A number of areas I have researched have indexes for all deaths in the state published or on line. Ohio for instance has all deaths from 1912-1937 on-line at the Ohio Historical Center, and 1950-1995+ on Ancestry.com. Some counties have published books for 1867-1908. Illinois has an on-line index for 1916-1950, and Cook County has microfilm for 1871-1916. I have not found any NY indexes on-line. Are there any? If not, are there book or microfilm listings available somewhere should I visit your fair state?

New York State indexes for vital records are not on line. The Department of Health policy is that the indexes themselves are not to be in the public domain, as are the vital records within certain time limitations. The vital records reporting system begins in 1881. Births are listed in the indexes up to 75 years ago; marriages and deaths up to 50 years ago. Anyone may read the indexes and anyone may order any of those vital records in the indexes, with certain provisos. Here's the way it works: you go to one of four places (the NYS Archives Reading Room in Albany is the one I use) and read the indexes on microfiche. After transcribing the likely listings with their all-important state numbers, you may order at the archives, after completing the required form and enclosing a check for $22 each. You'll probably receive the vital records in two weeks or so. What you'll get is a photocopy of the original record. If you order by mail, even when you know the state's number, the wait is six months or more, I understand. In New York State vital records events are recorded in the municipality -- village, town or city -- in which they occurred. In some cases you will get great cooperation from the municipality clerk. In other cases, you will receive a form with information typed on a modern form, which doesn't have enough spaces for the information that's on the original. It's a good idea to telephone the clerk first and see what kind of form they are currently using. My preference is the photocopy of the original form. Nancy Johnsen Curran The Continuum Genealogy research and photography in the capital region of New York State http://pages.prodigy.net/nancycurran for the certificate ----- Original Message ----- From: "Thomas Hickey" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2003 1:35 PM Subject: [NYOnonda] Death Index for NY > A number of areas I have researched have indexes for all deaths in the state > published or on line. Ohio for instance has all deaths from 1912-1937 > on-line at the Ohio Historical Center, and 1950-1995+ on Ancestry.com. Some > counties have published books for 1867-1908. Illinois has an on-line index > for 1916-1950, and Cook County has microfilm for 1871-1916. > > I have not found any NY indexes on-line. Are there any? If not, are there > book or microfilm listings available somewhere should I visit your fair > state? >