In a message dated 05/08/1999 1:20:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: << If you are comparing signatures on a copy of a will from any of the will books and a deed from the Louisa Co. Deed books, you will learn nothing. The original wills and deeds were copied into the official books by the County Clerk (or more likely his deputy), and the originals were returned to the owners. The signatures that you see are simply copies of the original signatures in the Clerk's handwriting. >> Ann is right - but there may be a file on that item that may include the will and any other papers used in settling the estate. I've lucked out on a few occassions. Bev