This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: goneresearching Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newyork.counties.dutchess/9707.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: For those that had wills that died in Dutchess County, you can check for yourself at www.sampubco.com They have transcribed the index to the will books for those that died with wills. If you find your name/person it will give your the volume and page number. You can order/rent the microfilm of the book you need from the nearest Latter Day Saints (Mormon) with a Family History Center for about 6 something a microfilm OR pay sampub to copy the pages for you. (It is free to look at their transcribed index and can save a step in ordering microfilm.) For those without wills (and even with wills) you can order the index book for the surrogate records from the nearest LDS Family History Library. This index even gives the probate packet number for any papers which if they exist for your person (will or no will) you can then order/rent the microfilm that has that probate packet on it. All without leaving home and at less cost than doing it and getting copies at the probate office in Dutchess. A lot of times the copies will be better via microfilm because they were filmed 20 years ago or more when the paper was less aged. And sometimes you run across something the probate office deems to fragile to copy. There's a lot of good record sources filmed by the LDS that if they weren't filmed would only be available onsite in Dutchess County (or whichever area you are searching) . Do try to take a trip to enjoy the area and see/go to things you can't get to via internet if you can. Using the records filmed by the LDS can make you more informed before you get there. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.