandparents. Anyone doing genealogy knows that back then most families were much larger than they are today, but let's just assume on average that each set of parents has only three children, which in turn each have three children down through each generation. Each set of your 9th great grandparents would have on average about 180,000 descendants today. In some cases, this could easily exceed a million. Just increase the average number of children to four and do the math.

That's assuming that you completely research only one set of your 1000 sets of ancestors which were most likely for many, born in this country.

So, what should the rule be? Maybe we should only allow people to post their relatives that have the same surname as them. ;-)

But then we still have the Mormons multiplying rapidly throughout each generation, with as many as thirty wives and dozens of children. Since they tend to have largest families, and have done so much research, should we not allow the Latter Day Saints to post their genealogies?

Re: How long is normal for tree to appear?

tdowling_53223 — 2009-09-30 03:20:06Z

I've tried several updates over the past 24 hours. The file is going through every time, but comes back everytime with "This database is currently being updated. It should be back online in a few minutes. Please wait for the screen to refresh with the updated information."

After getting the e-mail reply to clean up my cookies and cache, I finally called tech support and gave them my user information and database name. He was unable to find my tree, until I explained to him to go to my profile and click on the link.

He saw the same screen and said that maybe there is a problem and should try again, which I had already done multiple times. I also explained to him that the problem was happening with many other users to which he explained it must be a rootsweb problem (although the link is ancestry) and I need to contact them by e-mail because they are unable to contact them by phone.

IF THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SERVER THEN THEY SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTING UPLOADS AND DELETING DATABASES!

Are they completely ignorant?

Re: How long is normal for tree to appear?

tdowling_53223 — 2009-09-30 02:20:45Z

How come the help desk does not know about the server crash? They keep telling me that there is nothing wrong and I should delete my cookies and cache to fix the problem.

Re: How to designate unmarried in gedcom

tdowling_53223 — 2009-09-30 02:00:12Z

Yes, you can show this status in a gedcom by subordinating the MARR tag with a TYPE tag. Just look for your nephew's FAM record in the GEDCOM file, inside that record insert the following two lines:

1 MARR
2 TYPE unmarried

You can put whatever text you choose where the "unmarried" text is.

Rootsweb will still display "Marriage" before the other parent's name, but with the "unmarried" qualifier following.

If either parent is marked as "Living" then this is all pointless and the information will not show up on Rootsweb.

Re: How long is normal for tree to appear?

tdowling_53223 — 2009-09-30 00:33:14Z

Really? I've been waiting close to 20 hours now and it hasn't updated.

Re: Server Troubles

tdowling_53223 — 2009-09-30 00:02:42Z

Please explain how delete my cache and cookie files will fix your server problems. ;-)

WorldConnect FUBAR

dav4is — 2009-08-27 15:25:15Z

"Database dav4is doesn't exist or has not been configured"

So reported for all databases.

(BTW: I hate this new board format!)
(BTW: Where should such problems be reported? The old help desk is gone.)

-R.

Re: Search/Index suggestion (hide living)

klbonnell — 2009-09-12 14:39:11Z

I don't see much point in seeing individuals that are listed by last name and "living". I set my cut-off date so that living people are not displayed at all. I've chosen 100 years as a cut-off date. Most people have died by then. So I change my cutoff date each year. For example, this year I only display people born before 1909. Just a personal preference.

Re: Database Missing

DCFDAVISSON — 2009-08-27 15:56:58Z

This was true for me a couple hours ago; now the whole World Connect site is down.

Hope fully Ancestry is working on getting it back together. It is a much better source of information than the mashed up version they imported into the paid version, which often has parents born 200 years before their children, &c &c

Server Troubles

randy_winch — 2009-09-29 15:18:47Z

The main WorldConnect server has had a hard drive failure. We have replaced the drive and the array is rebuilding. Nightly update will be off for a few days and the server might be a bit slow.

Re: Server Troubles

randy_winch — 2009-09-30 13:36:25Z

The update queue is first in first out so updates will be processed in the order received. I see a lot of people doing multiple uploads which slows down the entire process.

I have no idea how long it will take to update under these conditions.

Re: i wonder if they are going to do away with world connect and make people pay for ancestry.com

AGHatchett3rd — 2009-09-30 23:18:03Z

HUH??

Just why should all genealogical information be free- better yet- HOW?

Who will pay for teh servers, the indexing, buying the databases to begin with?

You constitutional rights are *not* being violated as you have no right to free genealogical information to begin with.

