Genealogists learn that courthouses are sources of many different types of records. In the U.S., there are many types of courts: local, county, state, and federal courts. Within these different levels, there may be multiple types of courts. It is important to determine what record type you wish to examine or obtain and the court that created it. That will help you determine what courthouse and office you need to contact or visit.

This course examines five of the most common reasons why, when you are researching, certain records may not be available in the courthouse where you would expect to locate them.