This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: all Classification: Census Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2BC.2ACI/796 Message Board Post: Salaries and other costs for recording and maintaining vital records (dates of births, dates of marriages, and dates of deaths) are provided thru taxation of citizens. Acess to such records are guaranteed by the freedom of information act. Futhermore, various state agencies in the State of Virginia have offered to forward copies of such records for a nominal fee. Therefore, if you submit a request for copies to the Montgomery County Clerk's office and it is returned without explanation or comment, do not assume that the requested information does not exist. This is especially true if the returned request is accompanied by information about the services of a professional researcher. The roadblock may be due to incompetancy, laziness, contempt, and/or financial gain (kickbacks).