new york family history research guide and gazetteer

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NYG&B Flagship Publications

Since our founding in 1869, publishing authoritative material focused on New York State genealogy has been a primary focus of the NYG&B.

Our publications provide crucial guidance for researchers, while also preserving essential genealogical work and historical records. In addition to our quarterly periodicals , we have authored a number of comprehensive research guides. Below we provide an overview of our major releases, along with a preview of our forthcoming New York State Archives—A Guide.

New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer

Winner of the 2016 National Genealogical Society Award for Excellence: Genealogical Methods and Sources

This one-of-a-kind textbook is the definitive resource for New York State genealogists and family history researchers. More than 100 experts have reviewed and contributed to this work, which includes authoritative guidance on every key topic about New York family history.

The two-volume 869-page guide has a chapter on each major record group and research resources; guidance on researching all major ethnic and religious groups that have lived in New York; gazetteers and research guides for each of New York's 62 counties; and much more. This publication was revised and updated in 2017.

Print and digital copies are available for purchase. NYG&B members receive a substantial discount on both.

DIGITAL PURCHASE

PRINT PURCHASE

New York City Municipal Archives: An Authorized Guide for Family Historians

Winner of the 2017 National Genealogical Society Award for Excellence: Genealogical Methods and Sources

This book answers the need for historians, genealogists, students, and others to have a clear, rational description of the relevant public records of the City of New York and its predecessor cities, towns, and villages.

Chapters review where records are located, what they contain, and how they can be accessed —including sample document analysis and citations.

Extensive coverage is given to vital records of births, marriages, and deaths; court records; real estate records; and photographs.

Less well-known collections are also covered, including early records of the Dutch and English colonial eras; extensive farm histories that trace deed chains for former Manhattan farms to their earliest days; records of the Civil War Volunteer Soldiers’ Family Aid Fund; and almshouse records, which span 200 years and provide information on the inmates of numerous City institutions.

New York County Guides for Family Historians

The NYG&B has authored a series of guides for all 62 counties in New York State, written specifically for the genealogy researcher.

Each guide includes:

• Locations for all genealogically relevant records in that county.
• A curated list of the most crucial print and online resources for that county.
• A gazetteer with a comprehensive list of historical place names, boundary changes, and important geographical notes.
• A county map showing contemporary town, county, and state boundaries.

Whether you're planning a research trip or searching remotely, these guides will save time and provide essential suggestions not found elsewhere.

Coming in 2024: New York State Archives—A Guide

This publication will identify key collections, strategies, and methodologies for accessing the vast holdings of the New York State Archives. It will become an essential tool for anyone researching New York’s heritage—including its numerous towns and villages—for many years to come.

Experienced researchers will delight in the book’s guide to rarely explored collections, while those new to researching New York families will be pleased to learn of the vast amounts of materials accessible to them online and on-site.

Author Jane Wilcox’s work is supported by an editorial team of editors and reviewers, including staff from the New York States Archives and the NYG&B, members of the NYG&B’s Family History Advisory Committee, and other New York experts.

Revised Edition: NY Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer

• $90 00 $90.00

The New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer is an essential New York resource and serves as the textbook for researching New York genealogy.

Members of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society can purchase this book at a discounted price. To do so, please purchase this publication from the NYG&B online store .  

Revised Edition 2017

We're proud to introduce the Revised Edition, including an updated vital records chapter that keeps researchers informed on the many new online indexes. Revised tables accompany the new chapter organization for this critical and often confusing subject.

More than one hundred other revisions keep researchers up-to-date in the 16 chapters and 64 guides to counties and special regions. The revised edition comprises two volumes.

Part One contains chapters on the many record types and major ethnic and religious groups of New York genealogy.

Part Two encompasses guides for the 62 New York counties, plus a special guide for New York City and for Long Island. A place-name index for more than 11,000 communities assists researchers in finding a locale.

Winner of the 2016 National Genealogical Society Award for Excellence: Genealogical Methods and Sources

More than 100 experts have reviewed and contributed content about local and regional resources and key topics in New York family history. The result is a text with: Chapters on major record groups and research resources, including the most up-to-date and comprehensive review of New York State’s extremely complicated vital records system.

Information on research resources for sixteen major ethnic and twelve major religious groups that have lived in New York.

Gazetteers, maps, and research guides to each of New York’s 62 counties, including the five boroughs of New York City.

More than 100 separate, categorized, special topic bibliographies vetted by genealogists.

Timelines of key events in New York history 1609–1945 that impact genealogical research.

An index of over 11,000 place names and place-name variants past and present, the first published gazetteer of its kind since 1872.

