Summary: In pre-digital times, before photocopying and carbon paper, communications sent elsewhere did not always leave behind a true copy, or any copy. this particularly a pity when it comes to the "reports" sent to Rome, throuh the centuries, by successive holders of the office of Custos of the Holy Land. Those provide much detail about the Franciscan missionaries of the Holy Land and much else besides. The Archivist of the Custody shares here some of what is known about those "reports", and gives indications as to where some of them may be found.