Bob and List: I wonder if FHC has microfilmed these records. If so, it is an inexpensive method to obtain copies of records. I do understand that some counties in MS did not want FHC there microfilming for reasons best left unsaid which has added to the out-of-state researcher's dilemma. I think it is nice when referring to documents obtained from FHC film that we reference the film number for the benefit of others. Fortunately they have their index on line so those of us using the Net can access them from home and go to a one of their libraries and order up the film for researching. I have been able to obtain copies of marriage records for several family members in this manner. Some of these records are so old that they should not be handled except with gloved hands to protect them from contaminants. Very difficult problem for all of us. In Europe where records are ancient compared to American records, one must make an appointment with the archivist and read and copy the records either with a camera or handwritten and in the presence of the archivist. ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob Smith <papsmith@mail.com> To: <MISSISSIPPI-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, February 02, 2001 6:06 AM Subject: Re: [Would-be NOXUBEE CO. MS RESEARCHERS] > I have never been refused the service of coping old records from the > old books in any state I have done research in (MS, AL AR TX GA SC MO > IL) > > However I must say I think there are times that some of these old book > should be excluded from photo copying. Many of them are very fragile > and since must be opened wide and laid on the copy machine they are > easily damaged. I would hope that some day all these old records > could be microfilmed so that the books can be put in safe storage > (this is the original history of our heritage and our nation). There > are few Counties in the nation that can afford the cost of > microfilming all their old records. This could be a great project for > all local Historical and Genealogy groups. > > A couple of years ago I was in the Lowndes Co. AL courthouse which has > a wealth of records of the area from the early 1800's. I have never > seen a clerks office more courtios and willing to help, but I felt a > guilt when I left with copies I had requested and helped to make. > Each copy we made left fragments of the fragile and brittle pages on > the copy machine. > > Yes hand copying is a tough task, but remember these were handwritten > in the first place. It is time consuming and not all can spend the > time nor have a laptop computer as I do. This too is a wear and tear > on the old books, so lets work on getting them microfilmed, or else we > won't have them much longer. > > So much for the soap box. > > Robert Fleet "Pap" Smit III > Victoria, TX > > "He who careth not whence he cometh, > careth little whither he goeth" > Daniel Webster > > ------Original Message------ > From: Eugenia <genaerber@usa.net> > To: MISSISSIPPI-L@rootsweb.com > Sent: February 1, 2001 3:08:58 PM GMT > Subject: Re: [Would-be NOXUBEE CO. MS RESEARCHERS] > > > 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." > > 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 make 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, 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 that county, the Circuit Clerk and her > deputies in Noxubee County is 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 > > > ==== MISSISSIPPI Mailing List ==== > Visit the Mississippi-L Website at http://www.rootsweb.com/~mississi > where you can both SUBSCRIBE and UNSUBSCRIBE with a click of the > mouse. > > ============================== > Create a FREE family website at MyFamily.com! > http://www.myfamily.com/banner.asp?ID=RWLIST2 > > > ______________________________________________ > FREE Personalized Email at Mail.com > Sign up at http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup > > > ==== MISSISSIPPI Mailing List ==== > Visit the Mississippi-L Website at http://www.rootsweb.com/~mississi > where you can both SUBSCRIBE and UNSUBSCRIBE with a click of the mouse. > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry's Library - The best collection of family history > learning and how-to articles on the Internet. > http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library >