This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: djr0125 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newyork.counties.columbia/4934.3/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Yes, I've written to my reps about the same issue. I've also written to request opening up old adoption records, especially where all parties involved are long dead. There is absolutely no reason why these records can't be digitally indexed, along with the associated document numbers for ordering, and made available and searchable online. Other states have already done this and are miles ahead of us. Much of the work accomplished in other states was done by volunteers. The technology for doing this is at least 20 years old, and the processes, such as having at least one additional set of eyes reviewing the inputs, are much older than that. We're not talking about cutting edge technology and processes here. With the way the NYS "system" is structured, it's impossible to order a record, aka "money coming in for a service", if you can't even find out if an ancestor was here, let alone when. The system is fractured, sending you to NYC for city records, and Albany for all others. I don't know about downstate, but if you want to go to the Albany Archives you have to take a day off from work, since there's no accommodation for those who are employed full time during traditional working hours. Alternately, I suppose you can hire someone to track down records for you, but that can be an expensive and time-consuming proposition. If you do the work yourself, you can follow hunches and assess the odds of finding a record by finding related names. A hired researcher may not do that. Archives in some other states, even states with records as obscured as NY's, are open on one Saturday a month or have evening hours once or twice per month. Of course, if you live hours and hours away from the physical archives, you don't have many options. I know that New Yorkers are used to obstacles and impediments and fiefdoms within state government entities, but one way to avoid directly dealing with the bureaucracies and (too often at the state level) unpleasant people in these places, is to make it possible to find and order the records on line. One example I'd use is the Illinois archives, where they currently have searchable death and marriage indexes online, along with a process for ordering the records. Currently, you have to call one of the Illinois University Archives to order those records, but it was an extremely pleasant transaction, where you were treated courteously, efficiently, and professionally. What a concept! Of course, if they had a provision for ordering online, they wouldn't have to man the phones, but at least you can find out if a record exists or not, and order it if it does exist. NY is significantly behind the curve on this. Embarrassingly so. So this doesn't seem too stern, I can't lavish enough praise on the county, city, and town offices, who are very responsive and helpful. I've never had an unpleasant encounter when dealing with individual localities. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.