Help with searching probate filings

[Kyle B.]

So I went to the Clerk's office at the county courthouse to look through the probate filings. When I asked to do this, I was told I could only look through filings if I provided them with a name, which I wasn't able to do because I didn't plan to look at one specific case.

Do I have the ability to look through any file randomly or is it restricted to what they told me? Or could I ask for all the probates filed in the last say six months (pick an arbitrary time frame), and they will have to give me access to these?

This is my first time doing this, so hoping to learn some tricks of the trade from someone who has successful gotten probate leads from the county. What is a good way to explain what I'm trying to do so whatever person I'm talking with is able to assist/accomodate me?

Thanks!