I am doing research for a Vital Records website for the Manhattan site I coordinate for the NY History and Genealogy Project and found a book in the LDS Family History Library with items I would like to share. The book is called, New York Genealogical Research by George Schweitzer, 1988. Birth Records: During the period of Dutch control (1609-64), the New Netherland government did not keep official civil birth records, leaving this task to the church. Many of these records will be found in: --T.G.Evans, RECORDS OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH IN NEW AMSTERDAM/NEW YORK CITY, BAPTISMS, 1639-1800, NY Genealogical and Biographical Society, New York, NY, 19001-2, 2 volumes. When the English took the colony over (1664), they had a law requiring ministers of parishes and clerks of towns to record births, but the colony never systematically enforced the regulation, and only a few records were kept. Early records of births were included in the town minutes for a number o NY towns, especially those on Long Island, where this New England custom was practiced. This town record keeping did not spread, but declined. The situation of practically no birth recording continued until 1847 when a law requiring birth registration in towns was passed. Fair conformity to the law was seen during 1847-49/50, but the system largely failed thereafter. Many of the fragmentary records mention above will be found in town and county records, many have been published in NY genealogical periodicals (Tree Talks, NY Genealogical and Biographical Record), some have been microfilmed by the FHL, and few are at NYSL and NYSA. Listings of a number of those available will be found in: --J.D. and E. D. Stemmons, THE VITAL RECORD COMPENDIUM, Everton Publishers, Logan UT, 1979. --A.H. Eakle and L.R. Gunn, DESCRIPTIVE INVENTORY OF THE NY COLLECTION, University of UT Press, Salt Lake City UT, 1980. --Historical Records Survey, GUIDE TO PUBLIC VITAL STATISTICS IN NY STATE, INCLUDING NY CITY, WPA, Albany, NY, 1942, 1st Volume. -- -- Pat Connors, Sacramento CA http://www.connorsgenealogy.com All outgoing mail virus free, scanned by Norton 2002