Deed research is easy in the courthouse, the vault is through the Clerk of Courts office. There's no assistance. The index books are fairly good, though sometimes indicate the wrong class of deed, hence the wrong deed book, and I've found errors which the clerks haven't been interested in correcting. Deeds are on microfilm in the library a block west of the courthouse up to about 1900. There are other decent references on the genealogy shelves in the library. The library isn't open early mornings. There is a 1900 plat map framed on the wall in one of the offices, and an about 1850 (not dated) plat book in the deeds vault in the courthouse. They will copy deeds for a buck a deed, but they aren't gentle to the books. Copies from microfilm are a quarter a page at the library and help preserve the original books a bit longer. Probate records from the 19th century are on microfilm in the library, organized by last name. I've not tried to chase probate records in the courthouse. The historical society home is about a block north of the courthouse in what used to be the county jail. Open on Tuesdays, if I recall correctly. Meets one evening a month. Weather at the end of February can vary wildly, though its likely averaging in the 40s and 50s, but can vary from a foot of snow to 70. And make that change in a day. I've found parking to be most convenient in the city hall lot a block west of the courthouse. Gerald J. -- Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson. Reproduction by permission only.