How easy (or difficult) is it to search records such as old (19th century) deeds and court records at county court houses? Do the clerks allow the public to go to the stacks and search the records themselves, or is it necessary to submit requests for each individual type of record and volume and have a clerk pull the record for you? I imagine the policies vary from place to place, but I want to get an idea of what to expect in most places. Is it easier to review records in smaller counties than in counties with metropolitan populations?