Most localities in NY State didn't record VRs before the 1880s. The only sources would be church records, family bibles, and other non-governmental records. -----Original Message----- From: Grace Coffman [mailto:glasker1@bigred.unl.edu] Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2001 6:17 PM To: NYCOLUMB-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [NYCOL] How do I get vital records for Columbia county pre-1880? I havent been able to figure out how I can find death or birth or marriage records for columbia county for records before they were indexed by the state archives? Anyone have an idea how to go about this? Thank you very much! I am in need of records in Hillsdale. Ghent and Chatham, if that makes a difference? Thank you!! -Grace ______________________________