Shirley, There are records at the court house, earlier this year my sister and I made contact by mail and phone, they also have a genealogy section, which was helpfull to us. But the request has to be by mail. Might try that. Good luck on your search Jean Brand   (researching the Ward and Sage families) "Monday, September 29, 2008 8:32:47 PM Subject: [VALEE] Ransom Eldridge I'm looking for information on Ransom Eldridge between 1835 and 1850.  He was born 1835 in Lee county VA.  Apparently he was abandoned by his parents who returned to England and was raised by the Short family.  The earliest record I have is the 1850 census for Lee Co. VA when he was 15 years and living in the household of Greenberry Short. 1.  Does anyone have access to the courthouse records for guardianship, indenturement, adoption or anything else that might involve a child. 2.  Does anyone have any ideas of what records I can search or contact I can make? Thank you Shirley Eldridge-Darby"