Wheeling Intelligencer August 9, 1906 VITAL AND SOCIAL STATISTICS >From the vital and social statistics compiled in the office of the Probate Judge from data furnished by the assessor we take the following figures: During the year ending March 31, last, there were 1567 births in the county; of these 837 were males and 730 females. There were 594 marriages. Death took 641, of these 353 were males and 288 females. The native born males numbered 316 and native born females 373. The largest number of foreign born persons were Germans and English came next. Persons naturalized numbered 43, of these 25 were from Austria, 5 from Russia, 3 from France, 2 from Ireland, and 2 from Italy. The others were scattered. During the year 42 letters of guardianship were issued, 68 wills were admitted to probate, 59 letters testamentary issued and 73 letters of administration issued. To the Athens Hospital 15 insane were sent and to the Columbus Hospital 13 were sent. Two persons were sent to the Reform School. Of the chief diseases there were 72 deaths due to tubercular diseases, 65 due to pneumonia, 30 to paralysis, and 74 cases of sudden death. NOTE: As I typed the above, my memory was triggered about something I learned at the courthouse in St. Clairsville, that might be of interest. My grandfather died when my father and uncle were still minors. It seems that in the past it was the custom, under such circumstances, to appoint a male guardian, even though the mother was still living. I asked about guardianship papers for such a case, and was told that they are sealed, just like adoption papers. Nancy