Any letters that anyone writes to the state or their legislators should also state...that if DOH wants to push the limit on death certificates from 40 years to 50 years...then they should at least remove the policy of not giving you the cause of death...which i find to be totally restrictive for deaths that old. I also feel that as researchers we should also actively state that the death certificates 50 years and older should be made available at the state archives. This should also be the case for marriage records. Therefore those of us who can travel to Trenton can be given the opportunity to get the records there for ourselves..or those who may be assisting others with their lines. Right now State Archives only has deaths and marriages up till 1940 and births till 1923. I think it will be highly unlikely that we will be able to get the state to add on to that 1923 date at the archives. But, I see no reason why we can't get them to lift the no cause of death policy if they increase the limit and then charge us $25.00. Nor, can I see why those records can't be made available at the state archives. It would certainly cut down on the workload at the Department of Health (DOH) and then maybe they would not have to increase the fees for mail copies as much. I think it is important for all of us to speak with one voice on this issue. As someone who has been involved in politics for 12 years I have learned that's the best way to get the politicians to listen. *It is sad to see government slowly but surely making it more and more difficult* *to do family history research.* *JIM BOOTH* *Highland Mills, Orange County, N. Y.* *[email protected]* [email protected] wrote: >Thanks for the heads up, Michelle! I have been putting off mailing in a >batch of records requests. Guess I'll get busy and send those in before this >crazy rate hike can be passed. >Heidi >Researching NJ from Maine > > > >