State health board votes to open access to vital statistics records

In Iowa, state administrative rules have prevented genealogists from easily accessing old birth, death and marriage records.
Specifically, Calhoun County Recorder Kathy Jurries said last week, the rules don’t allow someone to call her office and ask for information about those records over the phone. People seeking the documents needed to go to the county where the information was recorded and make the request in person.
Or, retired Recorder Marty Minnick added, they can submit a request in writing. To do that, Minnick said, they have to specify their personal relationship to the person in the records being requested. Minnick, who still works for the department part-time, said she handles most of those genealogy requests. 
Read more in the Jan. 18 edition.