Hi Everyone, There were several incidents in Monterey County's history that have had a permanent impact on the county's record keeping. In 1875, the Tax Assessor was charged with tax embezzlement. To cover up his crime, the man set fire to the courthouse. Most records survived, but there aare some gaps due to the fire. In 1915, the incumbent Tax Assessor was not re-elected. He got so angry about losing that he destroyed all tax records in his office for the years 1890 to 1915. Records for the years 1850-1889 and 1916 to the present are intact. The first batch is at the Monterey County Historical Society and the newer ones are still at the county courthouse. In more recent years, a county employee removed the county's naturalization papers from their proper place at the courthouse and refused to return them to the county. No one knows why they were removed or why they have not been returned. Hope this helps, Anita C. Monterey County