This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/4RB.2ACE/3139.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Hi, there. Unfortunately-- that town clerk was absolutely wrong to do that unless she had the express permission of the NYS Archives in Albany. Because of the fire in Albany, many of the old papers were burned up, so the NYS Archives requires through their records retention policies to have town clerks get their permission to destroy pre-1910 town records. The town is mandated to follow the rules of the MU-1 NYS retention and disposition schedule. If you go to the NYS Archives website, you can get more information there about the policies if you contact that region's Records Advisory Officer (RAO). Thompkins county may be in region 6 or 7. Please pass this along to any town clerks who are thinking of destroying old records because of space-concerns, lack of knowledge. It is a sadness when the old stuff gets destroyed, huh?