Unless you, the researcher, were physically present at an event, it is difficult to know if the record was correct. We have discussed errors made on tombstones, newspaper obituaries, marriage dates and much more. Being human, records can be wrong. So, we need to check and double check to be sure the information we are reading is correct. As you know, deeds recorded at the County Clerk's office, wills bound in those huge old volumes and probate records can contain errors and are not the originals. They are handwritten copies of the original document, written by the Clerk or Deputy Clerk. They could have written something down incorrectly. The signature is not that of the original signer in most instances either. Normally, the information recorded is correct but mistakes can sneak in. Take for example depositions taken in a court action. Unlike what we are used to, the parties involved did not all show up before a judge on the same time and give testimony. Instead, the parties were summoned to appear before a justice or other court appointed officer or lawyer at a certain location on a specific date and time. There they gave their deposition reference the case in front of the official. Several could be called to appear at the same time. Then, as the depositions were given, they were written down - the questions asked by both sides (plantiff's and defendant's lawyers), and the response. These handwritten depositions were then added to the stack and transported to the court. When all the depositions were taken (sometimes taking months), the court read them and made a decision. Therein - errors could be made. Names could be spelled incorrectly, children or heirs forgotten, dates wrong, money amounts incorrect; varying testimonies from observers ... and the clerk writing it down not getting all the testimony correct. So, you might find a child, who you know was a child, not listed. Or the wrong location on an heir who lived out of state (who might not even have been found). We have to take the information contained in these depositions and counter check them against other written documents to see if everything matches. But, these depositions are full of gems. It shows the age of the deponent, his location, his occupation, where he lived relative to the parties of the case, how long he had known them, his relationship to the parties, etc. They are very important in our searching. Next: I have finished another huge book but cannot really offer the index as usual. I have transcribed the Barren Co male marriage index book, 1933 through 1983 Surnames A through H at the County Clerk's office. It's hard to think that 1933 is old but ... well it's getting there. The index book contains the year of marriage, the groom's name and the bride's name. In Barren Co, there are 8 index books: Male index 1798-1932 A - L, same M-Z, Female index for same period (2 volumes); then Male 1933-1983 and Female 1933-1983 (2 volumes). I have previously transcribed all the records up through 1932. This book contains 7,326 marriages and covers male marriages surnames A-H. I wanted to run it through the L's, but there were just too many! The marriages are shown in alphabetical order by the grooms name. It does have a surname index for the bride's - to have a full-name index would double the size of the book. It is 156 pages plus the index. I can send you the surname bride's index. I have flagged possible typographical errors (the book is typed not handwritten). African American marriages are noted through the 50's; after that date, no designation was made. I found marriages of individuals that appear to be from Monroe, Hart and Metcalfe counties based on the surname. I even came across one of our family from Green Co who headed over to Glasgow to be married! No place of residence is shown however in the records. If you'd like to see the surname bride's index, I will send that to you; e-mail me privately. Lastly, I am going to try to go back to the Puzzlers. Many of you have written and asked for this again. So, if Charles Hartley is willing to start posting the questions again on our website, I'll give it a try! I have to appear before the Circuit Court Judge on Wednesday to see if I am going to be called for jury duty for April and May - if I am, my postings might be a little more random! Have a great week! Sandi Sandi's Puzzlers: http://www.gensoup.org/gorinpuzzles/index.php Sandi's site: http://ggpublishing.tripod.com/ Archives: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index?list=south-central-kentucky