About RPAC

Mission Statement: To advise the genealogical community on ensuring proper access to historical records of genealogical value in whatever media they are recorded, on means to affect legislation, and on supporting strong records preservation policies and practices.

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) and the National Genealogical Society (NGS) have agreed to a combined effort to address these issues through the Records Preservation and Access Committee. This cooperative venture is intended to advise the genealogical and historical communities, as well as other interested parties, on ensuring proper access to vital records, on means to effect legislation, and on supporting strong records preservation policies and practices.

Records are always at risk of accidental or scheduled destruction. Today, many additional problems threaten access to the documents and collections that hold our genealogical, medical, and social history. Funding cuts resulting from budget crises, large scale natural disasters, as well as rapidly changing technology adding to the existing problems of preserving and maintaining access to records.

FGS and NGS cannot solve all these complex issues, but are acting to help coordinate the efforts of individuals and societies who can have a tremendous impact on these problems. The effective response to access and preservation challenges are usually from the individuals who vote and pay taxes in the specific locality. YOU, individually, and the genealogical societies of which YOU are a member, can make the difference on these issues in your area.