N.Y. Surr. Ct. Proc. Act § 1423

§ 1423. Record of wills in former courts of probate; evidence\n The exemplification of the record of a will proved before the judge of\nthe former court of probate and recorded in his office before January 1,\n1785, certified under the seal of the officer having custody of the\nrecord, shall be admitted in evidence in any case after it has been made\nto appear that diligent and fruitless search has been made for the\noriginal will.\n