Getting Church Documents

[Normandie]

I ran into something today I haven't encountered before in getting Baptism and Marriage Certificates. I was told I couldn'ts have 2 marriage certificates even thou I supplied all the information and sent request in writing. The Churches were St. Vincent De Paul in Elmont, N.Y. and St. Kevins Church in Flushing, N.Y. I have gotten lots of Baptism and Marriage Cerrtificates on lots of relatives before this. Both Secretaries at Church said by privacy act they could not send certificate. Please let me know if any one else has run into this recently. In my research these certificates have supplied lots of information for following up on relatives. N.

[PeterTimber]

Hi Normandie... Go to Archdiocese of Rockville Centre and ask for Bishop William Murphy (you willbe cut off by a receptionist ) at 516-678-5800 and make your request citing your previous attempts directly at the parish St. Vincent De Paul in Elmont and the response you were given. Advise them of your genealogical interests andwould like intercession by the archdiocese in granting the parish approval to furnish you with the documents you are seeking. Mention a donation for the effort on the part of the clerical staff. =Peter=

[Normandie]

Peter Thanks for the information. I have never had trouble getting documents before. I always give a donation or what they ask for. I was surprised these two Churches said that. I didn't know if this was new policy and just wondered if any one else had run into this recently. Actually I have been sent 3 documents by other Churches in New York City area in last month.. N..

[Italysearcher]

You don't say what year you are requesting these records for.
If it is within the last 70 years they are within their rights to decline your request unless you are directly connected (descended) to the persons named.

[Normandie]

I am related to everyone I have requested. Some are over 70 years ago and some aren't. Some are deceased and some aren't. I guess because I have always gotten them before it threw me off. I always send written requests. I explain my relationship to person and that I am writing this history for my family and that I have person's consent if they are living. I realize that privacy is important and protected by the law. But just hadn't had this happen till now. Thanks for your reply. I will continue to search for my relatives and try to prove their birth dates and marriage dates. Sometimes the Church record is only proof you can obtain. For example my Grandmother was born in New York City in 1892. I had her death certificate. I also had ordered her original Social Security application. I sent 2 different requests to New York City Archives for old records. They never could find her birth certificate. However by contacting several Churches in the Little Italy area of NYC , I was able to find out where she was baptized. It verified the date of her birth and her parents. She was baptized about month after she was born. I even was able to prove where the family was living. This was a great find for my research. Thanks. N.