Now- take off those rose golored glasses and get on with your actual genealogy!

Re: worldconnect is down i cannot get into it!!!!!

AGHatchett3rd — 2009-09-30 23:48:26Z

Had you bothered to read the previous messages you would have seen that they are working on it.

Re: i wonder if they are going to do away with world connect and make people pay for ancestry.com

AGHatchett3rd — 2009-09-30 23:36:39Z

Not true at ALL!

Only the census records are held for 72 years.

Various States have differing requirements and the Social Security Death index is updated regularly.

What has being dead got to do with anything? Or Feeedom of the Press.. or are you talking about teh Freedom of Information Act/

Whatever the case you latest post shows you to be extremely uninformed as to what the laws and constitution say so there is no use dealing with you.

My favorite quote.. "Ignorance can be cured- stupidity is terminal"

Re: Search/Index suggestion (hide living)

AGHatchett3rd — 2009-09-12 15:31:25Z

I've found some of the "Living Surname" entries useful as clues, especially when married to another "Living Surname", when parents of both are shown. If they also show children then at least you know that there were children. Depending on the time frame you can find them on the 1930 census and, depending on the State involved, later state records. I have one family I traced in Texas from 1928 up to the latest family birth in 2002 just from an entry for "Living Baxter m. Living Caldwell".

Re: Server Troubles

AGHatchett3rd — 2009-09-30 00:22:10Z

LOL!!!!!

You've been in contact with Customer dis-Service...right?

Re: Ancestry "hints" function

AGHatchett3rd — 2009-08-27 01:30:09Z

Let's really face facts- Rootsweb died long ago. All we have now is Ancestry in drag.

Rootsweb was about helping genealogists research, learn good genealogical practices, and present their research.

Ancestry makes no attempt whatsoever to encourage good genealogical practices and seems to actually encourage bad practices with all their easy "one click" genealogy.

Rootsweb is a shell Ancestry maintains because the name has, at least for now, some bit of integrity left. Ancestry has practically none as far as serious genealogists are concerned.

Database Missing

kleback — 2009-08-27 15:32:11Z

I tried to visit my WorldConnect database and got the following message:

Database kleback doesn't exist or has not been configured

I haven't made any changes so I don't know what's happened.

Re: Can't update gedcom

wayter1 — 2009-08-30 02:28:12Z

for whatever reason I am not able to reply to your message regarding Andrew Knutson. I'm sure we can probably exchange information. would you please email me at wayter@telus.net Thanks Terri

Re: How long is normal for tree to appear?

roncon60 — 2009-09-30 01:30:00Z

There was a server crash at Rootsweb today.... updates to your tree there may take a few days...

Re: How long is normal for tree to appear?

roncon60 — 2009-09-30 04:35:20Z

Follow this link to see about the hard drive crash
http://boards.ancestry.com/topics.rw.worldconnect/14126/mb.a...
ron

Re: How long is normal for tree to appear?

roncon60 — 2009-09-30 04:33:03Z

Rootsweb is owned by Ancestry.com

Re: Ancestry "hints" function

jmyoung365 — 2009-08-26 22:53:36Z

Mike-

I said to non-Ancestry subscribers it may appear that the hints are designed to attract them to subscribing (hence ad-like) but they shouldn't appear that way to subscribers. Personally, I feel that is fair given the support Ancestry has provided over the years to RootsWeb and its programs and content.

As always, you can choose to post your tree wherever you want--WorldConnect or elsewhere or everywhere. Your choice.

Joan

Re: Server Troubles

The_Cohens — 2009-09-30 05:36:51Z

Randy,

Could you please explain how that affects trees with new gedcom uploads during this period? If someone uploads a new gedcom 12 hours later when it continues to display the "updating" message for too long, will that delay the tree reappearing? Does that move them farther down in the update que? Will the size of the tree affect the place in line or speed of the update?

How about changing the "updating" message to reflect true status, instead of saying "back online in a few minutes"? And then fix it back, once the new server is running up to date.

Thanks

Re: Server Troubles

The_Cohens — 2009-09-30 05:36:48Z

Re: How long is normal for tree to appear?

The_Cohens — 2009-09-30 03:01:45Z

Sounds like you got an automated reply. If your tree is the following, then I see what you mean. Tell them someone who has never ever visited your tree got the "currently being updated" message tonight, 24 hours after your update supposedly happened! I would not have cookies that need deleting for a site I never visited.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=dowfam3

If this person did not get an automated reply, communication needs to be improved so the help desk knows server status.

