This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: rtwhalen1 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newyork.counties.columbia/4934.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Thank you for your input. When I first started writing my letters and asking other genealogists to write as well I had a scene from the movie Shawshank Redemption in mind where the main character, Andy Dufresne, decides to write to the state government for funds to create a new prison library. The warden told him they wouldn't do it but he decided to go for it and it eventually happened though it took over 6 years. With the wonderful bureaucracy of New York State I realize it would take an act of God or nature to get something like an online vital records index in a year. I have no delusions that this will happen any time soon but we must begin somewhere. I really don't think making the index available online would eliminate a source of revenue. You still need to write in and pay for a copy of the death certificate. The index only gives the name place and date. But regardless of the states current financial woes I think it would be worth our time to start now and maybe 5 or 10 years from now something would happen. Sometimes I think the gov't depends on our complacency towards the status quo. haha. Please write. 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.