New York Yearly Meeting Microfilm Collection

New York Yearly Meeting Records Committee encourages the use of its records and those of its constituent bodies for research. To protect the privacy of living individuals it is, however, necessary to impose restrictions on access to certain categories of records.

Records of the Yearly Meeting and its subordinate bodies that may be expected to include protected information about individuals will be protected for a period of 75 years from date of creation. Such records include personnel records, social service case records, medical histories, school records, library records, financial contributions, and clerks' correspondence. The Clerk of the Yearly Meeting or the Clerk of the relevant subordinate body may grant access to the records for legitimate research in which the identities of living individuals will be protected. Requests for access will be referred to the Yearly Meeting for forwarding to the appropriate clerk.

Staff of the repositories where the Yearly Meeting's records are deposited will ensure that these restrictions are maintained.

Except as otherwise directed by the appropriate constituent meeting, the same restrictions will apply to the records of the preparative, monthly, and quarterly meetings and worship groups belonging to New York Yearly Meeting. In addition, the records of Overseers and Elders and Committees of Worship and Ministry, or their equivalent bodies in such constituent meetings will be restricted for a period of 75 years, unless otherwise directed by the appropriate meeting or worship group. Application for access to such records should be addressed to the Clerk of the meeting or worship group.