The problem in NY State is that with few exceptions vital records are NOT maintained at the County level, but at the State level and the City/Town/Village level, so unless you go to the State you must know the exact locality of death. Also, the City/Town/Village registrars are usually unable to do long term searches - you must know the date of death to within at least the month and year. You can check the State indexes for locality and date, but there are publicly available indexes in only two places, the NY State Archives in Albany and the National Archives Regional Branch in Manhattan. The State indexes are NOT available at Family History Centers. (NY City is an entirely different matter. It keeps its own records - the State doesn't even have copies - and they are indexed and far easier to get.) quillpen <quillpen@vh.net> wrote: > >Hi Michelle, >I'm curious. Why didn't you feel comfortable writing to county personnel? >Most of them are a lot more friendly than the State and a lot of them >don't charge you if they can't find the record you requested (except NYC, >which always charges). >Maureen > > > > > >At 12:09 PM 10/28/99 EDT, you wrote: >>Hey..I just found out it can take up to 2 years..2!!!!!!! to get >certificates >>from Albany (Vital records) I called because I have been waiting!!! I cant >>believe it...so much wquicker to go through the county if you know it or if >>you feel comfortable writing to people in a county. (I didnt and thats why I >>sent to vitals) Yuck!!!! Wish something could be done to move it down to a 9 >>month span of time! >>Michele Lockwood >> >> >>==== GEN-NYS Mailing List ==== >>Have you forgotten how to UNSUBSCRIBE? >>Visit the GEN-NYS-L Frequently Asked Questions (And Answers!) web page: >> http://www.rootsweb.com/~nozell/GEN-NYS-L/FAQ/GEN-NYS-L.txt >> > > >==== GEN-NYS Mailing List ==== >Have you considered joining the Rootsweb Genealogical Data >Cooperative?