This is our listing of freely available New York state, county, and city genealogy books online.
New York State Genealogy Books
History of the Genesee country (western New York)
Comprising the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates.
Albany County New York Genealogy Books
Bi-centennial History of Albany. History of the County of Albany, New York
Bronx County New York Genealogy Books
History of the Town of Kings Bridge, New York
Cayuga County New York Genealogy Books
History of Cayuga County, New York
Chautauqua County New York Genealogy Books
History of Chautauqua County, New York
Sketches of the history of Chautauqua County, New York
Chemung County New York Genealogy Books
A brief history of Chemung county, New York
Chenango County New York Genealogy Books
Chenango County, New York Genealogy
This collection was extracted from the History of Chenango and Madison Counties, New York. The genealogy data we’re providing below is specific to the Chenango County portion of the book, except for the Native American History. It presently contains only the towns of Afton and Sherburne.
History of Chenango county, New York
Delaware County New York Genealogy Books
Dutchess County New York Genealogy Books
The History of Dutchess County, New York
General history of Duchess County, New York
Erie County New York Genealogy Books
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.
Memorial and family history of Erie County, New York
History of the Catholic Church in Western New York: Diocese of Buffalo
Memories of Early Days in Buffalo
History of Kenmore, Erie County, New York
Essex County New York Genealogy Books
Pleasant Valley: a history of Elizabethtown, Essex County, New York
Genesee County New York Genealogy Books
A History of the Early Development of the Towns of LeRoy, Bergen, Sweden, Clarkson and Hamlin New York
This manuscript by Mary Smith, written during her time as Hamlin Town Historian, is a splendid example of the best local history can be. She carefully and thoroughly details the history and development of the “Triangle Tract,” as the region which includes the towns named in the title was called in its pioneer days. She covers social and economic aspects of the growth of this region by land developers like the LeRoy family in a comprehensive way not found elsewhere.
Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890
Our county and its people a descriptive and biographical record of Genesee County, New York
Herkimer County New York Genealogy Books
History of Herkimer County, New York
Jefferson County New York Genealogy Books
Genealogical and family history of the county of Jefferson County New York
Jefferson County New York Prior to 1797
1854 A history of Jefferson County in the state of New York
1878 History of Jefferson County NY – Everts and Holcomb
Child’s Geographical Gazetteer of Jefferson County, N.Y., 1685-1890
Brownville New York History from Childs 1890 Gazetteer
The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894
Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, 1898
Jefferson County New York centennial, 1905: speeches, addresses and stories of the towns
Monroe County New York Genealogy Books
Early Rochester family records
Compiled by Anah Yates. Consists of handwritten materials and newspaper articles.
Surname index to Early Rochester family records
Kings County New York Genealogy Books
A History of the City of Brooklyn and Kings County, New York
The social history of Flatbush: and manners and customs of the Dutch settlers in Kings county
Livingston County New York Genealogy Books
A history of Livingston County, New York, Doty, 1876
From its earliest traditions, to its part in the war for our Union: with an account of the Seneca nation of Indians, and biographical sketches of earliest settlers and prominent public men
History of Livingston County, New York, Smith, 1881
Madison County New York Genealogy Books
Chenango County, New York Genealogy
This collection was extracted from the History of Chenango and Madison Counties, New York. The genealogy data we’re providing below is specific to the Chenango County portion of the book, except for the Native American History. It presently contains only the towns of Afton and Sherburne.
Monroe County New York Genealogy Books
A History of the Early Development of the Towns of LeRoy, Bergen, Sweden, Clarkson and Hamlin New York
This manuscript by Mary Smith, written during her time as Hamlin Town Historian, is a splendid example of the best local history can be. She carefully and thoroughly details the history and development of the “Triangle Tract,” as the region which includes the towns named in the title was called in its pioneer days. She covers social and economic aspects of the growth of this region by land developers like the LeRoy family in a comprehensive way not found elsewhere.
Sweden New York New York Genealogy Books
Town of Sweden Sesqui-Centennial Celebration: 1814-1964
This book is a well done job of local history, portraying not only the history of the Town of Sweden, but that of the Village of Brockport too. It covers from the early pioneer days just after the War of 1812 up through the early 1960s. Prominent people, businesses, industries, events and more are covered.
Early Settlers of Sweden: Fifty Years Ago, Brockport in 1829
In 1879 the Brockport Republic newspaper ran a series of articles commemorating the early settlers of Sweden, Brockport, and Clarkson. Stanley Soules was a retiree who made an avocation of local history and in the 1980s transcribed these articles from the microfilm of the paper. They cover the early settlement of the town, layout of early Main Street, and much other information. Mr. Soules added a name index at the end of the series.
