Reclaim The Records

Happy New Year, you guys! It's time for our 2025 Year in Review, and a look ahead to 2026 -- what records are going online next?! www.reclaimtherecords.org/about/year-i...

This is huge. Thank you for your efforts in freeing up records that should already be free!

Our 'Giving Tuesday' Gift to YOU: The New York State Death Index, 1880-2017 After YEARS of fighting with the state of New York, we just put it all online -- and there might even be some more data to come! Read all about it in our latest newsletter issue: mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...

YOU GUYS! IT'S FINALLY ONLINE! IT'S TOTALLY FREE! IT'S THE NEW YORK STATE DEATH INDEX, 1880-2017! www.newyorkdeathindex.com

@reclaimtherecords.org , I wish you every success in your lawsuit again the VA which is now refusing to fulfill FOIA requests. I got in my request about my father in WW2 probably on July 8. It is already more than half through October, and I haven't even received a denial.

What's a #FOIA Appeal? What's some good language to use when you want to argue with the government about why they should be giving you the file you asked for, instead of some "genealogy letter"? We got you covered, fam. Check out our advice in our latest newsletter: mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...

✊ Always Appeal! ✊ Did the VA refuse to send you a full copy of a C-File (claims file) that you requested under #FOIA for a deceased veteran? Well, we now have some attorney-approved sample texts you can use to fight back! Check out BIRLS.org/appeals for the latest!

I received numerous denials in the mail recently, which made me absolutely livid. I will absolutely appeal if able.

I finally had my FOIA fulfilled for my great grandfather, only for it to be bare bones textual genealogical information and not scans of his WWI file. Waiting for the language to understand how I can best appeal.

Got one of these FOIA denials in response to records for my and @kneld.bsky.social’s grandfather’s files. Ready to appeal!

NEW: We just published 1.5 million NEW BIRLS records for 2020-2023, ALL FREE -- but now the VA doesn't want you to see any of them! Read all about it in our latest newsletter: mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...

Czech immigrant ancestral village search success story thanks to @reclaimtherecords.org helping get the NYC vital record images published. From all US records, only an 1878 birth record showed the birth locations of the parents. Kuttenberg is the German exonym for Kutna Hora. #Genealogy #Czech

APG has issued a letter to the Mayor of Washington, D.C., urging the reinstatement of funding for the planned DC State Archives building. This vital project protects historical records & supports ongoing research efforts. www.apgen.org/docs/3_June_...

OUR BILL PASSED the New York State Assembly yesterday -- UNANIMOUSLY! 🤩 It's still not a done deal yet. It has to go to the governor, and be signed, and not have last-minute line-item edits or a veto. But we are now SO much closer to reforming New York's vital records access!

UPDATE: The proposed state bill we're supporting to put millions of scanned-and-indexed older New York vital records online PASSED the NYS Senate today, 50-9! Now it needs to go through the Assembly... You can subscribe to the bill's progress here: www.nysenate.gov/legislation/...

When Reclaim the Records shows up, institutions should save themselves the time and money and just give them the records. RTC is going to win. #genealogy

Here's the official video of our intrepid attorney-by-day (and genealogist-by-night) Michael Moritz bravely arguing (and winning!) our case at the New York State Court of Appeals, in case you want to see an episode of "Law and Order: Special Genealogy Unit". www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEFf...

Ahem. The latest issue of our newsletter is finally out. It's a big one. WE WON THE FULL NEW YORK STATE DEATH INDEX, THE WHOLE THING, 1880-2017, WE BEAT THE LARGEST GOVERNMENT AGENCY IN NEW YORK AND WE'RE SETTING MORE THAN TEN MILLION RECORDS FREEEEEE Read all about it: mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...

Another amazing victory for @reclaimtherecords.org - and, of course, all genealogists! 👏👏👏

You guys...? We did it. 🥰 We won the FULL NEW YORK STATE DEATH INDEX FOR 1880-2017! We beat the largest government agency in the state of New York (@nysdoh.bsky.social), in the highest court of the state, through a Freedom of Information Law (#FOIL) suit. www.reclaimtherecords.org/records-requ...

big big big news that's been YEARS in the making and tomorrow's the day when we're finally going to tell you guys all about it but for tonight, enjoy a little hint (lawyer-approved) 😊

We know you've all been oh-so-patiently waiting for our promised press release about that "big case that we won". But look, we didn't want to send it out right before a three-day weekend! Hang on, very good news is coming soon. 😎

We just got big news in our biggest-ever lawsuit. 😳 AND IT’S GOOOOOOOD press release dropping soon

Another update! The bill we helped develop and are supporting, to get scanned New York State historical records PUT ONLINE, to enshrine the indices as OPEN under state #FOIL, and to ENSURE access to historic records is moving! More progress! assembly.ny.gov/leg/?default...

Also, shout-out to @reclaimtherecords.org for making those AR-2s so easy to find!

The other half of the Pope's family tree is revealed! #genealogy

Anyone researching New York State knows what a travesty obtaining vital records has become. We need a new law!

🚨 Reclaim The Records is working on A BRAND NEW LAW in the New York State Legislature! 🚨 We want to finally FIX New York State historical records access, and put it all online for everyone! And we need your help! Read our latest newsletter: mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...

We're going to be announcing some GOOD news soon. Here's a hint. 😉

Folks waiting on BIRLS requests from the VA, don't give up hope. I just got three letters confirming receipt (after 9 weeks). They can't find the file on one of those vets, but I'll be getting files for a great uncle and his son. Genealogy happy dance. #ancestry #genealogy #familyresearch #veterans

on trend

thinking about buying 23andme and then uploading all the genomes to the Internet Archive www.cnbc.com/2025/03/24/2...

Public records are crucial, especially now with government websites disappearing, efforts to operate out of public view, and the National Archives in disarray.

Look what came in the mail today!!! My first FOIA response from the VA!! @reclaimtherecords.org