Don't hit "reply" - you'll get me & I'm just the messenger! - Diane I am sharing this message, which was posted to another list, because I've never seen this topic covered before. The question was about obtaining the trial transcripts for ancestors who ended up in court. The person asking the question had heard of the LEXIS/NEXIS database. Here's the answer: =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I'm in the legal profession in Texas, but I would assume that Ohio would handle things similarly. A transcript of the trial can only be obtained from the Courthouse. Simply go the Court and request a copy. If interested, you can also look through the file on the case (which may provide some additional information that wasn't allowed to be brought up at the trial). LEXIS/NEXIS is indeed a legal database and you are charged by the minute for its use. Westlaw is another legal database that also charges by the minute. But, I would not suggest using either of these on-line databases - because the same information is available free in any law library and, likely, the information is not what you will want anyway. The information available on-line only lists a brief factual background of the case and then goes into the legal argument/analysis and findings for the case. Useful for lawyers, but not many other people. In short, the trial transcript is not available through either of these on-line databases. Also, this identical information is also available in book form in your local law library. (In case you're not sure where your local law library is, most courthouses have a law library and any university that has a law school has a law library.)