In a message dated 2/25/01 3:58:41 AM Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: << I've found alot of my ancestors listed in the Grantee Index I've been telling you guys about. But one thing I'm wondering about. On the LDS library, they have microfilm of the deed books but only up to book 123. I can't seem to find any deed books higher than this. Now I'm wondering how I'm supposed to get a copy of a deed if not through the LDS microfilm. >> Cara, According to "The Handybook for Genealogists" by Everton Publishers (a "must have" for any researcher), the clerk's office does have land records beginning from 1790 to the present. They also have births and deaths from 1853, marriages from 1824 and probate records from 1831. I don't know how Kanawha Co. works on deeds, but I've personally written other courthouses and requested a copy of the direct index and also the reverse index (otherwise called grantee or grantor) for the particular surname I happen to be working on at the time. I don't know what their photocopy rates are now, so depending on the number of pages you'd have to make the decision whether it was worth the cost or not. It might be worth a call to get their copy rates and talk with the clerk about the indexes -- or you might just prefer to write. I also know most courthouse will look up marriages, births, and deaths for you if you give them specific information and make copies. If you don't have a specific year most courthouses are happy to work within a 10-year timeframe estimate. Again, I don't know if Kanawha will do this or not. I haven't dealt with the Kanawha courthouse through the mail, but I was there about 3 years ago so I do know that they have the above records at the courthouse. Hope this has helped you. Neva