This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: bari_burke Surnames: NYS Hospitals and Catholic Institutions Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newyork.counties.queens/4143.2.1.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Terrible things may have happened, like electric shock therapy, but that's a rare treatment today. What went onin the past is not the issue, it's the laws regarding medical privacy that are fouling up genealogical research. So Andy CUOMO won't be standing against that one! In many cases the institutions hold the death certificates, not the municipalities. Rockland State is known for this. However, Albany does have death certificates,but ordered by mail the wait time is now 6-8 months for a gnealogical copy over 50 years old. However, if the request is hand delievered, as I've done, you usually get a copy in 1-2 months. I'll be going up there soon, if anyone has requests to get. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.