FamilySearch Indexing (Massachusetts Department of Correction)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

Policies, procedures and/or documents pertaining to indexing for FamilySearch, otherwise known as Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or FamilySearch International, a genealogical non-profit operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) by inmates within facilities run by the Massachusetts Department of Correction. This includes any documents regarding Family History Centers operated within such facilities, and any documents referencing LDS Correctional Services, a division of LDS. Examples of such documents include contracts between the Massachusetts Department of Correction and FamilySearch, often called a "Memorandum of Understanding," with an attachment describing FamilySearch's assistance.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

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. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

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

Sincerely,

Burkely Hermann

Ms. Silvia,
Thank you for responding. I am not surprised to see you do not have any responsive records to my records request, but I thought I would check anyway, as specifics of FamilySearch's prison indexing program across the U.S. are not completely clear. With that, thanks again for looking through your records.

Best regards,
Burkely Hermann