But I wonder if you should just try another upload, in case your update got decimated in the midst of the crash?

My tree seems okay, but was last updated three weeks ago.

Re: Server Troubles

The_Cohens — 2009-09-30 15:54:21Z

Then how about an update message saying something like "Updated version of this tree has been received and is currently in the update que. Please check back in a few hours. " And maybe link to this thread. That or something similar also telling people to be patient and not do multiple uploads.

And a temporary message on the upload screen warning people that there will be delays until the server catches up, warning them their trees will go down for a significant period, and asking them to be patient and either wait to submit new gedcoms, or submit only once and be patient, discouraging multiple submissions of the same gedcom.

thanks

i wonder if they are going to do away with world connect and make people pay for ancestry.com

CARLAPAGE81 — 2009-09-30 20:58:25Z

i wonder if they are going to do away with worldconnect and make people pay for ancestry.com alot of people cannot afford what they are asking for ancestry.com,i don,t believe a person should have to pay for ancestry.com all genealogical information should be public and viewable for the general public.it is a violation of the constitution that they are asking people to pay for ancestry.com,if they do away with worldconnect i will stop using rootsweb.com
and will boycot rootsweb.com

worldconnect is down i cannot get into it!!!!!

CARLAPAGE81 — 2009-09-30 20:44:35Z

world connect is down,i just tried to get into it.i wish you all would fix your problems!!!!!!!

Re: i wonder if they are going to do away with world connect and make people pay for ancestry.com

CARLAPAGE81 — 2009-09-30 23:25:33Z

for one reason everyone is dead that the information is on,it has to be atleast 72 yewars for any information to be released.any information that is out there is under the freedom of the press,i suggest you read the constitution of the united states and the bill of rights.i should not have to pay for genealogical information on my ancestors.

Re: i wonder if they are going to do away with world connect and make people pay for ancestry.com

CARLAPAGE81 — 2009-09-30 23:53:48Z

The Freedom of Information Act
5 U.S.C. § 552, As Amended By
Public Law No. 104-231, 110 Stat. 3048
Below is the full text of the Freedom of Information Act in a form showing all amendments to the statute made by the "Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996." All newly enacted provisions are in boldface type.
§ 552. Public information; agency rules, opinions, orders, records, and proceedings

(a) Each agency shall make available to the public information as follows:

(1) Each agency shall separately state and currently publish in the Federal Register for the guidance of the public--

(A) descriptions of its central and field organization and the established places at which, the employees (and in the case of a uniformed service, the members) from whom, and the methods whereby, the public may obtain information, make submittals or requests, or obtain decisions;

(B) statements of the general course and method by which its functions are channeled and determined, including the nature and requirements of all formal and informal procedures available;

(C) rules of procedure, descriptions of forms available or the places at which forms may be obtained, and instructions as to the scope and contents of all papers, reports, or examinations;

(D) substantive rules of general applicability adopted as authorized by law, and statements of general policy or interpretations of general applicability formulated and adopted by the agency; and

(E) each amendment, revision, or repeal of the foregoing.

Except to the extent that a person has actual and timely notice of the terms thereof, a person may not in any manner be required to resort to, or be adversely affected by, a matter required to be published in the Federal Register and not so published. For the purpose of this paragraph, matter reasonably available to the class of persons affected thereby is deemed published in the Federal Register when incorporated by reference therein with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register.
(2) Each agency, in accordance with published rules, shall make available for public inspection and copying--

(A) final opinions, including concurring and dissenting opinions, as well as orders, made in the adjudication of cases;

(B) those statements of policy and interpretations which have been adopted by the agency and are not published in the Federal Register; and

(C) administrative staff manuals and instructions to staff that affect a member of the public;

(D) copies of all records, regardless of form or format, which have been released to any person under paragraph (3) and which, because of the nature of their subject matter, the agency determines have become or are likely to become the subject of subsequent requests for substantially the same records; and

