Hi, A good source for the general rules for most holdings in most states and their individual counties is given in Everton's "Handy Book for Genealogists" or similar publications. Usually, publications with this information are difficult to locate, because they are not widely known. Other sources would be individual web sites. The policies for what records may be available might be posted on the NC Archives website, which I have as: http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/ The general rule of thumb is that you can obtain a copy of marriage records: - after 1962 from the Dept. of Human Resources, Vital Records Branch (after 1930 for deaths) - ater 1910 from the County Courthouse - after 1820 from the NC Archives - it is assumed that most NC marriage records prior to 1820 have not survived. Helpful hints: I ALWAYS try to avoid handling original records WHENEVER POSSIBLE. Some original records are in perilous condition, and should not be touched at all. Some County Courthouses have policies that folks cannot photocopy them under any circumstances. For example, I have handled court records in Virginia that were restored at a cost of $1,500.00 per book, I think the figure was. In cases where the County no longer lets you photocopy, they usually either have photocopies on microfilm OR they encourage you to get photocopies from the State Archives. (The Archives usually carry photocopies on microfilm.) Also, the LDS libraries may be able to get a photocopy for you. Finally, it is usually cheaper to obtain copies from individual County Courthouses. If you have a number of records that you need copies of, then it is even cheaper to get your photocopies from microfilm by sitting down at the microfilm reader and doing the copying yourself. - Dave RE: On 03-Nov-00, BRN2ROAM@aol.com wrote: >Good Morning, >Would anyone care to comment on the appropriate NC guidelines for where to >write for copies of marriage certificates? Is there a rule of thumb, so to >speak, that all those before a date certain are only in the county courthouse >while those after that date are in the archives in Raleigh? >Thanks in advance for any assistance you may provide. >Happy hunting. ============================================================ Dave Hamm Novi, Michigan email: odon@mail.oeonline.com URL: http://www.oeonline.com/~odon/HamCountry/HAMCountry.html ============================================================