In a message dated 99-10-13 01:38:20 EDT, you write: << To: GEN-NYS-L@rootsweb.com Whatever gave you the idea that what governments do is logical? In the case of New York state being so difficult about obtaining documents I see it as a very logical outcome of illegal immigrants obtaining American documents that allow them to assume American identities. Not only that, our recently dead ancestors' credit histories would be open to exploitation. I applaud New York for being difficult. The other states, as well, all of those who are protecting their citizens from being victimized by the scum who would use ouir hobby to commit illegal acts. We naive genealogists forget there are less than innocent people trying to get our data. Shirley