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Subject: [NYALBANY] Albany Wills Court House or LDS
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 16:46:38 EST


We were at the Albany Court House in September. No charge to look at the
indexes, will books or letters of administration books; just help yourself to
the books on the shelves. They charge 5 dollars a page to copy. They wanted
cash and it had to be exact for each separate copy job (book, packet etc.),
no change given so don't carry all twenties. I can't remember them taking
checks or charge because I would have done it that way. It is correct that
they won't copy from the heavy will/let. of adm. books, but if the will isn't
in the packet they may copy it as they did for us. (Note that quite a few
probate packets were lost to fire/water dameage in the 1911 fire. One of ours
met this fate.)
(SEE BELOW FOR ALTERNATIVE LOWER COST METHOD.)

If you plan on going there yourself, you'll want to give yourself at least
two days. If you find something and want to get the probate packet they only
have two times a day that they will go get them. The 1 or 2 pm (can't
remember exact time) deadline is for getting the packet the next morning.
(They told us that the packets are stored upstairs above the court rooms so
they can only get them at certain times when courts aren't in session.) Also
FYI you will be going thru metal detectors so remove possible problem stuff
ahead of time.

They do let you take digital or regular photos. You may want to set the book
on the carpet to get a better angle. Many are encapsulated in mylar plastic
so beware of glare (you'll need a small angle to avoid this). And yes, write
down your info. I had a couple photos not turn out. (I used regular camera. I
had left the digital home because my research buddies usually think I bring
too much computer/camera equipment. BUT this time they wanted it. So next
time I'll bring it all and I'll remind them of this last trip.)

AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD TO GOING TO ALBANY is to go to your local LDS Family
History Center and order the will or letters of administration indexes for
the time period and surnames you want. (Cost varies a little from FHC to FHC,
ours is 3.50 a roll.) When the film arrives review the index making note of
who/when/what volume and page/packet number like you would if you were at
Albany. If you are searching for a lot of one surname, I suggest copying the
index pages (or making note of everyone with that surname) so you can refer
back to it and not have to reorder the film if you discover another person to
research. Then order the film of the will book or letter of adminstration
book. (My cost $7.00 for 2 films (index film and then book film) and at our
FHC 25 cents a page; the smallest will I have is 2 pages, biggest ran 5 or 6
pages.) Also on LDS film are the probate packets, everything that's in the
folders at Albany. These were filmed after 1911 so if Albany hasn't got it,
it's not likely on the film. (I double checked for my missing 1819 packet
because I didn't quite believe them in Albany.)

You can also do your deed and mortgage searches this way. Very easy.

For wills you might be able to skip the index film, by checking the will
index list at www.sampub.com for Albany County.

I've done a lot of will/deed/mortgage searching by microfilm for
Albany/Dutchess/Greene since returning. I loved the experience at the
courthouse but for what I spent on just the two records at Albany (not
including hotel/food), I've gotten tons more by using the LDS films of the
same books. My next trip to the area can now be spent on other resources not
on film.

Hope this helps.

Lisa

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