NOLA Clerks Turn To Internet to Boost Public Records Revenue

Faced with a slumping real estate market, more Louisiana clerks of court are moving public records to the Internet, both as a convenience and a way to shore up their bottom lines.

"It's expensive to do, but I'm hoping it generates a little revenue," said St. Charles Parish Clerk Charles Oubre, who plans to have court records online by September.

Parish clerks' offices are financed entirely by fees levied on legal transactions such as civil suits and real estate transfers. Many clerks have had to dip into surpluses to continue operating.

Read more here.

So Who Do You Think You Are?

From this week on, researching your family history will be much easier, thanks to the launch of the Public Record Office new website.

It has many new features and additions, such as researching family and local history, how to look after your own personal archives, including family photographs and documents, and introductions to private archives which give overviews and historical backgrounds.

The Arts and Culture Minister, Edwin Poots, who launched the website, said the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) had many fascinating records.

http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/fh/free/349260010536525.php

Crime Records Go Online

The record of John Rowland's conviction is now online for everyone to see.

Not Connecticut's former governor, who was convicted in federal court and not included in the state's new database of criminal convictions. Instead, everyone may learn that John Rowland, a Weston man in his early 80s, was fined $180 for speeding and failure to drive in the proper lane last year.

"I don't mind very much," said the elder Rowland, who is not related to the onetime governor. "The more information they put up, the less it means anything."

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-conviction2feb06,0,6735508.story

County Right to Put Reports About Restaurants Online

Governments should be putting more public records on the Web where people can see them.

A year from now, those who dine out in Camden County should be able to go online to see just how clean their favorite restaurants are. Do employees wash their hands enough? Is food waiting to be cooked kept at the right temperature to prevent germs from spreading?

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080115/OPINION/801150320/1046