[net.roots] Genealogical Research and the New York State Census

steve1@pyuxu.UUCP (S Stein) (08/20/84)

I think this is the right newsgroup (if not let me know).

Problem: I have been doing genealogical research on my family
for some time now, but the Brooklyn (N.Y.) county clerk's office
has put a new stumbling block in the way that I would appreciate
some help on. Last December I visited the office at Borough Hall
where the 1892, 1905, and 1915 New York State Census records are
kept. I left 3 requests to have the census searched (2 in 1905,
1 in 1915) for specific people at specific addresses. Each was
left with $1 and a self-addresses envelope. I expected to hear from
them in a matter of weeks. Instead, I have been waiting ever since,
and phone conversations that I have made to the office to find
out where my applications are have resulted in rude responses from
the man in the census office. Now I find out that I may need notarized
statements that my requests are for genealogical research, however
they don't do requests for genealogical information, or, as the
man told me, they'll "do them" when they "get some time". Friends
of mine have NOT had similar problems in Manhattan; in fact, the
people are helpful and friendly. Has anyone out there been successful
in having these censuses searched (perhaps through Albany),
or found a way to examine them yourselves? Any advice or help would
be greatly appreciated.

				Steve Stein
				Bell Communications Research
				pyuxu!steve1 201 981-2136 (before 8/24)
				rruxu!steve1 201 699-2325 (after 8/24)