Visiting Niagara Falls again to do more family history research, today went to the courthouse to apply for some BMD records, and the person who appeared to be in charge told me that (1) I could only apply for records in my direct blood line, specifically that I could not apply for my father's sister's birth certificate (1898) at all, and (2) the forms she gave me were for making application to Albany. She said that she would not take any requests for records, that they were too busy and too under-staffed to do this "secondary" work. When I told her that it was my understanding that Albany had discontinued all but in-person application for records last August, she told me that she had never heard such a thing. I've tried to "study up" on New York State vital record procurement prior to my trip, and am now totally confused. Going to Lockport tomorrow to do some other research and will see if I can get any further information at the county level, but as I understand it, all vital records are held at the local level. Any advice or suggestions will be gratefully received, and anyone planning a long-distance trip to Niagara Falls in search of vital records, please be warned that you can't count on finding them at the city courthouse. Elsa (in Niagara Falls) from Allegany County, Maryland