Several days ago I sent message starting out like this -- > I sent a letter to the Spencer County courthouse asking for some marriage > records sevral months ago. They apparently forwarded it to an independant > researcher. Because of the statement that followed mentioning about genealogical research, half of the answers thought that they were asking for genealogical research -- this was NOT the case and NOT what the problem seems to be. Let me rephrase the way I ask my question. I had received 2 messages (since then over a dozen) mentioning that some of the courthouses are not even giving copies or xeroxes of a specific birth, death, marriage, etc. when the information (exactly) is given to them -- for instance if I asked for a xerox of marriage for Anna Smith and Virgil C. Sandage, Apr 9, 1942 in Gibson Co, IN and that the county is then giving this over to an independent person or contractor (who charges between $10 and $40 hr with minimum of $10 plus xerox fees, postage and handling). (so far I have had over 40 saying YES this is occurring and the $$ figures I quoted came from them just for a simple xerox copy -- even if you say it was in Marriage books at Health Dept, vol 3 pg 310). THAT is what I am trying to figure out -- is this becoming a common thing among the courthouses? This is NOT genealogical research per se but is xeroxing public domain vital records. I always understood that THIS is what these people are there for and for which the tax dollars are being paid. I have been doing genealogical research for 37 years and the MOST I ever had to pay for a xerox of this kind was $2 (to cover the one xerox, their time, and postage, envelope, etc. Another concern is the number of courthouses or departments in courthouses that seem to NOT EVEN ALLOW looking at the records (I could understand if they used the US' rules of anything after 1920 to today, but before that time and dates in 1700's and 1800's I can't understand). Several mentioned that some records you can look at, but "down the hall" the other type of records you are denied access completely. Even mentioning the freedom of information act and other legal rules (even ones from their particular states) appears not to budge these clerks at all. I am just wondering and concerned about this problem (especially in the Indiana counties where I support 3 county USGenWeb Project webpages) as well as wondering if these clerks are REALLY giving this to the county or are they just pocketing the money for themselves (or a kick-back for themselves by using these independents and contractors), Judy M.