City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MAY 16, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: GREG PARKS, CLERK OF COURT
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of Submission of a Grant Application for a Circuit Court Records Preservation Program, Item Conservation Grant from the Library of Virginia.
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ISSUE: Consideration of Submission of a Grant Application for a Circuit Court Records Preservation Program, Item Conservation Grant from the Library of Virginia (LVA).
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve a grant application totaling $40,348.50, to the Library of Virginia. The amount awarded has been determined by the Library of Virginia Grants Review Board which consists of LVA historical and conservation experts along with four Circuit Court Clerks; and
2. Authorize the City Manager and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The Alexandria Circuit Court is the Court of Record for Alexandria. As such, its records are the permanent chronicles of many important events in the city. The Clerk of Court is the legal custodian of these records and is charged by the Virginia Code to protect and preserve them, and to provide public access. These records include such things as land transactions, marriage licenses, wills and trusts, military discharge records, and criminal and civil judgements issued by the court. From a historical standpoint, many of these documents are invaluable for they show who lived in Alexandria, where they lived, where they did business, and for the antebellum records, even the buying and selling of human beings both in slavery and indentured servitude. Preserving these records enables us and future generations to know our forbearers through some of the most important events in their lives.
DISCUSSION: The Libra...
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