FYI: Bad news for researchers. The Sauk County Register of Deeds office, effective March 1, 2000, will no longer allow researchers to research their own birth, marriage, death, and land records. Researchers will be permitted to look at the indexes only and will only be allowed to see a limited number of certificates due to a shortage of staff and other work the staff needs to do. This limitation has come about due to some researchers who believe it is acceptable to correct records when they see what they believe to be a mistake. (The records are so marked up with "corrections" that is difficult to tell what is original and what is not.) Rules that were set down by the Register of Deeds office have not been followed. In order to preserve records, these limitations will be in affect. It is sad to see that so few are going to affect so many. The Sauk County Historical Society will still be allowed to do research for clients (a fee is involved). There are only two of us in the Society, however, permitted to check records. The two of us are allowed due to the Society's history with their office, our mission to preserve county history, and we are currently funded by the county. Society members, however, will have to follow the rules of every other researcher. If queries are sent directly to the Register of Deeds office and require any research, they will be referred to us. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail us at schist@shopstop.net Kathy Waddell, Archivist