History Buffs Take Note.....
Earliest official copy of Declaration identified at state archives

ATLANTA (January 18, 2007) - "This is certainly one for the history books," exclaimed Secretary of State Karen Handel, announcing today that an alert employee at the Georgia Archives has identified the earliest known official copy of the Declaration of Independence recorded in the State of Georgia.

   Greg Jarrell was looking for information to help a patron locate her Revolutionary War ancestor when he noticed a unique index entry:

   Declaration of the Independence of the United States. "I tracked down the original book and turned to the page and found that it was the Declaration as officially recorded by the state in 1777," said Mr. Jarrell.

   At the end of the familiar text are the names of all the signers of the Declaration along with these words: "In Congress, Jan. 1777 Ordered:

   That an authenticated copy of the Declaration of Independence with the names of the members of Congress subscribing the same, be sent to each of the United States and that they be desired to have the same put on record. By Order of Congress, John Hancock, President Recorded 2nd March 1777."

   According to archives director, David Carmicheal, the recorded copy is especially significant because the state's original copy of the Declaration was lost long ago. "When Georgia officials received their copy of the Declaration from Congress, they immediately recorded it in their books as the official record of the event. After that, they would have considered the original to be less important."

   According to Carmicheal, the document was overlooked because it was in a book that was rebound around sixty years ago. "The people who rebound the book put the wrong title on the cover. No one thought to look in this particular volume for such a document."

   Excited about the discovery of this historic document, Secretary Handel stated, "The state archives holds over 250 million documents, so it's not surprising that we make exciting discoveries from time to time, but this one is particularly significant. The Declaration now joins the Royal Charter as one of our state's most important historical documents."

   The Georgia Archives Division of Secretary of State Karen Handel's Office is located in Morrow. Their mission is to identify, select, preserve, and make accessible records that constitute Georgia's recorded history. They also house records for Georgia and local governments through their retention period. Through their work, they are committed to finding innovative and effective ways to protect the rights and documentary heritage of the people of Georgia.