Since 1983, circuit court records have come under authority of the state and are maintained by the state's trial court administrator. Clerk and Recorder Miscellaneous Recordings have been inventoried through 1965. Since 1965, most counties accept only those records required by law to be filed with the county clerk. Coroner Reports have been inventoried through 1965 because by then all counties had abolished the office of the coroner and reported directly to the State Medical Examiner. District Court Case Files and Dockets have been inventoried through 1940.
More recent records have marginal value because they document less significant misdemeanor cases.
Election Poll Books have been inventoried through 1930 to eliminate conflicts with the relatively short retention periods of the more recent poll books. Election records between 1920 and 1930 are significant because they document the first decade of women's suffrage. Election Voting Abstracts have been inventoried through 1960. Records after 1960 are adequately documented by the Secretary of State, Elections Division. Justice Court Case Files and Dockets have been inventoried through 1940.