I just returned from 3 weeks in NY and did exhaustive research there. I came home with about 6 inches of copies. I was researching Furman, Gifford in Berne and Furman and Whitcomb Ferguson Albany, I was also Andes, Delaware Co. for 2 days where I visited the Delaware County Clerks Office and Delaware Co. Historical Society, and the Public Library in Walton. I was searching information on the Bassetts, and Cushings in Andes, and William Furman in Walton I visited the New York State Library, New York State Archives and Manuscripts, Albany County Hall of Records Albany County Clerks Office Albany County Tax Office, Albany City Vital Records Office. Albany Public Library Berne Historical Society Rensselaerville Historical Society. New York Historical Society in Cooperstown. The library has tremendous records, books and films. They have an ongoing newspaper project, on film. The City Directory is on film. The Hall of records has -- the Albany City Directoy in books though several years are missing, -- original deed and mortgage books. They are wnderful large old books written in ink in fine handwriting. I was able to copy these originals. I saw the Grantee Grantor and Mortgage books found on film at the FHL in SLC. In those books I found it is important to read the notes as there is a wealth of information not indexed. The Archives has rules, some of which are cumbersome, the librarians chance frequently, so you aren't working with the same person each time you go. But after you jump the hoops, the material is wonderful. We ordered 12-15 items so went back the next day. I handled the Survey Book of the Van Rensselaer Manor 1787, and his lease book.. Very exciting to touch such old and delicate pages. I don't believe it has been filmed. I was told that only 292 of the Van Renssaelar documents have been inventoried, with many more to go through, and most haven't been indexed. Unfortunately the specific item I was searching wasn't recorded there. They copied the material for me.... I haven't yet been able to go through it in detail. I found a photo copy of an Atlas of the City of Albany 1876 at an antique store which had information on building that are no longer standing. My great grandfather wrote in a letter that he had ice cream, at Ash Grove Church. It is on the atlas, but no longer standing on the site. At the Tax office I was able to get a copy of the lot my ancestors owned in the 1800's and the numbers are the same. At the County clerk's office I got a copy of a deed. Albany City for a Death Record. $11 going up to $22. At the New York Historical Society, which asks for a $9.00 non member use, they have the Albany City Directories books for all years. The great fun was going to the addresses listed for my 2nd great grandfather, his mother, his sister and his children in the City of Albany. Several are now under the Empire Plaza of State Offices, but several are still standing and I took pictures. Some had address of their business too. And the family is buried in Albany Rural Cemetery. If you visit that Cemetery, be sure to ask for a copy of both the front and back of the cards and the plot map. I got different and additional information from each. It was a great trip. Unfortunately I didn't break through the brick walls as I hoped, but have added information to the preponderance of evidence. Marita