(E) a general index of the records referred to under subparagraph (D);

unless the materials are promptly published and copies offered for sale. For records created on or after November 1, 1996, within one year after such date, each agency shall make such records available, including by computer telecommunications or, if computer telecommunications means have not been established by the agency, by other electronic means. To the extent required to prevent a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, an agency may delete identifying details when it makes available or publishes an opinion, statement of policy, interpretation, or staff manual or instruction, staff manual, instruction, or copies of records referred to in subparagraph (D). However, in each case the justification for the deletion shall be explained fully in writing, and the extent of such deletion shall be indicated on the portion of the record which is made available or published, unless including that indication would harm an interest protected by the exemption in subsection (b) under which the deletion is made. If technically feasible, the extent of the deletion shall be indicated at the place in the record where the deletion was made. Each agency shall also maintain and make available for public inspection and copying current indexes providing identifying information for the public as to any matter issued, adopted, or promulgated after July 4, 1967, and required by this paragraph to be made available or published. Each agency shall promptly publish, quarterly or more frequently, and distribute (by sale or otherwise) copies of each index or supplements thereto unless it determines by order published in the Federal Register that the publication would be unnecessary and impracticable, in which case the agency shall nonetheless provide copies of an index on request at a cost not to exceed the direct cost of duplication. Each agency shall make the index referred to in subparagraph (E) available by computer telecommunications by December 31, 1999. A final order, opinion, statement of policy, interpretation, or staff manual or instruction that affects a member of the public may be relied on, used, or cited as precedent by an agency against a party other than an agency only if--
(i) it has been indexed and either made available or published as provided by this paragraph; or

(ii) the party has actual and timely notice of the terms thereof.

(3)(A) Except with respect to the records made available under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, each agency, upon request for records which (A) (i) reasonably describes such records and (B) (ii) is made in accordance with published rules stating the time, place, fees (if any), and procedures to be followed, shall make the records promptly available to any person.

(B) In making any record available to a person under this paragraph, an agency shall provide the record in any form or format requested by the person if the record is readily reproducible by the agency in that form or format. Each agency shall make reasonable efforts to maintain its records in forms or formats that are reproducible for purposes of this section.

(C) In responding under this paragraph to a request for records, an agency shall make reasonable efforts to search for the records in electronic form or format, except when such efforts would significantly interfere with the operation of the agency's automated information system.

(D) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "search" means to review, manually or by automated means, agency records for the purpose of locating those records which are responsive to a request.

(4)(A)(i) In order to carry out the provisions of this section, each agency shall promulgate regulations, pursuant to notice and receipt of public comment, specifying the schedule of fees applicable to the processing of requests under this section and establishing procedures and guidelines for determining when such fees should be waived or reduced. Such schedule shall conform to the guidelines which shall be promulgated, pursuant to notice and receipt of public comment, by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and which shall provide for a uniform schedule of fees for all agencies.

(ii) Such agency regulations shall provide that--

(I) fees shall be limited to reasonable standard charges for document search, duplication, and review, when records are requested for commercial use;

(II) fees shall be limited to reasonable standard charges for document duplication when records are not sought for commercial use and the request is made by an educational or noncommercial scientific institution, whose purpose is scholarly or scientific research; or a representative of the news media; and

(III) for any request not described in (I) or (II), fees shall be limited to reasonable standard charges for document search and duplication.

(iii) Documents shall be furnished without any charge or at a charge reduced below the fees established under clause (ii) if disclosure of the information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.

(iv) Fee schedules shall provide for the recovery of only the direct costs of search, duplication, or review. Review costs shall include only the direct costs incurred during the initial examination of a document for the purposes of determining whether the documents must be disclosed under this section and for the purposes of withholding any portions exempt from disclosure under this section. Review costs may not include any costs incurred in resolving issues of law or policy that may be raised in the course of processing a request under this section. No fee may be charged by any agency under this section--

(I) if the costs of routine collection and processing of the fee are likely to equal or exceed the amount of the fee; or

(II) for any request described in clause (ii)(II) or (III) of this subparagraph for the first two hours of search time or for the first one hundred pages of duplication.

(v) No agency may require advance payment of any fee unless the requester has previously failed to pay fees in a timely fashion, or the agency has determined that the fee will exceed $250.

(vi) Nothing in this subparagraph shall supersede fees chargeable under a statute specifically providing for setting the level of fees for particular types of records.

(vii) In any action by a requester regarding the waiver of fees under this section, the court shall determine the matter de novo, provided that the court's review of the matter shall be limited to the record before the agency.

(B) On complaint, the district court of the United States in the district in which the complainant resides, or has his principal place of business, or in which the agency records are situated, or in the District of Columbia, has jurisdiction to enjoin the agency from withholding agency records and to order the production of any agency records improperly withheld from the complainant. In such a case the court shall determine the matter de novo, and may examine the contents of such agency records in camera to determine whether such records or any part thereof shall be withheld under any of the exemptions set forth in subsection (b) of this section, and the burden is on the agency to sustain its action. In addition to any other matters to which a court accords substantial weight, a court shall accord substantial weight to an affidavit of an agency concerning the agency's determination as to technical feasibility under paragraph (2)(C) and subsection (b) and reproducibility under paragraph (3)(B).

