Hi Christy, I actually have the answer to your question because I had to find out the same thing myself. According to the nice helpful lady in the genealogy office, most preachers back then were circuit preachers who carried the records with them. So what you need to do (I haven't tried this yet but I plan on doing so soon) is to find out what denomination it was and contact that church's archives. She said if the church gives you problems then go to your local branch and maybe find a nice preacher to request them for you (I guess they can get them easier in some cases). I hope this helps--you'll have to let me know how it goes. Good Luck! Jess Subj: [OHGUERNS] courthouse/churches Date: 3/27/01 8:20:40 PM Central Standard Time From: CObermire@aol.com To: OHGUERNS-L@rootsweb.com Hope someone can answer this query... :0 If one cannot seem to find a court document on a marriage in a county or state, could that person have been only recorded in a church?? and if it was done in a church, does the church have to record their records to the state?? this would have been around 1847-1850... thank you, christy