Praise from the experts

“Three years of intensive work culminate in this volume, which serves as a comprehensive guide to the resources available to research the histories of families with New York roots. The Guide is a unique resource which not only supports those interested in New York State, but also provides a model for other states—a true gift to those interested in family history.” David S. Ferriero • Archivist of the United States “For centuries, New York has been the New World’s gateway, the first address of families searching for better lives for themselves and their descendants. Now, thanks to the astonishing efforts of the NYG&B, those descendants have a single port of entry for researching the past. This volume is certain to become the standard for the nation and an indispensable resource for anyone hoping to retrace ancestral journeys in—and beyond—the Empire State.” Henry Louis Gates, Jr. • Alphonse Fletcher University Professor, Harvard University “The unrivaled achievement of this volume is its authoritative and accessible coverage of the vast, complex, and challenging domain of genealogical research. The NYG&B – long recognized as a champion of family history -- has provided an indispensable, must-have resource for libraries, historical societies, and their many users.” Ann Thornton • Andrew W. Mellon Director, The New York Public Library

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New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer: First Edition by New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (2015-05-03) Paperback – January 1, 2015

• Print length 856 pages
• Language English
• Publisher New York Genealogical and Biographical Society
• Publication date January 1, 2015
• ISBN-10 0692319980
• ISBN-13 978-0692319987
• See all details

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01FIY59QC
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ New York Genealogical and Biographical Society; First Edition first Printing (January 1, 2015)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 856 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0692319980
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0692319987
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.1 pounds
• #145,561 in Reference (Books)

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New York family history research guide and gazetteer

Description

Also in this series, more like this, table of contents, from the book - rev. ed., from the online content - first edition, more details.

• Search All Records
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NY Family History Research Guide-Revised

Description

The  New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer  is an essential New York resource and serves as the textbook for researching New York genealogy.

NYG&B Members receive $25 off. Please make sure you're  logged in to  receive this discount. Please refresh the page once you have logged in. 

Revised Edition 2017

We're proud to introduce the Revised Edition, including an updated vital records chapter that keeps researchers informed on the many online indexes. Revised tables accompany the new chapter organization for this critical and often confusing subject. More than one hundred other revisions keep researchers up-to-date in the 16 chapters and 64 guides to counties and special regions. 

The revised edition comprises two volumes.  Part One  contains chapters on the many record types and major ethnic and religious groups of New York genealogy.  Part Two  encompasses guides for the 62 New York counties, plus a special guide for New York City and for Long Island. A place-name index for more than 11,000 communities assists researchers in finding a locale. 

Winner of the 2016 National Genealogical Society Award for Excellent: Genealogical Methods and Sources

More than 100 experts have reviewed and contributed content about local and regional resources and key topics in New York family history. The result is a text with:

• Chapters on major record groups and research resources, including a comprehensive review of New York State’s extremely complicated vital records system
• Information on research resources for sixteen major ethnic and twelve major religious groups that have lived in New York
• Gazetteers, maps, and research guides to each of New York’s 62 counties, including the five boroughs of New York City
• More than 100 separate, categorized, special topic bibliographies vetted by genealogists
• Timelines of key events in New York history 1609–1945 that impact genealogical research
• An index of over 11,000 place names and place-name variants past and present, the first published gazetteer of its kind since 1872

Table of Contents: Part One

Chapter 1: colonial era.

Historical Overview | Governmental Records | Non-Governmental Records | Religious Records | Personal Papers and Accounts | The Calendar—Julian and Gregorian

Chapter 2: Vital Records

History of Vital Record Keeping, Colonial Era–Present | New York State Department of Health (NYSDH) | Municipal Archives of New York City (MUNI) | Divorce and Adoption Records | Vital Records Substitutes

Chapter 3: Census Records

Federal Census for New York State | Federal Census Special Schedules | New York State Census (1825–1925) | American Indians and the New York State Census | Early Census Records and Lists | Alternative Census Resources and Census Substitutes

Chapter 4: Immigration, Migration, and Naturalization

New Netherland, English, and Revolutionary Periods (1609–1783) | Early Statehood Period (1783–1825) | National Period (1825–1866) | Civil War and Peak Immigration Period (1866–1924) | Current Era (1924–present) | Immigration Records | Naturalization Records

Chapter 5: Court Records

Colonial Era Courts | New York State Courts and Court Structure | Federal Courts in New York State | Major Repositories of Court Records in New York State

Chapter 6: Probate Records

Records before 1787 | Records after 1787 | Guardianship Records

Chapter 7: Land Records and Maps

Historical Overview | Colonial Era | Revolutionary War and the New and Old Military Tracts | Expansion into Western New York | County Records | Deeds and Mortgages | Manors and Early Patents | Leases | Land Company Records | Loyalist Land Confiscations | Reservoir-Related, Surrogate’s Court, Title, Transportation-Related, and Other Records | Major Sources for New York Maps

Chapter 8: Military Records

Record Types and Definitions | Bounty Land Records | Military Unit Histories | Pension Records | Historical Overview and War-Related Resources: Colonial Era to Vietnam | Sources of Military Records

