IDGenWeb consists of volunteers working together to provide internet websites for genealogical research in every county in the state. The Project is non--commercial and all work is done on a volunteer basis. Transcription projects, whether on the county or state level, are completely funded by the individuals involved in the project. Some of these websites often include "extras", that have been transcribed and made available by volunteers. Keep in mind that many of the county coordinators and transcribers do not live in the county or state and do not have access to these resources.
Some general information about United States Copyright law, census records, and how it affects what information is available on GenWeb Projects.
There is also information on copyright for genealogy by Michael Goad. Copyright Fundamentals for Genealogy
Works published before 1904 are in the public domain (out-of-copyright/copyright expired), that is, they are no longer protected by a copyright.
For works published in the years 1904 through 1963, a copyright expiration 75 years after the copyright date is assumed. This is done because of numerous changes to the copyright laws, the lengthy search required through US Copyright Office records to determine whether a copyright renewal was submitted, and the search required to determine the ownership of a copyright, all of which are beyond the scope of GenWeb Project county coordinators can do.
For works published in the years 1964 through 1977, a copyright lasts for 75 years from date of publication.
Generally, for works created on or after January 1, 1978, a copyright lasts for seventy years beyond the life of the work's author, after which it lapses into public domain. If the work is prepared by two or more authors (a "joint work"), its copyright lasts for seventy years after the last surviving author dies. For works made for hire, and for anonymous and pseudonymous works (unless the author's identity is revealed in Copyright Office records), the duration of copyright will be 95 years from first publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter. Works in existence but not published or registered for copyright on January 1, 1978 are also given this same protection, and are guaranteed at least 25 years of protection.
To all visitors to our IDGenWeb Projects: Please be aware that the information contained on any state or county level sites, including webpage design, databases and images, belongs to the submitter, unless otherwise noted. It may be freely copied for your personal use. "Borrowing" design, databases or images without first receiving permission for use on another website can be considered copyright infringement, as well as discourteous. If you find something of value on these pages that you want to use, please LINK to the page, do not copy it and put it on your own site. We would like to think we are generous folks, so if you find something you would like to use, please contact the submitter of the information or the County Coordinator for that county.
Please check the USGenWeb Project Copyright Information page for more information.
Page updated December 2023
Please, If you would like to add resources, if you know of something that should be linked here or if you have any problems using this website contact us.
Temp Coordinator - Randy Cummings
State Coordinator - Kerry A Hairston