Indiana death records start in 1882, but are spotty. Switzerland County is
pretty good and easy to use before 1900. Jefferson County is not. I've had
the changes in law explained to me, but my recollection is the state didn't
really begin enforcing registration until 1900. After 1900, you can get the
records from the state health deparment (for a fee) Before and after 1900.
But don't count on consistency. I've had ancestors on file with the county
and not with the state and vice versa. Also, there were transcriptions of
death records done by the WPA during the depression. Jefferson County was not
among them. Those that exist were at the Indiana State Library and maybe
other places.
Jefferson County Historical Society has records wh ich have been transcribed
on the Jefferson County GenWeb at
http://www.myindianahome.net/gen/jeff/records/death/drindex.html
Bob Scott