(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the defendant shall serve an answer or otherwise plead to any complaint made under this subsection within thirty days after service upon the defendant of the pleading in which such complaint is made, unless the court otherwise directs for good cause shown.

[(D) Except as to cases the court considers of greater importance, proceedings before the district court, as authorized by this subsection, and appeals therefrom, take precedence on the docket over all cases and shall be assigned for hearing and trial or for argument at the earliest practicable date and expedited in every way. Repealed by Pub. L. 98-620, Title IV, 402(2), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3335, 3357.]

(E) The court may assess against the United States reasonable attorney fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred in any case under this section in which the complainant has substantially prevailed.

(F) Whenever the court orders the production of any agency records improperly withheld from the complainant and assesses against the United States reasonable attorney fees and other litigation costs, and the court additionally issues a written finding that the circumstances surrounding the withholding raise questions whether agency personnel acted arbitrarily or capriciously with respect to the withholding, the Special Counsel shall promptly initiate a proceeding to determine whether disciplinary action is warranted against the officer or employee who was primarily responsible for the withholding. The Special Counsel, after investigation and consideration of the evidence submitted, shall submit his findings and recommendations to the administrative authority of the agency concerned and shall send copies of the findings and recommendations to the officer or employee or his representative. The administrative authority shall take the corrective action that the Special Counsel recommends.

(G) In the event of noncompliance with the order of the court, the district court may punish for contempt the responsible employee, and in the case of a uniformed service, the responsible member.

(5) Each agency having more than one member shall maintain and make available for public inspection a record of the final votes of each member in every agency proceeding.

(6)(A) Each agency, upon any request for records made under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection, shall--

(i) determine within ten days twenty days (excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the receipt of any such request whether to comply with such request and shall immediately notify the person making such request of such determination and the reasons therefor, and of the right of such person to appeal to the head of the agency any adverse determination; and

(ii) make a determination with respect to any appeal within twenty days (excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the receipt of such appeal. If on appeal the denial of the request for records is in whole or in part upheld, the agency shall notify the person making such request of the provisions for judicial review of that determination under paragraph (4) of this subsection.

(B) In unusual circumstances as specified in this subparagraph, the time limits prescribed in either clause (i) or clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) may be extended by written notice to the person making such request setting forth the reasons for such extension and the date on which a determination is expected to be dispatched. No such notice shall specify a date that would result in an extension for more than ten working days. As used in this subparagraph, "unusual circumstances" means, but only to the extent reasonably necessary to the proper processing of the particular request--
(i) the need to search for and collect the requested records from field facilities or other establishments that are separate from the office processing the request;

(ii) the need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a voluminous amount of separate and distinct records which are demanded in a single request; or

(iii) the need for consultation, which shall be conducted with all practicable speed, with another agency having a substantial interest in the determination of the request or among two or more components of the agency having substantial subject matter interest therein.

(B)(i) In unusual circumstances as specified in this subparagraph, the time limits prescribed in either clause (i) or clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) may be extended by written notice to the person making such request setting forth the unusual circumstances for such extension and the date on which a determination is expected to be dispatched. No such notice shall specify a date that would result in an extension for more than ten working days, except as provided in clause (ii) of this subparagraph.
(ii) With respect to a request for which a written notice under clause (i) extends the time limits prescribed under clause (i) of subparagraph (A), the agency shall notify the person making the request if the request cannot be processed within the time limit specified in that clause and shall provide the person an opportunity to limit the scope of the request so that it may be processed within that time limit or an opportunity to arrange with the agency an alternative time frame for processing the request or a modified request. Refusal by the person to reasonably modify the request or arrange such an alternative time frame shall be considered as a factor in determining whether exceptional circumstances exist for purposes of subparagraph (C).

(iii) As used in this subparagraph, "unusual circumstances" means, but only to the extent reasonably necessary to the proper processing of the particular requests--

(I) the need to search for and collect the requested records from field facilities or other establishments that are separate from the office processing the request;

(II) the need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a voluminous amount of separate and distinct records which are demanded in a single request; or

(III) the need for consultation, which shall be conducted with all practicable speed, with another agency having a substantial interest in the determination of the request or among two or more components of the agency having substantial subject matter interest therein.

