My genealogist contacted the Ohio Genealogical Society about the lunacy records and here is the answer that she got: Ohio Revised Code closes mental and adoption records. It is up to the judge as far as opening any older materials. Many do. ORC, as far as I know, doesn't place a type limit on the closure. I had a case packet 1850 in Wayne County marked "mental" that they would never let me see. Then when LDS came in and filmed the packets, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was on their films acquired from Salt Lake City. I nice letter to the probate judge asking for his permission for you to view and photocopy material from this particular 1880s case would be a place to start. Say it is for genealogical purposes, how you or your client is related, that it is 1880s and the person involved and all their children are deceased, etc. Usually they are pretty good about this. Thanks. Tom Neel, Library Director Ohio Genealogical Society Thanks for all the help on the Hamilton County, OH board! This is one of the best mailing lists on all of Rootsweb! Sincerely, Susan E. Davis Searching for Bartling, Nieske, Neske, Schanon, and Shannon in Cincinnati, Ohio in the 1800s