Talk:New York Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records

Requesting the Documents
The article would be more helpful if it explained how to take the information provided to make a request for the records. I see that it provides the Film Number, but no "certificate number" is listed -- and I have been told that for NY records the certificate number is needed. There is a "reference number" provided, but it is not clear as to what that is. — Preceding unsigned comment added by DDub (talk | contribs) 01:55, 29 January 2012 (UTC)


 * Klk3 23:51, 30 January 2012 (UTC) Resolved.  User:Saguache214 2 March 2012 (UTC)

Requesting the Documents
There is a section in the wiki article that explains how to find the original source for most entries in the collection:Finding the Original Source for an Entry in This Collection Each entry in this index has a source listed which includes a batch number. You will need to trace the batch number for the individual entry to learn its source. Please see the following wiki articles for more information on batch numbers:

IGI IGI Batch Number Descriptions IGI Batch Numbers for the British Isles and North America If an FS Library film number is given in the entry for your ancestor, search for it in the FamilySearch Catalog.

I searched for Julian Cavener, born in Buffalo, Erie, New York in 1846. The information given about her lists a batch number C04148-7, the origin of her record being from NEwYork-EASy, a film number 928696 and a reference number pg. 34-#87.

I followed the instructions given in the IGI Batch Numbers for the British Isles and North America. This took me to OpenGen.net. I found the county and record type for Julian Cavener's entry which took me to the old IGI index. Once I typed Julian's name in again, I was taken to his IGI listing. I clicked on her name and found pretty much the same information that I had found in the original collection index, which means that his information came from the IGI. Because there is a microfilm number I started there. The catalog is listed at the top of the page beneath, Discover Your Family History. I clicked on Catalog. I like to use the previous version, so I clicked on that link.The Film/Fiche Search option allowed me to type in 928696. The Title listed is Church records, 1843-1900 Catholic Church. St. Mary (Buffalo, New York). Clicking on the title and the view film details box tells me that this film has Baptisms from 1843-1899. This is the film that the IGI data was extracted from. If you want to see the original information, you have several options: Explore the possibility of contacting St. Mary's Church in Buffalo. My father had good luck visiting a Catholic parish to see his mother's christening certificate. Order this film through a Family History Center. There will be a fee for doing this.

Does anyone else have any suggestions for ways to follow up on this information?

I also played a little with the Batch number sites but in this case didn't find and additional information. Has anyone else been able to find out more information about a search result using those sites?

HoranDM 22:39, 31 January 2012 (UTC)

HoranDM, Thank you for the case study and helpful tips to this request. User: Saguache214 2 March 2012 (UTC)