Isn't this a matter for the NY State Archives and Records Administration?
The county Surrogate Courts are under the aegis of New York State.

-----Original Message-----
From: Chester Historical Society [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2001 4:39 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Surrogate's Court records destruction!


I was at a talk given recently by the Chief Clerk of our local Surrogate's
Court in which mentioned that she is under orders to send out records for
microfilming.  What is most disturbing is that these original documents
are then destroyed by the microfilm contractor and many of these
microfilmed records are not readable!

Thus the information is lost for ever!

What can be done to save these original documents?


Clifton Patrick
Chester Historical Society
Chester, NY 10918

Direct voice and fax:  845-469-7645
     1915 Erie Station:  845-469-2591