New York Genealogy

This page of our website provides links to New York ancestry and historical narratives about New York. These genealogical records include, vital records (birth, marriage and divorce, death), ethnic records (Black, Native American), court records (land, probate and wills, criminal and civil), church records (Bibles, baptisms, marriages, burials and histories), cemeteries, census records, military records directories and yearbooks.

New York Ancestry

Free New York Genealogy Books
This is our listing of freely available New York state, county, and city genealogy books online.

Seth Hastings Family of Clinton New York
The “Family Record of Dr. Seth Hastings, Senior” by Francis H. Hastings is a genealogical account that documents the ancestry and descendants of Dr. Seth Hastings, Sr., born in Hatfield, Massachusetts, in 1745. This work briefly traces his lineage back to Deacon Thomas Hastings, who emigrated from Ipswich, England, to New England on the ship Elizabeth in 1634. Deacon Thomas Hastings became a freeman in Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1635. The book then advances to a brief overview of the family of Dr. Seth Hastings, Sr., before delving into detailed records of his descendants. The genealogy extends to various families allied to the Hastings through marriage, incorporating a wide array of surnames.

New York Bible Records

New York Biographies

History of Erie County New York
“History of the City of Buffalo and Erie County” by Henry Perry Smith, published in 1884, offers an extensive and detailed account of the development of Buffalo and Erie County. This two-volume work, enriched with illustrations and biographical sketches, serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the historical progression of the region from its earliest days through the 19th century. Volume I focuses on the history of Erie County, New York, and its townships, excluding Buffalo. For the detailed history of Buffalo, readers should refer to Volume II.

History of Buffalo New York
“History of the City of Buffalo and Erie County” by Henry Perry Smith offers a comprehensive account of the development and significant events in Buffalo and Erie County, New York. Published in 1884 by D. Mason & Co. in Syracuse, New York, this two-volume work delves into the early settlement, growth, and transformation of the area. Volume II focuses on the history of Buffalo, New York. For the detailed history of Erie County, readers should refer to Volume I.

Biographies of Orange County New York
These biographies were extracted from the history of Orange County, New York by Russel Headley.

Biographical review this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston, NY

Seneca County New York Biographies
In the 1980’s a series of newsletters were published four times a year by Seneca County NY featuring historical information concerning Seneca county and her past residents. The current historian for Seneca County placed these online using PDF files. One of the main features of each edition were biographical sketches of early settlers of Seneca County. This is a list of those biographical sketches linked to the pdf copy of the newsletter.

Free New York Genealogy Books
This is our listing of freely available New York state, county, and city genealogy books online.

Monroe County Biographies

The Biographical record of the City of Rochester and Monroe County, New York

Notable men of Rochester and vicinity, XIX and XX centuries

RVF Rochester — Biography Men
Twenty volumes of newspaper clippings about Rochester, N.Y. men. Volumes are in more or less alphabetical order. View index here.

RVF Rochester — Biography Women
Twenty volumes of newspaper clippings about Rochester, N.Y. women. Volumes are in more or less alphabetical order. View index here.

1911 Blue book Police Department of Rochester, New York, with complete biographical sketches of each member

New York Cemeteries

New York Cemetery Records
New York records are listed by county then name of cemetery within the New York county. Most of these are complete indices at the time of transcription, however, in some cases we list the listing when it is only a partial listing.

New York Census

New York Church Records

Historical sketch of the Church of St. Antony of Padua, Brooklyn, N.Y. : with an account of the rectorship of Rev. P.F. O’Hare

History of the Catholic Church in Western New York: Diocese of Buffalo

Monroe County

Early marriages in Rochester, Monroe Co. N.Y. and in the vicinity taken from church records and newspapers

Ogden

A manual of the Presbyterian Church in Ogden
Containing notices of its history, a list of its members, its important resolutions and its articles of faith and convenant

Rochester

Churches of Rochester ecclesiastical history of Rochester, N.Y.
Narrative of the rise and present condition of each religious organization : biographical sketches of pastors and clergymen born in the city, with miscellaneous items from August, 1815 to July, 1871

Centennial celebration, First Baptist Church, 1818-1918, Rochester, N.Y.

A brief history of the Brick Church of Rochester, N. Y 1825-1889

A living church the first hundred years of the Brick Church in Rochester

Brick Church Index
This index was created from the monthly church bulletins of the Brick Church, which span the years from March, 1894 to June, 1931. The actual bulletins are available for viewing in the Local History Division of the Rochester Public Library but may not be copied.

