---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 03 Jan 1997 06:11:42 EST
From: Ruth A Messick <unlimitd1@juno.com>
To: New England genealogy list <NORTHEAST-ROOTS@rmgate.pop.indiana.edu>
Subject: SSDI
Regardless of what the SSDI does, it helps those researching New York
State deaths.
New York State (excluding NYC) vital records are "protected" longer than
anyone elses and thus makes it difficult to find people. Some states only
take a day or two to record them and you can have them within a couple of
days of the event being recorded. Florida is that way, unfortunately, I
need New York everything.
Deaths and marriages are protected 50 years so we have available only
1880-1947
Births, however, are protected 75 years so we have available only
1880-1922.
When they first started requiring the municpalities to send these vital
records, they didn't really get rolling until about 1883 so many are just
not there the first few years.
If you require a vital record, it is recommended that you obtain the
actual date of the event and where it is recorded by viewing the
microfiche at the New York State Archives, 11th Floor of the Cultural
Education Center, in Albany, NY. The archives does have an inexpensive
service to look up that info, giving as much about the event. Name, date
(or possible year) and whatever you know that might aid the search. In
case of marriage, send both names and they can check to see if the same
id number is after both, then they know they have the correct marriage.
DO NOT WRITE TO NEW YORK STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT in Albany as they are
running an average of 4 months to 18 months behind. Once the actual
municpality is supplied to you with the actual date, write directly to
them with the exact info, requesting cost and it might take you a month
or less. Some clerks insist that you must get it from Health Department
in Albany but that is not true. Any record in any municpality is as
available to you as obtaining a deed. Any problems with that should be
directed to Robert Freeman, Committee for Open Government, Albany, NY or
call him 518-474-2518.
By law, clerks and municipal historians are employed to record and assist
the public in matters of record. Any difficulty in this area is best
discussed with Robert Freeman.
Many County Clerks refused to allow people to look at Military Discharge
Records and said they were protected. Bob wrote a letter to the federal
government agency in control of those and received the reply that they
were public record. With a copy of that letter, Bob wrote a letter to
each County Clerk in New York State stating that there was no such law
and they were required to put them out immediately. A veteran may
request that their information be kept from public use but that is rare.
Good hunting.
Ruth Ann