Town of Sweden & Village of Brockport
History of the Town of Sweden and the Village of Brockport. The text has many details about local people, pioneer history of the area, institutions and their stories. There are also several pages of illustrations of local people and landmark buildings.
Brockport New York New York Genealogy Books
Brockport, New York: A Narrative of That Place (and the Place of this Narrative)
This historical geography of Brockport, New York covers the period between the initial settlement of the region in 1806 and the onset of industrial decline in 1882. As a study in landscape and community change it links shifting trade networks, ecological foundations, social institutions and life-worlds in a historical narrative. Alterations in social structure, spatial division and definition, and landscape form and meaning are emphasized. The community is shown to have moved from a state of moral community and economic individualism to a state of moral individualism and economic community. Some specific topics discussed are frontier migrations, pioneering, development, mercantilism, the Erie Canal, credit and financial panics, social reform movements, industrialization, class awareness, post-Civil War cultural changes and village beautification
History of Brockport With Vicinity Happenings, 1826 – 1956: Also Biographies of Prominent Men of the Past
Wide ranging series of local history articles by A.B. Elwell covering life in the village of Brockport and the surrounding region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Mr. Elwell was a lifelong resident of Brockport, and a Normal school graduate, class of 1899. The articles ran in the local paper 1954-1956 and cover topics like the history of the fire department, life at Brockport Normal school, the one room schools, livery stables, farm life, early automobiles and much more.
The Reaper Industry in Brockport
A paper on the history of the reaper industry in Brockport NY. Miss Hastings was a keen amateur historian, and a great niece of William Seymour, a key participant in the industry. She covers the history of the industry, including the patent battle between Seymour & Morgan and the McCormick company. The date of writing is uncertain, but Miss Hastings died in 1953.
All Brockport Edition
This is the text and many of the images that ran in a special supplement of the Brockport Republic newspaper on December 18, 1913. The “All Brockport Edition” featured descriptions of many businesses, civic organizations and some individuals, often accompanied by photographs, the surviving ones of which are reproduced here. There is also a history of the village, a narrative description of Main Street in 1860 and much more. It is a vivid capture of the town of 100 years ago!
Brockport Old Home Week News
This special run newspaper was done in the months leading up to the Old Home Week of the summer of 1911. An incomplete set of these papers was discovered and scanned in the spring of 2019. The papers focus not only on the upcoming Old Home Week, but feature profiles of local people, businesses and history, much of it not found elsewhere.
Ray Tuttle Local History Columns
Ray Tuttle was a local man who in the 1940s began writing columns on local history for the old Brockport Republic. He was also at one time the Brockport Village historian. His columns contain a wealth of local history, both for the village and the surrounding area.
Town of Sweden Sesqui-Centennial Celebration: 1814-1964
History of the Town of Sweden and the Village of Brockport. The text has many details about local people, pioneer history of the area, institutions and their stories. There are also several pages of illustrations of local people and landmark buildings.
Old Houses of Monroe County
This book consists of articles describing a number of historic houses, mainly on the west side of Monroe County. There are also some cemetery records and biographies etc. as well.
Clarkson New York New York Genealogy Books
Clarkson Community Church
This material was found in a scrapbook kept by the Morgan & Garlock family. It is ca 1940, and relates the closing and subsequent restoration and reopening of the church. It includes an essay on the history of the church by Mrs. Ernest Fowler.
History of Clarkson, 1803 – 1890
Stanley Soules was a local man who in his retirement in the 1980s transcribed and printed a number of local history articles from the Brockport Republic newspaper. This and the accompanying volume 2 were compiled by him from a series of articles that appeared in the Republic in 1890. The articles detailed the history of Clarkson from the early pioneer days up to the time of writing, with much of the focus on the earlier years. Much good information about early families, farming, social customs, roads, farming etc. Added to the end of volume 1 is a map of Clarkson from an 1872 atlas, to aid in locating people and places.
Rochester New York New York Genealogy Books
Enrollment list, City of Rochester Wds. 1-13 (1920)
Registration list, city of Rochester (1919)
Rochester and Monroe County, New York pictorial and biographical, 1908.
Henrietta Tax Assessment Rolls
History of Monroe county, New York, 1877
Landmarks of Monroe County, New York, Peck, 1895.