History of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, thirtieth anniversary 1902-1932

History of the Brighton Church

Christ Church, Rochester, Western New York a story-chronological, A.D.1854-A.D.1905

1868-1933, the story of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation

Articles of faith, covenant, list of officers and members, statistical history, &c., of the First Baptist Church, Rochester, N.Y., February 8, 1887

First Church chronicles, 1815-1915 centennial history of the First Presbyterian Church, Rochester, NY

Souvenir of the golden jubilee of the Immaculate Conception Church, Rochester, New York

The Lutheran Concordia Church, 1877-1927, Rochester, New York fiftieth anniversary

Souvenir book of the Golden Jubilee of the Most Holy Redeemer Church, Rochester, N.Y 1867-1917

Parsells Avenue Baptist Church Year Book, 1909-1910, with directory of Church Members (Rochester, N.Y.)

History of Rochester Presbytery from the earliest settlement of the country
History of Rochester Presbytery from the earliest settlement of the country embracing original records of Ontario Association, and the presbyteries of Ontario, Rochester (former), Tennessee River, and Rochester City, to which are appended biographical sketches of deceased ministers and brief histories of individual churches.

Roman catholic institutions of the city of Rochester, N.Y.

A forward step Salem Evangelical Church, Rochester, N.Y.

Golden jubilee, 1854-1904 history of St. Bridget’s Parish, Rochester, N.Y.

Church of St. James the Greater, Episcopal fifty years of history, 1874-1924

St. John the Evangelist Spencerport Baptisms
This is a name index to people baptized at this church from the mid-19th century through the 20th century; indexed by Arnold Schockow. The information includes the names of parents, godparents, priests, and spouses. Some records go from baptism through all the sacraments.

Annals of St. Luke’s church, Rochester, N.Y. 1817-1883

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Rochester, N.Y a brief history of the first one hundred years of Rochester

New York Court Records

Abstracts of Wills on File in the City of New York Surrogate’s Office 1660-1680
Abstracts of wills on file in the surrogate’s office city of New York 1660-1680. From May 1787 to the present, county surrogate’s courts have recorded probates. However, the court of probates and court of chancery handled estates of deceased persons who died in one county but who owned property in another. An 1823 law mandated that all probates come under the jurisdiction of the county surrogate’s courts. Each surrogate’s court has a comprehensive index to all probate records, including the unrecorded probate packets. Interestingly enough, there are wills existing and on record at the Surrogate’s Office in New York City for the time-span of 1660-1680. Genealogical extracts of these wills have been provided below.

Monroe County

Wills of Monroe County, New York

1821-1863 Volume 1A, A-L

1821-1863 Volume 1B, M-Z

Cross index to Wills of Monroe County, New York Vol.  1821-1863 Vol. 1B

1863-1874 Volume 2A

Cross index to Wills of Monroe County, New York Vol.  1863-1874 Vol. 2B

Intestate estates of Monroe County, New York

1821-1863

1863-1874

Cross index of intestates of Monroe County, N.Y., 1863-1874 inclusive

Married daughters: taken from Surrogate records of Monroe County, N.Y.
Listed under their husband’s names; work done by The Genealogical Records Committe[e],  Irondequoit Chapter, D.A.R., Rochester, N.Y.

New York Directories

Free New York State and City Directories
This is our listing of freely available New York state and city directories.

New York Ethnic Genealogy

New York Black Genealogy and History

1926 Directory: Published by the Negro Business League of Rochester, N.Y.

1939 Rochester City Directory of Negro Business and Progress

Twelve years a slave
Narrative of Solomon Northup, a citizen of New-York, kidnapped in Washington City in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the Red River, in Louisiana.

Twenty-two years a slave, Austin Steward, 1867
And forty years a freeman embracing a correspondence of several years, while president of Wilberforce colony, London, Canada West.

Slavery unmasked being a truthful narrative of a three years’ residence and journeying in eleven southern states, Philo. Tower, 1856. to which is added the invasion of Kansas, including the last chapter of her wrongs

Narrative of Sojourner Truth
A bondswoman of olden time, emancipated by the New York Legislature in the early part of the present century; with a history of her labors and correspondence.

The Jews of Rochester an historical summary of their progress and status as citizens of Rochester

New York History

Great Riots of New York 1712-1873
A History of all the Great Riots of New York from 1712 to 1873. Includes histories of the Black Riots, Draft Riots, Flour Riot, Stamp-Act Riot, Abolition Riots, Dead Rabbits’ Riot, Astor Place Riots, Spring Election Riots, Doctors’ Riot, and the Orange Riots.