(iv) Each agency may promulgate regulations, pursuant to notice and receipt of public comment, providing for the aggregation of certain requests by the same requestor, or by a group of requestors acting in concert, if the agency reasonably believes that such requests actually constitute a single request, which would otherwise satisfy the unusual circumstances specified in this subparagraph, and the requests involve clearly related matters. Multiple requests involving unrelated matters shall not be aggregated.

(C)(i) Any person making a request to any agency for records under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection shall be deemed to have exhausted his administrative remedies with respect to such request if the agency fails to comply with the applicable time limit provisions of this paragraph. If the Government can show exceptional circumstances exist and that the agency is exercising due diligence in responding to the request, the court may retain jurisdiction and allow the agency additional time to complete its review of the records. Upon any determination by an agency to comply with a request for records, the records shall be made promptly available to such person making such request. Any notification of denial of any request for records under this subsection shall set forth the names and titles or positions of each person responsible for the denial of such request.

(ii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "exceptional circumstances" does not include a delay that results from a predictable agency workload of requests under this section, unless the agency demonstrates reasonable progress in reducing its backlog of pending requests.

(iii) Refusal by a person to reasonably modify the scope of a request or arrange an alternative time frame for processing the request (or a modified request) under clause (ii) after being given an opportunity to do so by the agency to whom the person made the request shall be considered as a factor in determining whether exceptional circumstances exist for purposes of this subparagraph.

(D)(i) Each agency may promulgate regulations, pursuant to notice and receipt of public comment, providing for multitrack processing of requests for records based on the amount of work or time (or both) involved in processing requests.

(ii) Regulations under this subparagraph may provide a person making a request that does not qualify for the fastest multitrack processing an opportunity to limit the scope of the request in order to qualify for faster processing.
(iii) This subparagraph shall not be considered to affect the requirement under subparagraph (C) to exercise due diligence.

(E)(i) Each agency shall promulgate regulations, pursuant to notice and receipt of public comment, providing for expedited processing of requests for records--

(I) in cases in which the person requesting the records demonstrates a compelling need; and

(II) in other cases determined by the agency.

(ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), regulations under this subparagraph must ensure--

(I) that a determination of whether to provide expedited processing shall be made, and notice of the determination shall be provided to the person making the request, within 10 days after the date of the request; and

(II) expeditious consideration of administrative appeals of such determinations of whether to provide expedited processing.

(iii) An agency shall process as soon as practicable any request for records to which the agency has granted expedited processing under this subparagraph. Agency action to deny or affirm denial of a request for expedited processing pursuant to this subparagraph, and failure by an agency to respond in a timely manner to such a request shall be subject to judicial review under paragraph (4), except that the judicial review shall be based on the record before the agency at the time of the determination.

(iv) A district court of the United States shall not have jurisdiction to review an agency denial of expedited processing of a request for records after the agency has provided a complete response to the request.

(v) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "compelling need" means--

(I) that a failure to obtain requested records on an expedited basis under this paragraph could reasonably be expected to pose an imminent threat to the life or physical safety of an individual; or

(II) with respect to a request made by a person primarily engaged in disseminating information, urgency to inform the public concerning actual or alleged Federal Government activity.

(vi) A demonstration of a compelling need by a person making a request for expedited processing shall be made by a statement certified by such person to be true and correct to the best of such person's knowledge and belief.

(F) In denying a request for records, in whole or in part, an agency shall make a reasonable effort to estimate the volume of any requested matter the provision of which is denied, and shall provide any such estimate to the person making the request, unless providing such estimate would harm an interest protected by the exemption in subsection (b) pursuant to which the denial is made.

(b) This section does not apply to matters that are--

(1)(A) specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and (B) are in fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive order;

(2) related solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of an agency;

(3) specifically exempted from disclosure by statute (other than section 552b of this title), provided that such statute (A) requires that the matters be withheld from the public in such a manner as to leave no discretion on the issue, or (B) establishes particular criteria for withholding or refers to particular types of matters to be withheld;

(4) trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person and privileged or confidential;

(5) inter-agency or intra-agency memorandums or letters which would not be available by law to a party other than an agency in litigation with the agency;

(6) personnel and medical files and similar files the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;

(7) records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, but only to the extent that the production of such law enforcement records or information (A) could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings, (B) would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication, (C) could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, (D) could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a confidential source, including a State, local, or foreign agency or authority or any private institution which furnished information on a confidential basis, and, in the case of a record or information compiled by a criminal law enforcement authority in the course of a criminal investigation or by an agency conducting a lawful national security intelligence investigation, information furnished by a confidential source, (E) would disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, or would disclose guidelines for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions if such disclosure could reasonably be expected to risk circumvention of the law, or (F) could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual;

(8) contained in or related to examination, operating, or condition reports prepared by, on behalf of, or for the use of an agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial institutions; or

(9) geological and geophysical information and data, including maps, concerning wells.

