DEAR ABBY: Regarding "Mike in Texas," who wanted to know how to dispose of his Bible:
There are book repair shops that rebind and re-cover books and Bibles. My parents' rebound Bible is one of my most treasured possessions.
Most Bibles contain blank pages to record births, baptisms, marriages and deaths. If civil records are lost or destroyed, the Bible is accepted as proof in most states.
When my sister became eligible for Social Security, I took my parents' Bible to the records department in the courthouse. The clerk testified to the authenticity of the old Bible, and my sister's claim was approved.
Also, when tracing our roots, a family Bible can be invaluable. -- MONICA KOEPPL EHRLICHMAN, TACOMA, WASH.