Champlain’s Expedition of 1615 Against the Onondaga
In the year 1615, there dwelt on the south-eastern shore of Lake Huron, between Lake Simcoe and the Georgian Bay, a nation of Indians who were called in their own language, “Wendats” or “Wyandot,” and by the French ” Huron.” There is no record of their having been visited by the white man prior to the above date. In the same year, the Sieur de Champlain, the Father of French Colonization in America, who had entered the St. Lawrence in 1603 and founded Quebec five years later, ascended the river Ottawa as far as the Huron country-Le Caron, the Franciscan, having preceded him by a few days only. These adventurous pioneers were seeking, in their respective spheres, and by concurrent enterprises, the one to explore the western portions of New France, and the other to establish missions among the North American Indians.

The Hoosac Valley: its legends and its history

A History Of Lake Champlain

The Middle West Side – An Historical Sketch

Flushing Institute student register 1845 to 1860 and other information

Pioneer history of the Holland purchase of western New York embracing some account of the ancient remains
and a history of pioneer settlement under the auspices of the Holland Company

History of Erie County New York
“History of the City of Buffalo and Erie County” by Henry Perry Smith, published in 1884, offers an extensive and detailed account of the development of Buffalo and Erie County. This two-volume work, enriched with illustrations and biographical sketches, serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the historical progression of the region from its earliest days through the 19th century. Volume I focuses on the history of Erie County, New York, and its townships, excluding Buffalo. For the detailed history of Buffalo, readers should refer to Volume II.

History of Buffalo New York
“History of the City of Buffalo and Erie County” by Henry Perry Smith offers a comprehensive account of the development and significant events in Buffalo and Erie County, New York. Published in 1884 by D. Mason & Co. in Syracuse, New York, this two-volume work delves into the early settlement, growth, and transformation of the area. Volume II focuses on the history of Buffalo, New York. For the detailed history of Erie County, readers should refer to Volume I.

History of Ossining New York
The “Ossining Chamber of Commerce Golden Jubilee, 1901-1951” commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the Village of Ossining, New York, which was celebrated from September 23-29, 1951. This publication, produced by the Ossining Chamber of Commerce, reflects on the rich history and development of the village, the oldest incorporated village in Westchester County, founded in 1813.

New York Immigration Records

New York Naturalization Records

  • Copies of Petitions for Naturalization
    The Works Progress Administration produced copies of naturalization records for individuals who filed in Federal, state, and local courts in New York from 1790 to 1906, which are contained in this series. The petitions for naturalization originated in various courts, including but not limited to, the New York Court of Common Pleas, the Supreme Court of New York County, the New York County Superior Court, and the County Courts of Kings and Queens Counties. Early petitions for naturalization contained less information than those filed after 1906, but still recorded the petitioner’s name, age, place of birth, occupation, date and place of emigration, as well as date and place of arrival in the United States.

New York Maps and Atlases

  • 1872 Beers Atlas of Monroe County Index
    An alphabetical list of more than 11,500 property owners from Monroe County towns & villages. Pairs with individual maps digitized on Rochester Images or with printed maps available in the Local History & Genealogy Division. Prepared by volunteers from the Genealogy Round Table of Monroe County.