Any reasonably segregable portion of a record shall be provided to any person requesting such record after deletion of the portions which are exempt under this subsection. The amount of information deleted shall be indicated on the released portion of the record, unless including that indication would harm an interest protected by the exemption in this subsection under which the deletion is made. If technically feasible, the amount of the information deleted shall be indicated at the place in the record where such deletion is made.

(c)(1) Whenever a request is made which involves access to records described in subsection (b)(7)(A) and--

(A) the investigation or proceeding involves a possible violation of criminal law; and

(B) there is reason to believe that (i) the subject of the investigation or proceeding is not aware of its pendency, and (ii) disclosure of the existence of the records could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings, the agency may, during only such time as that circumstance continues, treat the records as not subject to the requirements of this section.

(2) Whenever informant records maintained by a criminal law enforcement agency under an informant's name or personal identifier are requested by a third party according to the informant's name or personal identifier, the agency may treat the records as not subject to the requirements of this section unless the informant's status as an informant has been officially confirmed.

(3) Whenever a request is made which involves access to records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation pertaining to foreign intelligence or counterintelligence, or international terrorism, and the existence of the records is classified information as provided in subsection (b)(1), the Bureau may, as long as the existence of the records remains classified information, treat the records as not subject to the requirements of this section.

(d) This section does not authorize the withholding of information or limit the availability of records to the public, except as specifically stated in this section. This section is not authority to withhold information from Congress.

(e) On or before March 1 of each calendar year, each agency shall submit a report covering the preceding calendar year to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate for referral to the appropriate committees of the Congress. The report shall include--

(1) the number of determinations made by such agency not to comply with requests for records made to such agency under subsection (a) and the reasons for each such determination;

(2) the number of appeals made by persons under subsection (a)(6), the result of such appeals, and the reason for the action upon each appeal that results in a denial of information;

(3) the names and titles or positions of each person responsible for the denial of records requested under this section, and the number of instances of participation for each;

(4) the results of each proceeding conducted pursuant to subsection (a)(4)(F), including a report of the disciplinary action taken against the officer or employee who was primarily responsible for improperly withholding records or an explanation of why disciplinary action was not taken;

(5) a copy of every rule made by such agency regarding this section;

(6) a copy of the fee schedule and the total amount of fees collected by the agency for making records available under this section; and

(7) such other information as indicates efforts to administer fully this section.

The Attorney General shall submit an annual report on or before March 1 of each calendar year which shall include for the prior calendar year a listing of the number of cases arising under this section, the exemption involved in each case, the disposition of such case, and the cost, fees, and penalties assessed under subsections (a)(4)(E), (F), and (G). Such report shall also include a description of the efforts undertaken by the Department of Justice to encourage agency compliance with this section.

(e)(1) On or before February 1 of each year, each agency shall submit to the Attorney General of the United States a report which shall cover the preceding fiscal year and which shall include--

(A) the number of determinations made by the agency not to comply with requests for records made to such agency under subsection (a) and the reasons for each such determination;

(B)(i) the number of appeals made by persons under subsection (a)(6), the result of such appeals, and the reason for the action upon each appeal that results in a denial of information; and

(ii) a complete list of all statutes that the agency relies upon to authorize the agency to withhold information under subsection (b)(3), a description of whether a court has upheld the decision of the agency to withhold information under each such statute, and a concise description of the scope of any information withheld;

(C) the number of requests for records pending before the agency as of September 30 of the preceding year, and the median number of days that such requests had been pending before the agency as of that date;

(D) the number of requests for records received by the agency and the number of requests which the agency processed;

(E) the median number of days taken by the agency to process different types of requests;

(F) the total amount of fees collected by the agency for processing requests; and

(G) the number of full-time staff of the agency devoted to processing requests for records under this section, and the total amount expended by the agency for processing such requests.

(2) Each agency shall make each such report available to the public including by computer telecommunications, or if computer telecommunications means have not been established by the agency, by other electronic means.

