In a message dated 5/11/01 5:41:59 AM, Rbsgenealogy@cs.com writes: << There is a very thorough index of all NC wills called "North Carolina Wills: A Testator Index, 1665-1900" by Thornton W. Mitchell (Genealogical Publishing Co.). If you request a will, the NC archives staff will check this index first. If there is no will listed, they will send you the estate papers.>> This is true but it must be emphasized that if a person died without a will, they will not be listed in this index. Also, if they did die with a will, they may ALSO have an estate file which is seperately filed and catalogued. A researcher should ask for both. Each set of records (wills and estate papers) are arranged alphabetically by name, by county. Needless to say there are a lot more people who died without wills than who died with them. To overlook intestate files is a big mistake. Even if someone died with a will, more information can usually be found in an estate file, especially in cases where the testator names "my wife" or "all my children". <<For some reason, Granville chose not to cooperate and send their records to Raleigh--at least as of the printing of the book.>> I hadn't noticed that, but they are now a part of the statewide collection in Raleigh. And yes, the state archives has an excellent collection of records. QUESTION: Original Marriage bonds. Where are these? Are they still kept at the counties? The archives has various transcripts of marriages, but I've never really asked if they also have the originals. Does anyone know? Craig