Files relating to the deaccessioning of materials from the NYC Department of Health to the NYC Municipal Archives and DORIS
| Submitted | Feb. 11, 2016 |
MuckRock users can file, duplicate, track, and share public records requests like this one. Learn more.
Communications
From: Reclaim The Records
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the New York State Freedom of Information Law (1977 N.Y. Laws ch. 933), I hereby request the following records:
I am requesting copies of all files related to the past, present, and future deaccessioning of materials from the NYC Department of Health to the NYC Municipal Archives and/or its parent agency, the NYC Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS).
For example, circa 1992, the following records were reportedly moved from the holdings of the Department of Health to the holdings of the Municipal Archives: NYC birth certificates from 1898-1909, NYC death certificates from 1929-1948, and NYC marriage certificates from the 1880's-1937. There are conflicting reports that some of those birth records might later have been returned to the Department of Health.
I have been unable to find any information as to whether this deaccessioning was a one-off event or was part of a broader policy. I am therefore interested in all information, policies, files, correspondence, e-mails, notes, memorandums, minutes of meetings, transcripts, rulings, budgets, expense reports, and any other records relating to the movement or proposed movement of files between the two agencies. I am also interested in any documents that may exist that discuss any current and future deaccession rules or plans regarding the transfer of any other records.
This request encompasses not only the original copies of the files, but also to any microfilmed versions, printed versions, extracted or indexed versions, or other versions that might now be or once have been in the possession of the Department of Health. It also refers to the transfer of legal rights or responsibilities or liabilities, not just to the transfer of physical materials.
I would prefer that the results of this request be provided electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM or USB drive if not. 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. The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
Please be advised that this FOIL request is being filed publicly through the website MuckRock.com, and all correspondence about this request will be immediately published to the general public.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Brooke Schreier Ganz
Founder, Reclaim The Records
https://www.ReclaimTheRecords.org/
From: Chari Anhouse
Dear Ms. Ganz:
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene acknowledges receipt of your Freedom of Information Law request and has assigned it the control number noted above. A search for responsive documents available to you under the law will be conducted and you should receive a response within 20 business days.
Thank you,
Chari Anhouse
Associate General Counsel/Records Access Officer
NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
General Counsel’s Office
42-09 28th Street, CN-31
Long Island City, NY 11101
347-396-6419
P
Please consider the environment before printing this email.
From: Chari Anhouse
Dear Ms. Ganz:
Please be advised that the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has not yet completed its search for and review of documents potentially responsive to your Freedom of Information Law request. We anticipate completing the process and having a response to you by April 22, 2016, and we apologize for the delay.
Thank you,
Chari Anhouse
Associate General Counsel/Records Access Officer
NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
General Counsel's Office
42-09 28th Street, CN-31
Long Island City, NY 11101
347-396-6419
P
Please consider the environment before printing this email.
Sent from the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. This email and any files transmitted with it may contain confidential information and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept for the presence of computer viruses.
From: Chari Anhouse
Dear Ms. Ganz:
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene ("DOHMH") has granted your Freedom of Information Law (NYS Public Officers Law Article 6, "FOIL") request insofar as we have responsive documents. With regard to your request concerning records transferred to the Municipal Archives in the 1990s, please be advised that no documents from that time period currently exist pursuant to the Department's Records Retention Schedule. The only record this agency has of hard copy document de-accessioning is a DOHMH database showing DOHMH documents in the possession of the NYC Department of Records and Information Services ("DORIS") destroyed between 2004 and 2011 pursuant to the DOHMH Record Retention Schedule. A printout of this database it attached. With regard to current record retention and management policy, attached please find Mayoral Directive No. 2015-3, issued November 24, 2015. DORIS is tasked as the lead City agency in this Directive.
Thank you,
Chari Anhouse
Associate General Counsel/Records Access Officer
NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
General Counsel's Office
42-09 28th Street, CN-31
Long Island City, NY 11101
347-396-6419
P
Please consider the environment before printing this email.
Sent from the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. This email and any files transmitted with it may contain confidential information and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept for the presence of computer viruses.
Files
pages