New York

My lineage society says I need vital records from NY. Do I need a court order?

I’ve heard this come up as a point of confusion often recently… New York State has restrictions on the access to vital records. (NY City has its own records system.) A lineage society requires that vital records be provided for the applicant, their parents, and their grandparents. The parents are deceased. The applicant is toldContinue reading “My lineage society says I need vital records from NY. Do I need a court order?”

Joining the Dames on an ancestor from Nantucket?

To join the Colonial Dames, you have to be descended from an ancestor that fulfilled a certain role or held a certain position. For two out of the three Dames societies, the roles and positions considered to make an ancestor “eligible” depend on the ancestor’s colony of residence. If your ancestor is from Nantucket, thingsContinue reading “Joining the Dames on an ancestor from Nantucket?”

How do I document Revolutionary era service in New York?

Are you looking to document Revolutionary War era service for a DAR or SAR patriot from New York? First all, realize it might be a challenge. New York City and Long Island were both occupied during the War. As a result, New Yorkers were supported the American cause were sometimes forced to swear allegiance toContinue reading “How do I document Revolutionary era service in New York?”