Rochester and Monroe County
A history and guide, by the Federal Writers’ Project (N.Y.).
History of Rochester and Monroe county, New York from the earliest historic times to the beginning of 1907. Peck.
The story of Brockport for one-hundred years, 1829-1929
Caledonia : a History of the Town & Village by Esther M. Hayward
This is a name index to the book of the same name; indexed by Donald Specht.
Irondequoit centennial album, 1839-1939
Ogden New York New York Genealogy Books
150 Years in Ogden, 100 Years in Spencerport
This is a name index to the book of the same name by Earl Edgar White; indexed by Donald Specht.
Ogden centennial pioneer reminiscences, 1802-1902 by Augusta E. Rich
Ogden Centennial Pioneer Reminiscences Name Index, 1802-1902
This is a name index to the book of the same name; indexed by Donald Specht.
Rochester New York New York Genealogy Books
Settlement in the West Sketches of Rochester, O’Reilly, 1838
Sketch of Rochester, Monroe County, New York, Williams, 1846
Early history of Rochester 1810 to 1827, with comparisons of its growth and progress to 1860, Harris, 1860
Desultory notes and reminiscences of the city of Rochester, Langworthy, 1868
Its early history, remarkable men and events, strange revelations of the murders, mysteries and miseries, casualties, curiosities and progress of this young and growing city, for the last 50 years
Rochester a story historical, Parker, 1884
Semi-centennial history of the city of Rochester, Peck, 1884
City of Rochester illustrated descriptive, historical and statistical review, 189
Rochester; its founders and founding, Osgood, 1894
Rochester and the Post Express a history of the city of Rochester from the earliest times, Devoy, 1895
Rochester in history and our part in the World War, 1922
The pioneer days of Rochester… 1925
The book of the Rochester centennial, 1934
Schools and Institutions Books
The story of sixty years, 1858-1918 Livingston Park Seminary, Rochester, N.Y.
A historical sketch Rochester Female Academy, 1837-1912.
Commercial and Manufacturing Books
Illustrated history of the Rochester Trades Assembly and the Building Trades Council, Rochester
A history of the brewery and liquor industry of Rochester, N.Y
Commerce, manufactures & resources of Rochester, N.Y A descriptive review, 1881
Historical and descriptive review of the industries of Rochester, 1885
Historical and descriptive review of the industries of Rochester, 1885 trade, commerce and manufactures, manufacturing advantages, business and transportation facilities, together with sketches of the principal business houses and manufacturing establishments in the city.
History and commerce of Rochester, 1894
The industries of the city of Rochester a re´sume´ of her past history and progress
The industries of the city of Rochester a re´sume´ of her past history and progress : together with a condensed summary of her industrial advantages and her development : and a series of comprehensive sketches of her representative business enterprises : incorporating a condensed history of the Chamber of Commerce.
Rochester History in Pictures Books
1889 Rochester illustrated in Albertype
1890 Rochester illustrated published in twelve parts
1909 Rochester: the city photographic
Rochester, the Flower City – A pictorial
Rochester History
Rochester History is a scholarly journal that provides informative and entertaining articles about the history and culture of Rochester, Monroe County, and the Genesee Valley. The Rochester History Index is arranged by subject and includes all issues up to 2009. It is arranged in an easy-to-read format that includes hyperlinked cross references. Use the ABC navigation links at the top to browse the index.
Wheatland, Monroe County, New York a brief sketch of its history
New York City Genealogy Books
History of the Court of common pleas of the city and county of New York
New Harlem past and present : the story of an amazing civic wrong, now at last to be righted
Almshouse Ledger Collection
The records of the Almshouse Ledger Collection represent the activities of the institutions under the purview of various city departments on Blackwell’s Island. Records in this collection date from 1758 to 1952, with the bulk of the records falling between 1832 and 1925. This collection represents a comprehensive, yet incomplete collection of materials produced by each department overseeing the Almshouses and their related entities. These records document the social service, cultural, medical and corrections histories of New York City. This collection was processed by the Municipal Archives in 2016 under a grant funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
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.
Niagara County New York Genealogy Books
Off to school in the past century: a story of early education in Niagara County and the Town of Royalton
History of early education in Niagara County, the early academies and one room schools, teachers and teaching. This is an excellent student paper done in 1962 for a class on the Folklore of the Empire State. The author seems to have been a Niagara County native who had access to a number of old timers to gather their reminiscences about the old schools. Her research carefully covers the early one room schools, the teachers and their teaching, as well as the several academies that flourished in that area in the 19th century. There are several photographs of then surviving old one room schools.
