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Re: PROBATE RECORDS

POSTON, BENNETT, WAGGONER, SIMMONS, MATHEWS

Posted By: Della Schults (email)
Date: 10/2/2004 at 13:28:30

In Response To: Re: PROBATE RECORDS (Ellen West)

Ellen:
I live in Calfornia so like you I am far from Wapello County. So,looking for records is difficult from so far away. I found my husband's grandfather, his great grandmother and my mother's great uncle all listed in a probate index microfilm from the LDL. The listing for the microfilm in the LDL card catalog stated the LDL did not have copies of the probate files just the index. That is why I called the Wapello County courthouse to find out how to obtain copies of the probate files. It is interesting that they gave me specific instructions on how to order them including what the cost would be and then when I sent my letter and check they sent me an e-mail stating the records were being copied by the genealogy society and not available. I called the probate clerk at the courthouse and talked to her directly. That is when I was told it would take a minimum of 6 -12 months for them to be copied and then the courthouse would not get the originals back.
When I contacted the LDL they told me it takes 2 years before records they copy are available for anyone to view the microfilm or CD. But I, like so many, am even more distressed that the records will not be returned to Wapello County.
I am not Mormon but I do attend a genealogy class at the local Family History Center and I intend to talk to the teacher (who is seems to have a great deal of interaction with the LDL in Salt Lake City) and see if she can obtain any additional information for us.
I agree the transcriptions provide some basic information but apparently these probate records were not transcribed with anything but the name of the deceased, name of executor, box and file number. Not a great deal of help.
I am also concerned about other documents that I thought were in the courthouse in Ottumwa; such as, wills, land records, birth, death and marriage records.
If these were to become unavailable for a 2 years period for copying it would be impossible to continue research on our ancestors who were in the area during the period of time the records covered.
I didn'd bring this to the attention of people to cause a big problem. I just thought people should be aware that valuable, irreplacable records were leaving the custody of Wapello County. I don't have a problem with them being copied as I think preserving them on microfilm or CD is valuable so the original documents don't have to be handled. It certainly keeps them from deteriorating further.I think the Mormon Church has done a wonderful thing in establishing their library and making it available for everyone to use the records they have. I just have a real problem with the period of time and the fact the records will not be returned to Wapello County.
All that having been said; there is not much we can do about it at this time but wait.
Della

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