Genealogy
Family historians will find New York rich in historical resources that can be used to identify individuals on a family tree and explain the context in which they pursued their lives.
Genealogical Records in the New York State Archives
Although the records in the State Archives document functions and activities of State government, many record series contain information about individuals. Among these are:
- You can continue your search for family related records using Excelsior, the online catalog of the New State Archives and State Library.
- Indexes to older birth, marriage, and death certificates filed with the New York State Department of Health. You can learn more about these resources in the State Archives publication Vital Records
- Military records document the service of many individuals who served in the State's armed forces during conflicts including the War of 1812, the Civil War, Spanish American War and World War I. The records contain summary data on military service, usually taking the form of financial claims, cards, registers, or one-page abstracts.
- Researchers may also search a database of New York soldiers who served in the Civil War, by name or by regiment.
- Most court records and state institution records are not indexed, or are indexed only partially. Therefore, researchers should have specific information about a case or individual before reviewing these records. Access to records concerning individuals in state institutions is restricted by law, but some agencies have developed policies that allow researchers to request permission to use restricted material. See the State Archives' access policy for further information.
- The Probate Records pathfinder will help you locate probate records in New York State while the Archives publication provides further details on probate records located at the State Archives.
- Guide to the Records of the New York State Department of Corrections
- Other resources which might be of use include State Archives publications on Genealogy and Naturalization Records and the Naturalization pathfinder.
Genealogical Records available throughout the State
Historical societies, libraries, museums, archives, and other organizations around New York provide resources for family historians and genealogists. You can find valuable details in diaries, letters, business records, deeds, wills, photographs, oral history tapes, and many other types of information created by people and organizations in the course of their daily activities.
- Find family records and resources in the Community and Genealogy sections of Rediscovering New York History and Culture
- Find a repository near your ancestral home through the New York State Historical Records Repository Directory
- Local governments, whether a town, city, school, or county, often hold records, such as birth, marriage, death, military, naturalization, court records, that relate to individuals.
- Find a local government that might hold your family records by searching the Directory of New York State Local Governments
- Find family-related records in the Historic Documents Inventory, the statewide section of Excelsior.