Hi, as each of you may have recently noticed, Ancestry.com has adopted lots of new databases that have been very worthwhile to the geneologist. But after even recently seeing a posting on this list ffrom someone who feels that Vital Statistics in Charleston, WV takes such a long time to search for records, I feel it is about that the General index to the West Virginia deaths at Charleston shoud have a database just as so many other states have got. Kentucky has from 1911-2000 online in a database. Ohio has 1913-1937(Ohio historical society website), and 1958-1969, 1989-1991, and 1992(Ancestry.com), and other states have simmillar. But West Virginia has NEVER in the states history done a database index online. Although the achives in Charleston, WV has 1917-1991 on microfilm, but they are not in order of alphabet over the entire time span, but from year to year. This is where a death index database would make a world of difference. It's about time that West Virginia gets more advanced in the Vital records indexes. I do however understand it would not be possible to give out the actual death records themselves, because of privacy of thier family and people could use birth records do do harm to another individual. This is understandable. But what is not understandable is that why when I went there back in June 2000, they were mean to me and told me that thier books are totally closed to the public. They would not even let me look at the general index books over the counter. I am right now starting to drum up support for a West Virginia death index that is available to us in a database, just as it has been for other states. After all, if Kentucky can do it, why can't West Virginia, or even Virginia, Pennsylvania(I don't think that thier death indexes at New Castle are not even on microfilm!). The death index is vital, especially in a situation where you had relatives that moved around the state a lot and you don't know where they went, or last lived where they died, but because I don't live in West Virginia I can't look at the indexes any time I want at my leisure without bieng pressed for time so that I can find the names I need. I am so far grateful that ancestry.com has put West Virginia marriages 1863-1900 on a database, but even it doesn't include all the counties, just certain ones. Please everyone contact Ancestry.com and let them know that we need this index so that our research can be made easier. you can e-mail them at: support@ancestry-inc.com Thanks so much. Jason Arnott