Dear Friends, Every so often we need a reminder of research basics. So, here's one about the NYC Municipal Archives "Holdings" for Births, Marriages & Deaths, only. BARE BONE FACTS THAT YOU MAY WANT TO PRINT * The county name is the most important fact you need. * NYC records cannot be obtained from NY State. * 1898: 5 counties consolidated into "Greater NYC." Prior, Brooklyn & New York [kinda Manhattan] were separate cities. * BMD's exist for Brooklyn & NY prior to 1866, but are not indexed. Many are microfilms of ledgers, i.e . midwife ledgers. * Richmond/Staten Island records may include New Jersey events, especially Marriage "licenses" [differs from certificates]. * Bronx records can be frustrating. A clear date helps. Some areas were once part of Westchester County. * Death certificates are filed in the county of death, not necessarily in the county of residence. * The NYC Municipal Archives only produces "certified" copies. * When ordering a "search," include all surname spelling variations. * They charge for searches of additional boroughs, and additional years, plus shipping. * When ordering by mail, include your phone # [add to forms] and a SASE. It makes responding easier. May all your leads be good ones. Barb Birth, death and marriage records are filed and indexed according to the locality (Borough) in which the event occurred Birth Records Borough Dates Available Manhattan - July 1847 - 1848 - July 1853 - 1909 Brooklyn - 1866 - 1909 Bronx - 1898 - 1909 Queens - 1898 - 1909 Richmond (Staten Island) - 1898 - 1909 Death Records Borough Dates Available Manhattan - 1795 - 1802-1804 - 1808 - 1812-1948 Brooklyn - 1847-1853 - 1857-1948 Bronx - 1898 - 1948 Queens - 1898 - 1948 Richmond (Staten Island) - 1898 - 1948 Marriage Records Borough Dates Available Manhattan - July 1847 - 1848 - July 1853 - 1937 Brooklyn - 1866 - 1937 Bronx - 1898 - 1937 Queens - 1898 - 1937 Richmond (Staten Island) - 1898 - 1937 Notes There are separate marriage and death records for Kings County's OLD TOWNS: Flatbush, 1847-1851, 1880-1894; Flatlands, 1880-1895; Gravesend, 1880-1894; New Lots, 1881-1886; and New Utrecht, 1880-1894. BRONX: The Bronx did not exist as a separate Borough until 1898. NYC (Manhattan) annexed the area west of the Bronx River in 1874 and annexed the area east of the Bronx River in 1985. For vital records in those areas after the date of annexation through 1897, request a search of Manhattan records. Pre-consolidation Town and Village vital records 1847-1849, 1881-1897; and Long Island City 1871-1897 Pre-consolidation Town and Village vital records, 1847-1849, 1881-1897 SOURCE> http://www.nyc.gov/html/records/html/archives/holdings.shtml