I think the issue with LDS has to do with church records, not the civil records...those are a government control issue. Not sure if those are still being filmed or not... there are lists online of those government records that are damaged or destroyed.
I posted a few things on my blog about organizing and preservation of old records and photographas in personal collections. Everyone should develop contingency plans for all of their research as well as worrying about records in government or church control. There was a report of a German repository collapse today..no one hurt but no word on the condition of the massive collections of artifacts and records.

These governments should reconsider, if they are not letting their records get copied. In this day and age, you would think that they would be educated enough to know that once these records crumble ..thats it, they are gone. Also, if anything should happen to their orginals...fire, flood, etc..at least there are copies elsewhere.

I have my own records on cd. I make a new cd each year, plus my son has a copy in his safe. It wouldnt have made much sense for me to do all of this work and if there was a fire..all is lost. I would really love to have my son take my originals, since I dont have every single thing, in my computer. But, I need those in my house, since I still use them.

Maybe some of those who live in Italy would know...weren't some of the commune and provinces starting to copy/film their records? My husband thought I should ask in Itri if they would like copies when I finish extracting all the records I have access to. I know in some cases there is strong sentiment on citizen's part concerning privacy issues ..like the no photographing cemetary laws. But like you I hate to think of these precious records being lost..and it will impact folks trying for citizenship too, won't it?

Where I live I can't imagine them even considering filming the records. In one town the computer processor is so old it takes 15 minutes to print out an identity card and they can't afford to upgrade it! ANother town has one computer and printer for 3 clerks issuing certificates.
The storage conditions of most places would horrify you (as it does me). The library in one town is also the archives. I have never seen anyone there choosing books or studying. The chill in the room is at least 10 ° less than outside. There is no heat and the lighting is one energy saving bulb in a ceiling fixture (10 foot ceiling). I can't bring my own lamp as there is nowhere to plug it in and there is no window. I am so grateful I wear gloves to handle these documents, even though it isn't required, at least my hands stay warm for up to 2 hours.

Wow, thats an eye opener. Its all the more reason for them to accept the offer, if someone wants to film these things. I believe they give the town a copy of whatever they film. (At least thats what I was told, years ago by a member of the LDS).

You are right, they did give a copy to the State Archives back in the 1960's when they did the job. Nothing is easy here. The local Anagrafe operate under different privacy laws than the State Archives. They have major privacy concerns. I range from 'look at what you want and don't bother me (as long as I have the Mayors permission)' to 'you can't even look at the record or have a photocopy'. Most will give me a photocopy (rather than a certificate or extract) rather than let me take a digital photo. They consider it private no matter how old it is. The State Archives work on a 70 year privacy law that's why the LDS were able to do the deal.

Tragic news from Germany on just this question. This happened on Tuesday (3.3.09.) and this article demonstrates just how widely this will affect genealogical studies in the future...

>Archive building collapse - Cologne<

>Photo Gallery- 10 photos<

The world - and 'the Church' must really open their eyes to the fact that time is running out for man to save his heritage or see it lost forever due to ideaology.... I'm sorry, it just makes me SO mad!

I saw this on the news. The building wasnt even that old. Nobody will learn a thing from this..even if it is brought up to them.

People like the LDS are perfect, to presearve records like this because copies will be outside the archives. If anything happens to theirs, there is still another copy.

I think that people not interested in history, family or otherwise, dont even care..and many of these people are the keeper of the records..like the Italian priests. I am sure it never enters their minds, that all would be lost in a fire or some other disaster. I guess its not important to them.