Bill Roach stated: "I would be interested to know which happens more often, county courthouse records being lost to flood or fire."

I can say with some certainty that in Texas it is now flood, but in the past it was fire. The only comprehensive study I am aware of is James F. Starr's "Statement of Records Burnt, Missing, Etc. and Date of Qualification of the First Recorder, in the Organized Counties of Texas" compiled in 1885 and a typescript update bringing it up to about 1900. It includes a lot of fires but (I believe) only one storm. 

In more recent times, with the prevalence of masonry buildings and vaults, loss by fire is uncommon. In the 40 years I've been involved in Texas County Records, the only fire I can recall was the 1993 Hill County Courthouse fire--but it was a doozy. Meanwhile, there have been records throughout Texas destroyed or damaged by water ranging from storm flooded basements to leaky water pipes.

Paul R. Scott, CA, CRM
Records Management Officer
Harris County, TX
713 274-7740

Under the Texas Public Information Act written communications to or from public employees may be considered to be public records and may be made available to the public and the media upon request.  This e-mail and any replies may be subject to public disclosure.

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