Hi! They may not have records from 1865. I have run across this with several states nto just NY ..In Ny records weren't required to be kept until 1880..now some clerks do have earlier records as do some genealogical societies..but in my research I have found very few records before 1880 in NY..I go by headstones, some newspaper articles, some scribble in family bibles, etc..I haven't found any "papers" with the exception of a naturalization, before 1880 in NY. Anyways..good luck! I have spoken to Audrey Klinkenberg before..she is very, very kind and I am sure if there is a record out there for you, she could probably find it! Happy Hunting!! Michele R. Lockwood