Joan

When I mentioned the LDS website I was not referring to their online indexes and databases. I meant their library catalog of the the books, microfilms, and microfiches they have in their library. The films and fiche can be rented by their "library branches" called Family History Centers located at some LDS (Mormon) churches throughout the world.

Not everything is on the internet. I wish Michigan's Governor and State Reps and Congressman would realize this as the Governor is trying to abolish our State Library and Archives (the 10th best gene. research place in the country). For those on the maillist reading this if you have used this great resource in the past go to the Michigan Genealogical Council's website and find out how non-state residents can help (who to write to) before it is too late.

Joan, This morning I did some looking around after seeing your confusion. After checking the LDS library catalog myself, finding the court of appeals website which sent me to a couple other places I've added to my research knowledge and have an answer for you.

The New York Court of Appeals only holds on to its records for two years. After that the records (of whatever type) are sent to the New York State Library or Archives. (Same building separate departements.)

After checking the Archives' catalog I think the following page will help you:

http://www.archives.nysed.gov/a/research/res_topics_legal_pr...

To learn more about each record series click on the online catalog (make sure searching archives not library) or go to the archives website

http://www.archives.nysed.gov/

Click on the archive catalog

Whichever way you get there when excelsior comes up

Type in wills and get 37 hits

I think you want J0038 --- specifically J0038-82 Probated Wills, 1671-1815 (10 cu. ft.) [11 rolls microfilm] ----) but there are other possible related series to this one (ie administration papers etc like J0033)

Print/read thru the catalog descriptions so you can determine which series you need to look at after finding the will in J0038-82 microfilm or with luck and a nice archivist you can view the originals in J0038-92 if the will was not filmed on the -82 films (if you or a hired researcher are there at the archives). Apparently you can interlibrary loan these -82 will films but you may need to email/call the archives to determine which film roll you need since there are 11.

Finding that out may make is easier for your local library that participates in interlibrary loan to get the right film.


I pondered this a little bit because I know a lot of NY court records are microfilmed. And the catalog entry says the LDS filmed them. So I went back to the LDS library catalog and I think I found a couple corresponding entries for the J0038-82 microfilms at the archives but I'm not sure which is what you seek if you go the LDS Family History Center renting route.

Go to www.familysearch.org

under library tab select library catalog

select place and type New York

Then go to the bottom of the list and click next until you get to the final page of the list where New York - Probate Records is located. Click on that.

Then select the following

Record of wills recorded at Albany, New York, 1629-1802; index 1629-1828

This I believe is the same materials as J0038-82 (though microfilm count is different. This was filmed when the materials were at Queens College so organization may have been slightly different ie what was kept with what.) The author list references the Court of Appeals as added author and the book you found. BUT this set appears to only go up to 1802.

(I find it easiest and most clear to view the printable page version which combines both the catalog listing information and the actual microfilm list description and roll numbers instead of having to flip between two internet pages. I also print it out and take the page with me when I go to order the film and take it with me when I go to view the film so I know what I’m looking at on that film. Okay I’ve ordered a lot of film.)

There is also these entries in the Probate Records list

Wills, 1787-1822
and
Wills, 1799-1829

which are both only 1 microfilm but they have under their notes:
Microfilm of original records at the Office of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals for the State of New York in Albany.

If you contact the archives about which -82 will film you want for interlibary loan you might want to ask if they can confirm which are the corresponding microfilms at the LDS for the J0083-82 wills (since there is a disparity in the year range) and for the appropriate related administration papers J0033 which did not say in the archives' excelsior catalog could be interlibary loaned).

I hope this helps. I know its not the simplest answer "go here" but it's close. (At least this material seems not to have gone up in the 1911 Albany fire like so much I have needed in the past.) I can't remember if I found anyone in that original abstract book that brought this question up, but I think I'll re-look at it since I now know where to locate the original (or film of) that the abstract was taken from.

Again Good Luck

Lisa