Manhattan Birth "Certificates" began in 1866, but the NYC Municipal Archives has microfiche of earlier Birth Indexes and accompanying "Registered Births" in microfilmed ledger pages. These include midwife records. These are the most tedious records to search due to the condition of the films, quality of microfilm readers, and small, handwritten, Rolodex sized cards uses in index. I recently searched these in person as early as 1852. There were a surprising number of Irish births registered, but a preponderance of German and WASPy surnames. There are births attributed to mothers only. Here are TRACY/TRACEY/TREACY Births with all the information from the index: CHILD DATE FATHER MOTHER NOTES: 1864 Patrick TRACY 3/13/1864; Michael TRACY & Ellen; 215 Hester St. Mary TRACY George TRACY & Elizabeth; 267 E. 8th St. 1865 James TRACY 4/16/1865; William TRACY & Catherine; 99 Forsyth; Vol 13, P 205 1866 male TRACY 8/26/1866; Pat TRACY & Catherine; Cert# 5728 Michael TRACY 5/18/1866; John TRACY & Elizabeth KELLY Michael TRACY 3/22/1866 1867=0 Barb