Sorry that you were inconvenienced. However, the Brown County county
offices operate on a small budget. The tax revenue is low. The land in
Brown County is scenic and a large percent of the land is off the tax
rolls because it is in a state park, state forest, or national forest.
The typical clerk's office these days is over worked not only keeping
track of current court matters, but they have the added responsibility
of keeping track of child support payments, etc resulting from court
actions. The clerk's office is just busy. The Brown County clerk's
office has been turning genealogical requests over to a county
genealogist for years. That is just the way they do business. In
addition the physical office in the Brown county Court house is so
crowded that it is hard to find a space to open a large record book.
The people in the office are extremely helful, but they are busy. Sorry
about the incovenience, but that is the way they operate.
Sarah Clevenger, President
Brown County Genealogical Society
Zanetti wrote:
Dear List Members,
I requested copies of 6 marriage applications from the Brown County Circuit
Court Clerk on Nov. 15, 1999. I'm sure I called the clerk's office before
ordering copies of the records. Otherwise, I would not have known the
procedure or how much money to send along with my request. I sent $6.00
($1.00 per photocopy) and 4 stamps (realized a SASE with one stamp would
probably not be enough for 6 copies).
My check and letter was turned over to a Brown County researcher. I
received the check and a note today from the researcher. The note: "The
employees at the, 'Brown County Indiana Clerks office,' do not do research
of any kind."
Since when did requesting copies of marriage applications with the names of
the bride and groom and date of marriage provided come to be called research?
I realize that it is not the duty of the clerk to fulfill requests for
copies of marriage applications; however, I have requested copies from
clerk and register of deeds offices in several North Carolina counties and
in other states and have never been denied - most offices consider it a
service.
I really don't understand. Did I send my request to the right office?
Here is a copy of my letter:
November 15, 1999
Brown County Circuit Court Clerk
Courthouse, Main and Van Buren
Nashville, IN 47448
Dear Court Clerk:
I am an Axsom family researcher.
Please send me copies of the following marriage applications:
Delila Axsom m. Rial Martin 23 Mar 1885
James Reeves m. Ida [sic] Axsom 14 Dec 1893 (I believe Ida was Mary Ices
Axsom)
Ises [sic] Reeves to James Axsom m. 09 Sept 1899 ( Again, probably meant to
be Ices Axsom - her second marriage)
(I'm leaving out this marriage because a spouse is still living)
Alexander Reeves m. Lydia Mikels 29 May 1898
John N. Deckard m. Fannie [Wilkerson] Harris 05 Nov 1901
I am enclosing a check for $6.00 ($1.00 per photocopy) and a SASE.
Sincerely,
Norma A. Zanetti
encls.
Has anyone else on the list had a problem getting copies of marriage
records from Brown County? Any suggestions - other than paying $30.00
($5.00 per record)?
Norma Zanetti
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