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Subject: [KSBUTLER] Probate in Salt Mines
Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:38:33 -0000


This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.

Author: Elaine_Sunde
Surnames: Richardson, Hill
Classification: queries

Message Board URL:

http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.kansas.counties.butler/2268/mb.ashx

Message Board Post:

WHAT is with this burial of Butler County records in the salt mine at Hutchinson? I spent the afternoon in the El Dorado Ks. Clerk's office and found NO probate records earlier than 1900s. What indexes they do have are in disarray (bound in books which have the wrong titles, no dates, broken binding, etc). I was told that early records are in the Hutchinson salt mines and are absolutely closed to the public. For $40, someone will retrieve a file from the mines but Oh! you have to know the file number first and No! there are no indexes or any other record of what was sent to the mines. WHAT is with this??? I've researched in a dozen other States where I've been able to read wills, sometimes even hold them in my hands, from as early as 1812. I'm looking for an 1894 document...which should be available.

The most irritating aspect was the rudeness by which I was told that these files are absolutely closed to the 'General Public.' So, I can sit in the clerk's office and read modern probate records pertaining to still-living heirs but the older ones, pertaining to no living person, are too sensitive? WHAT are they talking about?

Sorry for the ire! Any suggestions??????

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