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Strafford County officials press to keep local probate records after proposed move to Concord archives
Summary
County registry staff raised concerns that probate files and century-old index cards could be moved to an archives in Concord, reducing local access for title examiners; commissioners offered to host the records locally and agreed to send a formal letter requesting retention or in-county access.
Kathy, a registry office representative, told the Board that "the probate records in the court across the hall from the registered deeds, may be moved to the archives." She said that title examiners and abstractors had contacted her with concerns and that retaining at least the early index cards in-county—some dating to the early 1900s—would preserve timely public access for title searches.
Commissioners discussed options and one commissioner suggested the county could offer office space to keep the records locally: "we we offer our space to house it," the commissioner said. Kathy said she would draft a follow-up letter to the administrative court judge and to the clerk, and commissioners asked county staff to copy the county delegation. No formal vote was taken at this meeting; commissioners agreed to coordinate a letter and to request written input from local title examiners as part of the outreach.
Why it matters: moving original probate files to a state archives in Concord could require local residents and researchers to travel for records or rely on county offices to retain copies or indexes. Commissioners framed the action as preserving public access and agreed to pursue intergovernmental coordination and written requests to keep records in-county or ensure easy access.
Speakers quoted: Kathy (registry office); Commissioner (unnamed).
