Berlin, Connecticut's inventory of vital records books and other source materials for pre-1900 vital recordsBerlin

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

A complete catalog, inventory, index, log, report, or other listing of (1) all the books in your possession or control which registrars used to record birth, marriages, deaths, and burials before 1900 (including any Land Records books and/or Town or Proprietors Meeting/Minutes/Record books which include any records of birth, marriages and deaths) and (2) other books, records, and documents in your possession or control which index, copy, regroup, reference or support town birth, deaths and marriages, including communications or reports of communication from ministers, justices of the peace, sextons, and other witnesses to any aspect of births, marriages, burials, and/or deaths prior to 1900.

I also request that, if possible and pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-212(d), fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest and not made for commercial gain. The requested documents will be processed by a representative of the news media/press and made available to the public at MuckRock.com.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 4 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Linda MacLachlan

Thank you for your prompt response. I hope you don't mind a follow-up question.
Your Arnold Index abstracts vital records in your office as early as 1785. Examining his work, it is clear that he indexed an earlier book of at least 139 pages of births and marriages prior to 1850. According to Lucius B. Barbour, Connecticut Examiner of Public Records from 1922 to 1934, who directed the creation of your "Arnold Index, this book bears the title "Book of Marriages." See attachment. Surely Berlin has not lost a book of vital records!
Thank you for your help.
Linda MacKachlan

Thank you for your prompt response. I hope you don't mind a follow-up question.
Your Arnold Index abstracts vital records in your office as early as 1785. Examining his work, it is clear that he indexed an earlier book of at least 139 pages of births and marriages prior to 1850. According to Lucius B. Barbour, Connecticut Examiner of Public Records from 1922 to 1934, who directed the creation of your "Arnold Index, this book bears the title "Book of Marriages." See attachment. Surely Berlin has not lost a book of vital records!
Thank you for your help.
Linda MacKachlan