Legal Research

A record index serves as a pointer system to the location of file documents and is frequently used at recording offices, courts, and state agencies. A record index is often computerized, but indices can be on card files, in books, on microfiche, etc. Also, a record index can be organized in a variety of ways ? by name, by year, by case or file number, or by name and year. Depending on the type of public record, an alpha index could be sorted by plaintiff and/or defendant, by grantor and/or grantee, by address, etc. Perhaps checking a microfiche reader or card file for a record on an individual you find nothing. That does not necessarily mean a record does not exist. The case or document files could be listed in another media index for a different time period, or perhaps you are searching using the wrong criteria such as a maiden name or an alias. 

If you are searching an unfamiliar location, then the makeup of the index is one of first items you need to check. For example, if you are searching an index of court records, you are searching dockets. A docket can be a list of cases on a court?s calendar, or a log containing the schedule and all the actions involved within a court case. 

An important fact to take note of is that the primary search that government agencies provide is often merely a search of the index. When someone tells you ?I can find xxx county court records online,? this person is most likely talking about an index summary of cases and not about the records themselves.

© excerpt from The Sourcebook to Public Record Information