Thought I'd weigh in myself on this subject. I've only been to the IL State Archives a few times, the last time a few years ago, and have also been to the MI State Library. Anyone who hasn't been there doesn't realize how many people go through those doors every day. Most do their own research, but many times I've had to wait in line to ask a simple question because the staffers are so busy. I think it's very reasonable to charge for research the staffers have to do. There are too many of us and far too few of them. After all, if I had to hire a private researcher I would have to pay far more. Also a word for the county clerks: All the small town clerks I've had dealings with have been very kind and let me have my way with their land records, early marriage books, etc. The Pike Co. one did request that we not visit on Mondays, since that was their busy day for regular county court business. I hope they have installed a copy machine for genealogists to use since I was there. I'm sure I was in their way while I was copying reams of probate papers on their copier, but they were very gracious about it. Any way, these record keepers are way understaffed for the extra, unanticipated growth in the pursuit of genealogy in the last 5 years, so let's give them all a cheer for the help they do give us. Jeannie Smith\ CC for Greene Co. IL on ILGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilgreene/green.htm

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Sorry about the previous message. I sometimes get a little slap happy and hit the send button rather than the back button. My apologies to this list. Debbi Geer __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes.yahoo.com/