On Sat, 29 Dec 2001 20:58:19 -0700 "Carol S." <aceso225@flash.net> writes: > If anyone has an Allegheny Will Book Index for years 1870-1880 I'd > appreciate a look-up for BARNARD GARAHAN-GARRAHAN. TIA Carol S. Does one exist for those years? I know of the Closson Index to Wills 1789-1869, and Helen Harriss's Will Abstracts 1789-1844, but of nothing later. The Closson Index just gives you a volume and page number and year for each person's name. The Will Abstracts book actually abstracts each Will and gives you the executor, who bequests were made to, and any other pertinent genealogy facts contained in the Will. The index not only indexes the deceased but anyone mentioned in every Will. Of course if a person did not have the forsight to write a Will then it will not be in the Will books or indexes. But they could still have a probate packet in the Register of Wills office. These are well worth looking into also as they would contain an inventory of goods and if they were sold, who to (typically other relatives and neighbors). They list the goods down to each chamber pot and family bible. You can also see what trade your ancestor may have engaged in by way of what tools he owned. To access these records, as with any courthouse, you could write to the Register of Wills to see what their research policy is. The Allegheny County Register of Wills has a very nice website also. Or you could go down to the office yourself, or hire a local researcher to do it for you. Hope that helps. -- Elissa ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.