Reminiscing in Royalton
A 1962 history of the town of Royalton in Niagara County NY, written by a Brockport student who was a native of the town.
Oneida County New York Genealogy Books
Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York
Onondaga County New York Genealogy Books
History of Onondaga County, New York
Ontario County New York Genealogy Books
History of Ontario County, New York, part 1
“History of Ontario County, New York: With Illustrations and Family Sketches of Some of the Prominent Men and Families” is a comprehensive historical compilation, organized by Lewis Cass Aldrich and meticulously edited by George Stillwell Conover. Published in 1893 by D. Mason & Co., Syracuse, N.Y., this monumental work illuminates the rich tapestry of Ontario County’s past. Recognizing the voluminous nature of the original single volume, it has been thoughtfully divided into two parts for convenience and accessibility. Part 1 encompasses the historical and biographical narrative of Ontario County, laying the foundation for the genealogical treasures contained in Part 2.
History of Ontario County, New York, part 2
The History of Ontario County, New York genealogical section provides an extensive array of surnames, indicating the comprehensive nature of the section in Part 2. These genealogies not only serve as a reference for individuals researching family histories but also reflects the diverse settler and immigrant populations that have contributed to the fabric of Ontario County. Each surname represents a family’s journey, struggles, and contributions to the county’s development over centuries.
History of Ontario County New York
The second volume of the work, The History of Ontario County New York, and Its People, is a volume of genealogical and family history. In it are chronicles of the people who have made Ontario County what it is. These records are presented in a series of independent narratives relating to lineal family heads, and the most conspicuous representatives down to the 20th century, giving it a distinct personal interest. The first installment of this series includes over 900+ biographies.
A History of Ontario County, New York
Two volumes of information and biographies on Ontario County, New York
Orange County New York Genealogy Books
Orange County, New York History
The history of Orange County, New York
A history of Deerpark in Orange County, New York
Orleans County New York Genealogy Books
Historical album of Orleans county, N.Y., 1879
Landmarks of Orleans County, New York, Signor, 1894
Orleans County Alms House and Cemetery
This book represents a yearlong service learning project of Albion Middle School students, led by teacher Mr. Tim Archer, to investigate and bring to life the forgotten stories of the “inmates” of the Orleans County Alms House, located on County House Road in Albion. The students filed through dusty old death ledgers, maps, abstracts, medical and town records. They conducted countless interviews with public officials, historians, librarians, and residents, and gave formal and informal presentations on what they learned. With funding by the New York State Learn and Serve America Grant, the students designed a historic marker (placed along County House Road), a sandstone monument (placed on the burial site), and this book which is reproduced here.
Historical Album of Orleans County NY
- Clarenden
History of Orleans County, Town of Clarendon. Many details of pioneer history, families, businesses, institutions etc. Also a roster of Civil War service, and illustration of Warren Farm, Bennets Corners. - Pioneer Chapters
This is pages 69-95 of MacNamara’s Orleans County history. The chapters cover early pioneer settlement and life, schools, medicine, roads, government officers and more.
Oswego County New York Genealogy Books
History of Oswego County, New York
Putnam County New York Genealogy Books
The history of Putnam County, New York
Queens County New York Genealogy Books
A Booke of Enterys for Queens County on Long Island, NY
Book of colonial deeds and wills bound in vellum cover. Book is divided with a different back cover, one side is wills, the other is deeds. A later addition is a typed alphabetical index for each part. The manuscripts document the earliest records of Queens County from its foundation and organization in 1683, through the first two decades of its existence.
Arvene, Rockaway New York History
The Arverne Urban Renewal Area extends from Beach Street on the west all the way to Beach 32nd Street on the east and Includes three Rockaway communities: part of Hammels, all of Arverne and most of Edgemere. The city considers Arverne as bounded by Beach 58th and Beach 74th Streets; Hammels as running from Beach 74th Street to Beach 90th Street. The Renewal area is relatively narrow: only that part of Arverne below the present Rapid Transit elevated road (former LIRR) to the Atlantic Ocean. The Urban Renewal Area covers 310 acres. This manuscript provides a history of that specific section of Rockaway.
Corona: from farmland to city suburb, 1650-1935
The story presented here aspires to tell the origins of Corona, its emergence as a village of old Newtown, the integration of the community into Greater New York and the housing boom of the Twenties, ending in the compact, densely built-up Corona of today. Some effort has been made to cover the many aspects that are significant in the makeup of the town – industries, commercial life, transportation, roads and highways, landmarks, topographical changes, and, most important of all, the mix of people and the services created for them – schools, churches, theaters, banks, hotels, etc.
