This is a compilation of data from four previous BRB "Public Record Research Library" titles?The Sourcebook of County Asset/Lien Records (1994), The MVR Book: Motor Services Guide (1995. 5th ed.), The Sourcebook of County Court Records (LJ 2/15/94), and The Sourcebook of State Public Records (1994). This directory of county, state, and federal public record offices in the United States lists sources for many types of public records, including real estate, motor vehicle, corporate, criminal, civil, small claims, probate, tax lien, and vital records. Information provided in each listing includes a complete address, time zone, telephone number, and hours of operation. Each section is prefaced by pertinent remarks and advice for records searchers, and the section on state records is supplemented by a table summarizing access restrictions. This unique volume provides leads to information frequently requested by genealogists, landlords, collection agents, and attorneys. Recommended for public, academic, business, and legal reference collections.?Patrick Ragains, Montana State Univ. Libs., Bozeman
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
The locations of public records in this guide have been compiled and condensed from the publisher's database and four of its nine sourcebooks (e.g., The Sourcebook of County Court Records; The Sourcebook of Federal Courts, U.S. District and Bankruptcy [RBB De 15 93]). The more than 11,500 listings are its core, with introductory matter serving as a concise guide to access.
The guide is arranged in three levels: county courts and recorders offices (white pages), state agencies (yellow pages), and federal courts (blue pages). Summaries for each level provide overviews of records organization and searching hints. The listings are essentially name, address, and telephone numbers, with time zones and office hours for county and state offices. Editor's notes point researchers to relevant sourcebooks that provide particulars about courts and cases.
In the county-records section the real estate recording office is listed first, followed by court listings noting the kinds of records found at that location (felony, misdemeanor, etc). If vital records are a county function, they are listed also The state section's opening article surveys search strategies for business records, lien and security interest records, and individual records. A real convenience is topical indexing: locations for DMV, legislation, and vital statistics, for instance, can be quickly found. A state public-records restriction chart indicates to whom these records are available.
The federal-records section lists more than 600 court locations in U.S. District Courts, Bankruptcy Courts, Courts of Appeals, and Federal Records Centers. Addresses include division and district offices. A chart cross-references each state to its corresponding circuit court, appeals court, and Federal Records Center.
Reference librarians and other researchers will find this volume a clear and efficient introduction to public-records organization and searching. The editors have produced a practical reference that will be welcome in public libraries, especially those that haven't been able to purchase the more specialized titles from this publisher.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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