Dear Suzanne:

Common ethics and practice permits bona fide researchers to look at
records, however, they must never identify a person by name or other
identifiers.  When I am through with records (sure that I won't have
to go back) I routinely go through and eliminate last names.

I read the records of the Thomas Indian School at the State Archives
in Albany.  Before I was permitted to look at the records I signed
some sort of document pledging to keep confidentiality and attesting
that I was a bona fide researcher, and had a purpose for looking at
the records.

Do you have any interesting records regarding orphanages?  I look
forward to hearing from you.

Eve P. Smith, DSW


Do these records present any particular legal confidentiality or privacy
issues?
**********************************************
Suzanne Etherington
NYS Archives & Records Administration
Region 6 Advisory Officer
Binghamton State Office Building, Room 1606
44 Hawley Street
Binghamton, NY  13901-4406
Voice: 607/721-8428
Fax: 607/721-8431
Email: [log in to unmask]