LEXINGTON, Ky. — History is in the hands of students like the University of Kentucky’s James Lin.
Lin is taking an independent study course with instructor and Fayette County Deputy County Clerk Shea Brown and learning firsthand how to capture records. He and three other students spend part of their time away from campus and at the clerk’s office, where they help define history’s preservation through the Digital Access Project (DAP).
“You have to know if you don’t take care of it, then nobody can ever see what’s on there again, ever.” Lin said. “No matter what happens to the book over hundreds of years, at least, this copy will be preserved and it’s, you know, and in the best quality that we can after 200 years.”
History is found in the same building as car registrations, licensing and elections. Brown said history draws people in. They can find copies of censuses, deeds, mortgages—all dating back to the 1700s.
In 2021, the clerk’s office began digitizing its records. Employees also began transcribing records to an online database so the public could have access.
“Look at the records. These are found in big books, large books, heavy books that are between 10 to 24 pounds,” Brown said.
Some books and records are beginning to fade and Brown says DAP is all about accessibility and preservation.
Brown said the project has led to more discoveries involving historical sites, such as the Henry Clay estate. The office is working with the estate to explore its Black history.
The project is also helping minority groups learn more about their heritage in Lexington.
“A common myth is that you cannot find African American genealogy, but that’s not always the case and not always true.” Brown explained.
A partnership between DAP and UK’s Commonwealth Institute of Black Studies and several other groups has led to 176 books and 91,000 pages being archived. Brown said the process makes history and artifacts timeless.
“Stories and the bad stories, the shameful stories and the grateful stories that we can see through these records. And the more you read through them and learn stories about people, it tends to bring joy to your heart both ways,” Brown said.