There are vast differences from what is available from County to county in Virginia. In some instances loose papers were sent to Richmond by the clerks of the court to solve a crowding problem. In cases such as these you had to obtain permission from the clerk of the county clerk to view them because although they were in The Library of Virginia they were still under the clerks control. In recent years the Library of Virginia or State Archives I am no sure which sponsored grants for clerks of courts to begin to flat file loose papers so they can be preserved. They were then inventoried. One such project took place in Fauquier County, Virginia. It is wonderful. My Burgess family found proof of who the children were through the papers supporting a law suit. A few years ago and electrician crawling around in the attic of the court house in Accomac County, VA found an old chest containing papers dating to about 1735. In another case a Methodist Minster "acquired papers" from a courthouse where his ancestor lived. And this has happened in many cases. Descendants "aquaria" loose papers when left unsupervised in courthouse that are usually understaffed. Unlike archives that are set up to deal with researchers through a system of lockers where the persons places all belongs the court house sees most folks using briefcases. So if you run into a situation where the papers are restricted, it is probably due to funding shortfalls. Do not give up. Ask the clerk or deputy clerk if they have plans to obtain a grant for flat filing and when they think it will actually be done. I understand it is currently on hold because of funding. Not a Good thing for a state that will celebrate its 400 anniversary in a few short years. Margaret Margaret R. Amundson, CGsm is a service mark of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by Board-certified associates after periodic proficiency evaluations. To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html