It seems that it is appropriate to solicit help to move ahead. While we are also soliciting help on site, we need participation by those who do not have the time to volunteer work, to participate in the funding of the different projects. PLEASE, DO NOT SEND MONEY at this time, but we would like to know who may be willing to donate monies to the respective projects. Others may want to designate contributions to a “general fund”, which would be used on projects as the Association deems most appropriate. For example if we only had 80% of the required funds to initiate a proposed project in, for example, Emanuel County, GA, we might could pull the 20% from the “general fund”, giving us the necessary funds to proceed with that project. If you are among those who would like to volunteer in a County records project, please us in the following format.
Send us an e-mail and say in the “subject” line, for example; “Yes, $50 Emanuel Co project”. That way I can see the totals committed to a project without opening each e-mail. Specify a specific project or the general project fund. Again, send no money at the time, but do not make a commitment to a project that you cannot keep.
As mentioned by some, there are grants available that could possibly fund an entire project. Unfortunately, I do not have the time to also take on another project, just to obtain a grant for each imaging project. That is another project by itself. If anyone would like to take on the responsibility and assignment to apply for and obtain a grant for the cost of a project, I, as president of the Association, may designate that person to represent us for the purpose of obtaining it. One person mentioned a grant in Georgia offered by the Georgia Power Company, which would deal with only projects in the state.
Potential Imaging and Indexing Projects:
Isle of Wight County, Virginia – A large collection dating back to 1634. Six week stay is anticipated + (min 1200 miles of travel) Funds anticipated- approximately $5,000+
Emanuel County, Georgia – Collection dates back to 1812. Twenty five to thirty day stay anticipated + 400 miles travel. Funds anticipated - approximately $3,000
Montgomery County, Georgia – Collection dates back to 1793. Thirty to forty day stay anticipated + 400 miles travel. Funds anticipated - approximately $3,500
General Fund - Funds provided here can be used on any of the potential projects at the discretion on the Association. Donor should specify “general fund”.
Bear in mind, that these are estimates. The actual time and therefore cost can be impacted by pages that have to be numbered before imaging, and separate or loose papers.
While he are prohibited from our own rules from charging for access to the records, since the Southampton County Project is bringing in nearly 20,000 hits per day. It is conceivable that advertisements on the site may someday be sufficient to support future projects. Right now however, we have to find a way to proceed.
NOTE: If one wants to donate, but not be named or given credit for the donation, please so advise. Otherwise the name and amount may be shown on the site.
Know that the Brantley Association is not a charitable organizations and donation are NOT deductible on income tax returns
Indexing:
In our first project, I was able to oversee the indexing and editing of the one millions names indexed. The indexing was assured before imaging. Indexing in the future is going to occur based on the participation of volunteers a Indexing Project Manager who will oversee the respective county project. We are building a indexing program now that will allow for the indexer to download files from the WEB and index without the constant formatting and processing of the manager. We do expect great things from this program which will be the first such program presented on line. Indexing all records imaged is still the underlying objective.
- J. Kenneth Brantley
