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Archiver > NYSUFFOL > 1999-12 > 0944497755


From: <>
Subject: [NYSUFFOL] Vital records
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 11:29:15 EST


Judy, from Wisconsin & Suffolk-Rootsers, etc.,


On 12/04/1999 (7:13:24 AM EST), Judy from Wisconsin (),
writes,

"I'm new to the list, but would like some advice on ordering vital records. I
need to obtain recent (1988, 1996, 1999) death records for genealogical
purposes. And I'm not a descendent, but the individuals are in my family
line. One of these is in Suffolk County, one in Queens, one in NYCity. My
confusion is:

NY vital records, "genealogy copies are available if the certificate has been
on file for at least 50 years." Does that mean I can't order a genealogy
copy, have to order an official copy, or I can't get any copy that is less
than
50 years old?

Do these 'rules' apply if I request the one from Suffolk County?

And if anyone has tips on ordering death certificates for NYCity or Queens,
I'd sure appreciate some help. The NY Vital Records website information is
unclear to me.

Hope I made my request clear. BTW, I'm researching HUTCHINSON in
Suffolk County in the late 1800s and the 1900s."



First, Queens has been part of New York City since January 1, 1898.

Second, for vital statistics on people in the communities of Suffolk County:

The collection of Vital Records in New York State begin in 1881, and are
required to be kept by the city or town, as the case may be, in which the
event (birth, death, marriage) occurred and by the state (Albany).

Some of the larger villages do maintain these records, but not all villages
do as they may voluntarily waive their right to do so and make it a
responsibility of the town(s) in which the village is (are) in. If the place
where the event occurred is in a village, the Town Clerk will tell you if the
village or the town maintains the record.

Currently, Suffolk County consists of 10 towns (from west to east):

Huntington
Babylon
Smithtown
Islip
Brookhaven
Riverhead
Southold
Southampton
Shelter Island
East Hampton


Good luck.

Sincerely,

Walter Greenspan

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