Hi Folks, Noticed the comments made regarding the High Prices for obtaining documents from the Virginia State Archives. What you're seeing here is not all that unusual...it's a growing trend. (Comments here..my personal opinion) Virginia is also following the footsteps of Kentucky. KY houses most of their records in one location...Frankfort, KY Archives....they to have been discouraging "out of State" researchers with overpricing, long delay in responses, strick restrictions ....folks what they're trying to do is STOP the search for records. Because of Public Access & Freedom of Information Laws...they really can't deny anyone the data they process...but they sure can make it difficult to obtain. They also find doing "business" by snail-mail takes actual efforts of staff members....with operating budgets being as they are ...they feel they must discourage such research . If you visit such a location researching on a self-serve basis, you'll experience no problems, the staff is helpful, photocoping cost is reasonable....this is all they want. Look closely at the Archive staff personal, the board of directors...and you might find a cast of "pros"...who also on the side will research for you, find your documents for you, for a high fee.....put the puzzle together and you'll also see why such decisions are made to discourage "out of State" researching....greed. I have over the years obtained directly from County Courthouses many documents such as Wills, Deeds, Marriage Lic., etc. I've done this in Ohio, KY, VA, NC, TN, PA, NY, CT and other places I can't recall .....Virginia "counties" have been the most difficult with over 60% REFUSING outright to proved documents, they won't suppy copies of Deed Indexes, etc. I've been told directly that they don't cater to "genealogist", they refuse to take time for such nonsense. Two days after Russell Co., VA sent me such a rejection letter of assistance I showed up at their office with their letter....informed them I traveled 700 miles for one document...advised them to be grateful I wasn't hostile when I arrived at their door, their letter really pissed me off! Folks, these State Libraries / Archives, and even the seperate Counties...receive FEDERAL MONIES to assist them in preserving the old documents...our Nation's Heritage...many are overstepping OUR RIGHTS to have access to the heritage of our Nation.....it's not right! This is my personal opinion but thought it needed to be stated. ....... Jim James F. Carver 610 Gay Street, Box 214 Portsmouth, Ohio 45662-0214 e-mail: heritage@zoomnet.net