Hi, Pat, Welcome to Preston. Given half a chance my wife would have us move back there!!! You wrote > I've just discovered that the County Record Office in Preston doesn't have the GRO index's > Where do I go to look at them? The simple reason is that they are available in the Harris Library in the town centre. Before family history became as popular as it is today, the Harris Library started to buy the film/fiche and so it continued to build its collection as and when money was available for the benefit of its users. The Lancashire Record office on the other hand is concerned with the preservation and conservation of records, rather than printed or duplicated material. When the two institutions became part of the same authority in 1972, it would have been seen as a waste of public money to duplicate this provision. This also happens in reverse in Manchester. The main Manchester Library, Manchester Central Library, has a big collection of local and family history material, but NOT the General Register Office Indexes - because the Greater Manchester Record Office has purchased them. Have a look at the Reference Library in the Harris Library, you will be surprised at its holdings. Hope this helps Jim Lancaster (Bury, Lancs.) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Patrick Molloy" <patrick@windflower.eclipse.co.uk> To: <ENG-LANCS-PRESTON-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, May 07, 2004 12:12 PM Subject: GRO Indexs.