Another researcher may have more to add to my note but just wanted to say that death records may or may not be available for certain locations. In the mid west, records were started in the late 1800's but in the south, I don't think it was even mandatory for the local governments to maintain records until after about 1910 or 1920. If you research through the LDS Family History Center, you may want to check to see whether there are records listed in the Library Catalog. The library catalog is online however, I prefer to use the microfiche where I actually research even though its not up to date any more. I haven't quite figured out how to use the computerized system. My only experience with death records is in my Alabama research. There, the records were found under the topic, Alabama and then Death Records. You may also be able to obtain the records (if one exists) through a state agency like the Department of Health. However, keep in mind that they are expensive to obtain, the agency may state up front that they will only search a limited "time frame" and they don't refund money. So, if you don't mind taking the chance, then this may be a good way to get the records. However, I don't completely trust clerks to do my research and I don't have much money to spend so I usually look for the microfilm and research it myself. Another possibility: if death records exist for the time in which your ancestor died, and the microfilm is available through the LDS you can pay them to locate the record. However, they will only research known information so you still need to know whether the record exists. For that information you need to find the index. Also, the local health department may have maintained death before state records were started so don't forget to check both state and local agencies. I was fortunate to find a death record for my gg grandmother in the Jefferson County (AL.) Health Department (1900) but it didn't contain any information besides date and cause of death. I don't even know for sure it was the right Susan Harris. Old records are sometimes unpredictable. Kristina Harris