This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Clift, Spong, Cox Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AY.2ADE/1043.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Thank you for answering my questions. In fact, over the last few days, another kind Californian went into the Register's Office and checked on a marriage between Perl Clift and Edith Mae (Spong) Cox--and didn't find anything! However, the answers to the questions are: (1) The marriage index is public, in that you don't have to be a direct descendant to obtain information. (2) Only the Office staff accesses the index, but they will do the lookups while you wait. You can also transcribe the info yourself if you don't want to get a certified copy. I hope this information helps someone else.