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Privacy question



I need advice on privacy issues.  The Circus World Museum archives contains
employment cards from a circus for approx. 1935-1956.  The cards have
information such as birth dates, Social Security numbers, Federal Ins.
numbers (I assume this is an earlier name for Social Security numbers),
State Ins. numbers, addresses, next of kin, marriage status, dependents,
what work was performed, and salary.  What of this information should be
kept confidential?  Usually the information is for genealogical purposes,
but in this case we are looking for obituary materials about a sideshow
employee from 1937-38.  Apparently his "next of kin" was a legal office, and
we assume he was under guardianship.  Is this guardianship a privacy issue?
Is there a cut off date when such information becomes public?  Should we
remove the Federal Insurance number?  He was probably African American (hard
to tell from the photos) in case that makes a difference.

Sorry to pose such a basic issue.  The circus who provided the cards did not
provide any guidance on how to handle them.   I fear we've been winging it,
but don't want to continue if we could run into serious trouble.

Thanks for any help!  Please respond to me at the address below.

Sincerely,

Erin Foley
Archivist
Circus World Museum
550 Water Street
Baraboo, WI  53913

608-356-8342, ext. 3283
fax 608-355-7959
efoley.cwm@baraboo.com

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