New York Military Records

New York Native American Records

New York Historical Newspapers and their Records

New York Vital Records

  • New York Vital Records
  • Marriages on Long Island, New York, 1802-1855
  • Bronx County
    • New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940
      The collection consists of an index to the marriage records from the five municipal boroughs of New York City and their predecessor counties.
    • NYC Grooms Record Index
      his database contains the indexes to over 1,825,000 marriages recorded by the New York City Health department for the 5 Boroughs of New York City, from 1908 to 1936, and the period 1895 to 1897 for the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. The marriage is listed only by the name of the groom.
    • NYC Brides Record Index
      This database contains the indexes to over 1,825,000 marriages recorded by the New York City Health department for the 5 Boroughs of New York City, from 1908 to 1936, and the period 1895 to 1897 for the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. The marriage is listed only by the name of the bride. The index is NOT complete.
  • Kings County
    • New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940
      The collection consists of an index to the marriage records from the five municipal boroughs of New York City and their predecessor counties.
    • NYC Grooms Record Index
      his database contains the indexes to over 1,825,000 marriages recorded by the New York City Health department for the 5 Boroughs of New York City, from 1908 to 1936, and the period 1895 to 1897 for the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. The marriage is listed only by the name of the groom.
    • NYC Brides Record Index
      This database contains the indexes to over 1,825,000 marriages recorded by the New York City Health department for the 5 Boroughs of New York City, from 1908 to 1936, and the period 1895 to 1897 for the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. The marriage is listed only by the name of the bride. The index is NOT complete.
  • Monroe County
    • Early marriages in Rochester, Monroe Co. N.Y. and in the vicinity taken from church records and newspapers.
    • Brockport
      • Brockport Births, 1925-1953
        This is an index to births appearing in the Brockport Republic and the Brockport Democrat (also known as the Brockport Republic-Democrat) from 1925 to 1953. Indexed by Donald P. Specht.
      • Brockport Marriages, 1856-1917
        This is a name index to marriages appearing in the Brockport Republic newspaper from 1856-1917; indexed by Arnold Schockow.
      • Brockport Marriages, 1925-1953
        This is an index to marriages appearing in the Brockport Republic and the Brockport Democrat (also known as the Brockport Republic-Democrat) from 1925 to 1953. Indexed by Donald P. Specht.
      • Brockport Deaths, 1856-1923
        This is a name index to death notices and obituaries appearing in the Brockport Republic newspaper from 1856-1923; indexed by Arnold Schockow.
      • Brockport Deaths, 1925-1953
        This is an index to deaths appearing in the Brockport Republic and the Brockport Democrat (also known as the Brockport Republic-Democrat) from 1925 to 1953. Indexed by Donald P. Specht
    • Ogden
      • Persons Buried in Ogden, NY
        This is a name index to persons buried in Ogden from 1803 to 2004, gleaned from headstones, cemetery records, and death records; indexed by Donald Specht. 2014 edition.
        • Addendum to Persons Buried in Ogden
          This is a companion to Persons Buried in Ogden and contains additional information gleaned from death and other records; indexed by Donald Specht.
  • Nassau County
  • New York County
    • New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940
      The collection consists of an index to the marriage records from the five municipal boroughs of New York City and their predecessor counties.
    • NYC Grooms Record Index
      his database contains the indexes to over 1,825,000 marriages recorded by the New York City Health department for the 5 Boroughs of New York City, from 1908 to 1936, and the period 1895 to 1897 for the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. The marriage is listed only by the name of the groom.
    • NYC Brides Record Index
      This database contains the indexes to over 1,825,000 marriages recorded by the New York City Health department for the 5 Boroughs of New York City, from 1908 to 1936, and the period 1895 to 1897 for the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. The marriage is listed only by the name of the bride. The index is NOT complete.
    • Bodies in Transit Registers
      This collection consists of bound volumes recording the transportation of bodies in, out and through Manhattan during 1859-1894. These records were maintained by various iterations of New York City’s Health Department to prevent and track disease and death in the city.
  • Queens County
    • New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940
      The collection consists of an index to the marriage records from the five municipal boroughs of New York City and their predecessor counties.
    • NYC Grooms Record Index
      his database contains the indexes to over 1,825,000 marriages recorded by the New York City Health department for the 5 Boroughs of New York City, from 1908 to 1936, and the period 1895 to 1897 for the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. The marriage is listed only by the name of the groom.
    • NYC Brides Record Index
      This database contains the indexes to over 1,825,000 marriages recorded by the New York City Health department for the 5 Boroughs of New York City, from 1908 to 1936, and the period 1895 to 1897 for the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. The marriage is listed only by the name of the bride. The index is NOT complete.
    • Fresh Pond Crematory and Columbarium Interment Index
      This database contains the indexes to over 215,000 cremations that took place at the Fresh Pond Crematory and Columbarium.  It also includes over 4,000 people cremated elsewhere and whose cremains are in niches at the columbarium.
  • Richmond County
    • New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940
      The collection consists of an index to the marriage records from the five municipal boroughs of New York City and their predecessor counties.
    • NYC Grooms Record Index
      his database contains the indexes to over 1,825,000 marriages recorded by the New York City Health department for the 5 Boroughs of New York City, from 1908 to 1936, and the period 1895 to 1897 for the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. The marriage is listed only by the name of the groom.
    • NYC Brides Record Index
      This database contains the indexes to over 1,825,000 marriages recorded by the New York City Health department for the 5 Boroughs of New York City, from 1908 to 1936, and the period 1895 to 1897 for the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. The marriage is listed only by the name of the bride. The index is NOT complete.
  • Suffolk County

New York Websites

Access the County Pages for these organizations here: Free New York Genealogy Websites.

New York Yearbooks