(3) The Attorney General of the United States shall make each report which has been made available by electronic means available at a single electronic access point. The Attorney General of the United States shall notify the Chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight of the House of Representatives and the Chairman and ranking minority member of the Committees on Governmental Affairs and the Judiciary of the Senate, no later than April 1 of the year in which each such report is issued, that such reports are available by electronic means.

(4) The Attorney General of the United States, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall develop reporting and performance guidelines in connection with reports required by this subsection by October 1, 1997, and may establish additional requirements for such reports as the Attorney General determines may be useful.

(5) The Attorney General of the United States shall submit an annual report on or before April 1 of each calendar year which shall include for the prior calendar year a listing of the number of cases arising under this section, the exemption involved in each case, the disposition of such case, and the cost, fees, and penalties assessed under subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of subsection (a)(4). Such report shall also include a description of the efforts undertaken by the Department of Justice to encourage agency compliance with this section.

(f) For purposes of this section, the term "agency" as defined in section 551(1) of this title includes any Executive department, military department, Government corporation, Government controlled corporation, or other establishment in the executive branch of the Government (including the Executive Office of the President), or any independent regulatory agency.

(f) For purposes of this section, the term--

(1) "agency" as defined in section 551(1) of this title includes any executive department, military department, Government corporation, Government controlled corporation, or other establishment in the executive branch of the Government (including the Executive Office of the President), or any independent regulatory agency; and

(2) "record" and any other term used in this section in reference to information includes any information that would be an agency record subject to the requirements of this section when maintained by an agency in any format, including an electronic format.

(g) The head of each agency shall prepare and make publicly available upon request, reference material or a guide for requesting records or information from the agency, subject to the exemptions in subsection (b), including--

(1) an index of all major information systems of the agency;

(2) a description of major information and record locator systems maintained by the agency; and

(3) a handbook for obtaining various types and categories of public information from the agency pursuant to chapter 35 of title 44, and under this section.

* * * * *
Section 12. Effective Date [not to be codified].

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), this Act shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [March 31, 1997].

(b) Sections 7 and 8 shall take effect one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [October 2, 1997].

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Below is the full text of the statement issued by President Clinton upon signing the 1996 FOIA amendments into law on October 2, 1996:

I am pleased to sign into law today H.R. 3802, the "Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996."

This bill represents the culmination of several years of leadership by Senator Patrick Leahy to bring this important law up to date. Enacted in 1966, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was the first law to establish an effective legal right of access to government information, underscoring the crucial need in a democracy for open access to government information by citizens. In the last 30 years, citizens, scholars, and reporters have used FOIA to obtain vital and valuable government information.

Since 1966, the world has changed a great deal. Records are no longer principally maintained in paper format. Now, they are maintained in a variety of technologies, including CD ROM and computer tapes and diskettes, making it easier to put more information on-line.

My Administration has launched numerous initiatives to bring more government information to the public. We have established World Wide Web pages, which identify and link information resources throughout the Federal Government. An enormous range of documents and data, including the Federal budget, is now available on-line or in electronic format, making government more accessible than ever. And in the last year, we have declassified unprecedented amounts of national security material, including information on nuclear testing.

The legislation I sign today brings FOIA into the information and electronic age by clarifying that it applies to records maintained in electronic format. This law also broadens public access to government information by placing more material on-line and expanding the role of the agency reading room. As the Government actively disseminates more information, I hope that there will be less need to use FOIA to obtain government information.

This legislation not only affirms the importance, but also the challenge of maintaining openness in government. In a period of government downsizing, the numbers of requests continue to rise. In addition, growing numbers of requests are for information that must be reviewed for declassification, or in which there is a proprietary interest or a privacy concern. The result in many agencies is huge backlogs of requests.

In this Act, the Congress recognized that with today's limited resources, it is frequently difficult to respond to a FOIA request within the 10 days formerly required in the law. This legislation extends the legal response period to 20 days.

More importantly, it recognizes that many FOIA requests are so broad and complex that they cannot possibly be completed even within this longer period, and the time spent processing them only delays other requests. Accordingly, H.R. 3802 establishes procedures for an agency to discuss with requesters ways of tailoring large requests to improve responsiveness. This approach explicitly recognizes that FOIA works best when agencies and requesters work together.

Our country was founded on democratic principles of openness and accountability, and for 30 years, FOIA has supported these principles. Today, the "Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996" reforges an important link between the United States Government and the American people.

Re: i wonder if they are going to do away with world connect and make people pay for ancestry.com

CARLAPAGE81 — 2009-09-30 23:49:19Z

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.