Further on NJ's new requirements for obtaining birth records: I had sent an email to the governor's email address ( as provided by one of these lists) protesting the rigorous criteria necessary for obtaining birth records of the far past for genealogical purposes. I received a letter from Mr. Wm. Hendricks of the NJ Dept. of Health and Senior Services (to whom my email was forwarded) which basically reiterated the new requirements. I provide to you my reply, shown below. I urge all of you to write to Mr. Hendricks protesting these new regulations. If anyone is unfamiliar with them, the regulations require, for requesting ANY birth record, you provide the person's full name, exact place of event, exact date of the event, the person's mother's maiden name, and the father's name. This is acceptable when requesting records of those who might be alive; it is ridiculous when requesting birth records of someone who is long dead. - - - - - William Hendricks Assistant State Registrar New Jersey Dept. of Health and Senior Services P.O. Box 370 Trenton, NJ 08625-0370 Dear Mr. Hendricks Thank you for responding to my email. I fully understand the state's desire to protect the personal and confidential information of its citizens. The criteria you require are certainly correct when applying to obtain the birth certificate of one who might possibly still be alive. The federal government itself requires a 72-year delay in the publication of census records for that very same purpose. However, I fail to understand how this rigorous criteria is necessary to obtain the records of one who cannot possibly still be alive. In my particular case, I am researching the records of my great-great grandfather who was born in 1868. After 132 years, I think it highly unlikely that he is still alive. Furthermore, I have seen his obituary and so can prove that he is long dead. For genealogists like myself who are exploring our heritage, the further back in time we go the less information is available, particularly when trying to span the 1880 to 1900 time frame since the 1890 Federal census burned almost in its entirety. Quite frankly, if I had the name of my great-great-grandfather's parents, I would not need to request a copy of his birth record. I laud the state of New Jersey's policy to protect the privacy of its citizens; however, I also believe a measure of common sense is required when dealing with the far past and the records of persons who cannot possibly still be alive. A 100-year cutoff of records would be more than conservative, considering that the federal government only requires 72 years. I sincerely hope the state of New Jersey hears the cries of genealogists nationwide who are dismayed by these new regulations. Sincerely, Gail L. Steckel (address deleted)

Gail, I also received snail mail from this man after I had written to the governor, reiterating the same stupid rules. We all have to face it, THEY JUST DON'T CARE! They should care - we are voters and that's where it matters. For days several of us sent email to Representative Weinberg, since she is the one who has the power to change these idiotic rules, being on the committee that oversees the Health & Senior Service Dept. Finally she had someone contact me. I still haven't heard anymore. Sandy _________ "Gail Steckel, NET" wrote: > Further on NJ's new requirements for obtaining birth records: I had sent an > email to the governor's email address ( as provided by one of these lists) > protesting the rigorous criteria necessary for obtaining birth records of > the far past for genealogical purposes. I received a letter from Mr. Wm. > Hendricks of the NJ Dept. of Health and Senior Services (to whom my email > was forwarded) which basically reiterated the new requirements.

Perhaps all of our communications pleading for understanding, need to be copied and sent to our local representatives in the state government. Those living out of state can also use the State of NJ's website to get the name of the appropriate legislator for the area from which your ancestor came. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.asp is the state's "find your legislator site. It's worth a try............ Maxine ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sandy" <smdc@earthlink.net> To: <NJGLOUCE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, May 18, 2002 9:36 PM Subject: Re: [NJGLOUCE] NJ's new requirements for obtaining birth records Gail, I also received snail mail from this man after I had written to the governor, reiterating the same stupid rules. We all have to face it, THEY JUST DON'T CARE! They should care - we are voters and that's where it matters. For days several of us sent email to Representative Weinberg, since she is the one who has the power to change these idiotic rules, being on the committee that oversees the Health & Senior Service Dept. Finally she had someone contact me. I still haven't heard anymore. Sandy _________ "Gail Steckel, NET" wrote: > Further on NJ's new requirements for obtaining birth records: I had sent an > email to the governor's email address ( as provided by one of these lists) > protesting the rigorous criteria necessary for obtaining birth records of > the far past for genealogical purposes. I received a letter from Mr. Wm. > Hendricks of the NJ Dept. of Health and Senior Services (to whom my email > was forwarded) which basically reiterated the new requirements.