The Steele Memorial Library has the New York State Vital Statistics Index on microfiche. The New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records provides birth and marriage records from 1881, death records from 1880. New York State Vital Records does not maintain records filed in Albany, Buffalo or Yonkers prior to 1914. New York State does file birth records for Queens and Richmond counties for the years 1881 through 1897.

The annual updates are immediately available for the public to use, upon arrival.  The Indexes are now from 1880 to 1937 for births, and 1880 to 1964 for marriages and deaths.

What is it?
This index is organized by year, last name or soundex number, and first name. It also provides the date of the birth, marriage, or death plus a certificate number which one can contact the Vital Statistics office in Albany to purchase a copy of the certificate.

How do I use it?
The guidelines for use are as follows:

1. Present government issued identification such as a drivers license to the reference librarian on the 2nd Floor at the Steele Memorial Library.
2. There is a limit of 3 microfiche per person at a time.
3. If others are waiting, the time limit for a microfiche reader is 15 minutes per person.

4. Photocopying or any other form of duplication is strictly prohibited.

NYS Health Data available online: Genealogical Research Death Index: Beginning 1957

The Genealogical Research Death Index assists individuals with locating New York State (NYS) death records that fall within defined genealogy years, exclusive of New York City recorded death records. This Index contains information on decedents, date of death, gender, age at death, and NYS file number that will allow the public to search for individuals on a variety of genealogy criteria if on file for at least 50 years.