Elmhurst: from town seat to mega-suburb
The following pages cover the whole of the long period from 1652 to 1932, a broad span of 280years. In the early chapters, I have attempted to present every aspect of Newtown, from its beginnings as a tiny village and its later emergenc e in 1683 as the town seat: the evolution of governmental structures, the growth in population, the growing complexity of the economy, the social fabric, the underlying causes of the revolution, Newtown’s part in the upheaval, and the long slow recovery in the years after 1783. The 19th century ushered in the emergence of public transportation, involvement in the Civil War, and the geographical expansion of the village, along with an increased population, and many more buildings and betterments in daily living.
300 years of Long Island City: 1630-1930
The author has attempted to present the panorama of the city of Long Island City from its origin to 1930 with especial emphasis on the 19th century. Considerable effort has been made to cast the net wide enough to embrace not only topography, colonial history, historical figures, families, old houses and estates, but also the sociological aspects of this multi-textured community: the tides of immigration, ethnic coloring, industries and industrial development, transportation, factories, schools, churches, etc.
The Story of Queens Village
Nearly all of the material assembled on Queens Village in this manuscript appears for the first time in print. It was compiled from many sources, the idea being to present a portrait of the community chronologically, geographically and culturally over three centuries.
Preserving the Beachside Bungalows in Far Rockaway
Old Rockaway, New York, in early photographs
The story of Woodhaven and Ozone Park
This manuscript was written upon the 150th celebration of the founding of Woodhaven by John R. Pitkin, a Connecticut Yankee, who bought out several farms in 1835 and had the land mapped out as the future city of Woodville. This manuscripts shares the untold story of Woodhaven: how it was founded, how it grew and the factors that shaped the emerging community into what it is today.
Rockland County New York Genealogy Books
The History of Rockland County, New York
Saratoga County New York Genealogy Books
History of Round Lake, Saratoga County, New York
Schenectady County New York Genealogy Books
A history of the county of Schenectady, New York
Scoharie County New York Genealogy Books
History of Schoharie County, and border wars of New York
Steuben County New York Genealogy Books
History of the settlement of Steuben County, New York
A history of Steuben County, New York
Suffolk County New York Genealogy Books
A History of Sayville, New York
“A History of Sayville, New York,” penned by Clarissa Edwards in 1935, is an invaluable chronicle that sheds light on the early days of this often-overlooked locale. Published by the Suffolk County News Press, this work is a testament to the enduring spirit of Sayville, a village that has woven itself into the fabric of American history, yet remains scarcely mentioned in conventional historical texts.
The Suffolk Times Obituary Index
An alphabetical listing of obituaries that have been printed in the Suffolk Times. The index currently covers 1920-present. The Mattituck-Laurel library retains the microfilm archives of the Suffolk Times from 1876-present.
History of Suffolk County, New York
Story of a celebration, Bridgehampton, Long Island, New York, 1660-1910
First History of West Islip by Gerald and Judith Wilcox
West Islip Oral History Project: Spring 1982In April 1982, as part of the library’s 25th anniversary celebration, Ethel Morris and Carolyn Agenjo interviewed, recorded and photographed fifteen community residents who graciously shared their reminiscences of life in West Islip as it used to be.
Suffolk Life Covers 1964-1969
A nostalgic look back at the people and events of the North Fork through the front page pictures of the Suffolk Life Newspaper
Back Over the Years
Searchable PDF files containing transcribed oral interviews of local Mattituck residents conducted by the Friends of the Library in 1978. These interviews contain a great detail about daily life in Mattituck at the turn of the century and into the early 20th century
Tioga County New York Genealogy Books
Historical Gazetteer of Tioga County, New York, 1785-1888
Warren County New York Genealogy Books
Warren county: a history and guide, New York
Wayne County New York Genealogy Books
History of Wayne County, New York, McIntosh, 1877
With illus. descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories.
Landmarks of Wayne County, New York, Cowles, 1895
Rose neighborhood sketches, Wayne County, New York with glimpses of the adjacent towns: Butler, Wolcott, Huron, Sodus, Lyons and Savannah, Roe, 1893
Military history of Wayne County, New York
History of Palmyra, Wayne County, New York
Westchester County New York Genealogy Books
Westchester County in History, New York
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.
Yates County New York Genealogy Books
History of Yates County, New York