This is in response to John and David's comments and questions about wills. I have not had access to any wills in Lebanon County but have in several other states and counties. I thought that the original will was taken to the court when the person died, and it was recorded (copied) into the records by the court clerk. I have read that wills where the signature was a 'mark' of some kind, that the clerk was suppose to copy the 'mark' as near as possible, but that otherwise he would write the signature. Then the original will was filed in the metal box file (can't remember what you call these) at the courthouse. If the loose records (papers in the metal boxes) were microfilmed then you could view an original will with the original signature. If the Probate Books were filmed, you would view the will as copied by the court clerk. I have seen some Maryland wills on microfilm that were from Probate Books that the German signatures looked authentic and wondered about them. Now I am eager to learn if they could be the actual signature. Please respond here, so we will all know. June