Try finding a Museum that has a Bible Collection, a record in the family Bible is just as good as the Birth Certificate. I had to do this in Virginia. Also some Museums have very good collection of Documents and Records that have been donated by families. Only place some records can be found, after the Courthouse fires. Carla in Oregon leighton@pacifier.com ---- Original Message ----- From: "Amy Robbins-Tjaden" <atjaden@mindspring.com> To: <INDIANA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2001 6:02 PM Subject: [INDIANA] birth certificate for 1884 It was a major letdown today when I received a letter from the Marshall Co (IN) Health Department saying they couldn't find my ancestor's birth certificate (he was born in 1884) so they would be unable to provide me with a copy. I'm unfamiliar with doing family research in Indiana and don't know whether I should take this as a solid sign that a birth certificate for my ancestor doesn't exist anywhere or whether it just means the Health Dept doesn't have a copy but I might find one somewhere else. I would be grateful for any hints, advice, faxed chocolate-chip cookies (for consolation), etc. Amy Robbins-Tjaden atjaden@mindspring.com Researching Melvin and Lillian BURDEN ROBBINS in Marshall and LaPorte counties, Indiana. ==============================