Request for Preemption Claim Records

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

Access to the three volumes of records of "Preemption Claims" in Alameda County dating from 1853-1872 (2 volumes 17" x 12" x 2", 470 pages) plus index volume (18.5" x 12.5" x 1", 206 pages); (there was one duplicate volume covering 1853-1862) as described in the "Inventory of the County Archives of California: No. 1, Alameda County, Vol II, page 74). Informal attempts to gain access to the records from the Clerk-Recorder's Office have not been fruitful over a period of several months. Contra Costa County has digitized these records and they are readily available to the public. Microfilm records would be acceptable if they are legible and if the Clerk-Recorder's Office can make available for my use a microfilm reader that is functional (one 16 mm reader has been recently repaired at my request, as of a week ago the 35 mm reader was still broken). At a minimum, I would like to see all Preemption Land Claims in Castro Valley from 1853-1864. Since it is very difficult to determine the location of most early Preemption Claims, the most expedient way (probably the only way) of fulfilling this request it to make the original volumes or copies available for my inspection.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Richard J Kelly