Hi Steve (and all),
Thanks for your further assistance! The trouble with that NYC DOH certificate request process is that it's only for death certificates from 1949 forward. To order a certificate prior to that, I'm directed to the Municipal Archives, and the certificates that come from the municipal archives are the ones that say that the person died of natural causes "more fully described in the confidential medical report filed with the Department of Health." Any thoughts on obtaining information on the COD in that case?
Thanks again!