Susan
>
>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
>
>
>
Susan Walski
Genealogy: The only hobby where finding dead people can excite you!
http://www.eideti.com/~swalski