Could someone tell me how far back NYS's records are available for births, deaths, and marriages? Thanks, Evelyn ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

> Could someone tell me how far back NYS's records are available for > births, deaths, and marriages? A state law was passed in 1880 mandating _all_ cities and towns to keep birth/marriage/death records, but compliance was spotty (50-90%) for over a generation; a stricter law had to be passed in 1915. Earlier birth, death, and/or marriage records are available in a few jurisdictions (including NYC, Albany, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Yonkers) though they aren't directly relevant to Niagara County research. However, you might find a *few* marriages from the 1847-1850 period: an 1847 state law required registration of marriages, and most jurisdictions tried to comply for a couple of years, though eventually everyone just gave up. (If anyone knows of an index to Niagara County marriages for this period, *please* share!) Ellen <niagara@unchi.org>