I agree, I am very happy to see more outlets open to people who need help. Thank you for looking into it, Marcy From: Dick Hillenbrand <[email protected]> Date: 2008/03/11 Tue PM 07:16:56 CDT To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [NYERIE] Update to NYS Vital Records Indexes - Free Look Ups! Here is a little more information that I can tell you all. I immediately forwarded the information that Cynthia put on this mail list to the Syracuse library. The librarian checked with supervisors, data processing because the man there used to be in Local History/Genealogy and was told that they have been doing lookups for free, for patrons since day one. She also called the librarian at the Rochester library and was assured that there was no "law" against it. They were confident enough to ask me to add some additional information on my Blog toady, which I did. I have no part in this other than reporting it as news. Personally I applaud the OCPL and truly hope there is not a problem. Dick Hillenbrand Upstate New York Genealogy Blog http://ny-genes.blogspot.com On Tue, Mar 11, 2008 at 7:13 PM, M <[email protected]> wrote: > Just a thought, has anyone called (Dept of Health) to see if there really > is a law against it? I work late hours all week, or I'd call to ask. I > think I was told once before as long as the rules for time were followed... > here is a list from NYS Dept of Health > > Birth certificates - if on file for at least 75 years and the person > whose name is on the birth certificate is known to be deceased. > Death certificates - if on file for at least 50 years. > Marriage certificates - if on file for at least 50 years and the bride and > groom are both known to be deceased. > > And a link to their website as well as contact information. > > http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/phforum/foil/foil.htm > > As long as the person is not alive, where would identity theft come into > play? For that matter, someone could get a copy of a draft card (WWI or > WWII) and use the date of birth, parent information and steal that identity. > Bottom line is, it happens no matter what "security" the government > imposes. And at what cost to a person's freedom to information? > > Marcy N. >