WARNING TO OTHER RESEARCHERS!!!! This is to forewarn and maybe save time and trouble, researchers needing information from probate records in Noxubee Co. MS. A congenial deputy clerk showed me to the record room. I had done my homework and knew book and page of the instruments needed. I proceeded to locate the old book which contained the Will of my gr-gr-gr-grandfather Brown, consisting of four pages of that book. I took the book to the deputy and explained I would like to get a copy of that instrument, and she turned to the Chancery Clerk, Mary Shelton and told her what I had requested. Ms. Shelton then in a very condescending manner informed me they did not make copies of these old records because the books cannot be taken apart as the more modern books do. Gasping with disbelief, I asked how I would go about getting a copy of this instrument, and she shrugged and said "I don't know unless you bring a camera and make a copy of it." I explained I have been researching in Courthouses for about 50 years and have never encountered this problem. After a long discussion, she finally agreed to makde copies of those four pages, but told me she would not make any further copies from the old books. Needless to say, there was little reason for me to spend time looking at more records, which incidentally, are probably the more disorganized I have encountered. To save others who travel even further distances than I in the expectation of getting copies of your ancestors probate records, I suggest you take a camera, or prepare to spend endless hours hand copying what you need. I do not understand how an elected public official can refuse to allow copies to be made of public records, but Ms. Mary Shelton did! However, to be fair to the people of Noxubee County, the Circuit Clerk and her deputies in Noxubee County as among the most cordial and cooperative that I have met anywhere. Have other researchers found the same conditions in the Chancery Clerk's office in Noxubee County? I have dealt with and communicated with the Genealogical Society in that county for several years, and they are always pleasant and helpful. Seems if we need copies of these old probates, we will have to have an expensive camera or wait until the people in that county can have another election!!!!! I trust this warning will be of help to other researchers. Eugenia ____________________________________________________________________ Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1 ____________________________________________________________________ Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1