Chapter 9: Cemetery Records

Locating New York Cemeteries | Gravestones and Transcriptions | Burial Records | Cremation | Potter’s Fields | Institutional and Military Cemeteries

Chapter 10: Business, Institutional, and Organizational Records

Almshouses and Poorhouses | Orphanage Records | School Records | Business and Employee Records | Fraternal and Benevolent Organizations | Corrections and Prison Records | Medical Records

Chapter 11: City Directories and Other Directories

City Directories | Social, Business, Professional, Ethnic, Fraternal, and Other Directories

Chapter 12: Newspapers and Periodicals

Historical Overview | Identifying Newspaper Titles | Online Newspaper Resources | Print and Microfilm Resources | Periodicals for Genealogical Research | Selected List of Periodicals

Chapter 13: Tax Records

Colonial Era Taxes | Revolutionary Period | 1798 Federal Direct Tax | Property Taxes | Estate Taxes | Federal Taxes

Chapter 14: Peoples of New York

Chapter Introduction: Notes about Indexes, Population Figures, and an Unlikely Resource | Selected Bibliography

Individual sections provide a historical overview and a description of records, repositories, and resources pertinent to the following populations: African American | American Indian | Austro-Hungarian  | Chinese | Dutch  | English  | French and French-Speaking | German | Hispanic | Irish | Italian | Jewish | Polish | Russian | Scandinavian | Scots and Ulster Scots |

Chapter 15: Religious Records of New York

Chapter Introduction: Historical Overview | Transcribed, Published, and Digitized Church Records | Locating Religious Records | Selected Bibliography

Individual sections provide a historical overview and a description of records, repositories, and resources pertinent to the following denominations:

Baptist | Catholic | Congregational (also Independent) | Eastern Rite Catholic, Eastern Orthodox | Episcopal | Jewish | Lutheran | Methodist | Mormon (Latter-day Saints) | Presbyterian | Quaker (Society of Friends) | Reformed (Dutch, Huguenot, German, and Christian)

Chapter 16: National and Statewide Repositories & Resources

Government Repositories and Libraries | Repositories, Libraries, Museums, and Genealogical Societies | University and College Libraries | Online Providers of Information | Lineage Societies

Chapter 17: Reference Shelf for New York Research

Research Guides for New York State and City | Essential References for Family History Research

Introduction to Part Two

History of County Formation | Definition of Terms—City, Town, Village, etc. | Navigating the County Guides | Selected Bibliography of Statewide Gazetteers

Individual County Guides

This section includes a county guide for each of New York State's 62 counties. Each guide contains:

Cover Page with Maps | Gazetteer of Past and Present Place Names | Repositories and Resources | Selected Bibliography and Further Reading | Additional Online Resources

New York City 

Maps | Timeline | Notes on the City of New York | Government Repositories | Museums, Societies, Libraries | Ethnic Genealogical Societies | University and College Libraries | Selected Print and Online Resources

This section includes a borough guide for each of the city's boroughs, and one guide for city-wide records. Each guide contains:

Maps | Timeline | Gazetteer of Historic Place Names | List of Contemporary Neighborhood Names | Repositories and Resources | Selected Bibliography | Additional Online Resources

Long Island Resources

Map | Introduction | Repositories and Resources Pertinent to Kings, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties

Index of Place Names in the Gazetteers

Praise from the experts.

“Three years of intensive work culminate in this volume, which serves as a comprehensive guide to the resources available to research the histories of families with New York roots. The Guide is a unique resource which not only supports those interested in New York State, but also provides a model for other states—a true gift to those interested in family history.”  David S. Ferriero  •  Archivist of the United States “For centuries, New York has been the New World’s gateway, the first address of families searching for better lives for themselves and their descendants. Now, thanks to the astonishing efforts of the NYG&B, those descendants have a single port of entry for researching the past. This volume is certain to become the standard for the nation and an indispensable resource for anyone hoping to retrace ancestral journeys in—and beyond—the Empire State.”  Henry Louis Gates, Jr.  •  Alphonse Fletcher University Professor, Harvard University “The unrivaled achievement of this volume is its authoritative and accessible coverage of the vast, complex, and challenging domain of genealogical research. The NYG&B – long recognized as a champion of family history -- has provided an indispensable, must-have resource for libraries, historical societies, and their many users.”  Ann Thornton  •  Andrew W. Mellon Director, The New York Public Library

Genealogy : Getting Started at The New York Public Library: The records

• First steps
• Research strategies
• The records
• Locating records
• Family Histories
• Archive collections at NYPL
• City directories
• Newspapers This link opens in a new window
• NYPL Digital Collections
• Maps This link opens in a new window
• Military records
• Help with genealogy research
• Genealogy classes at NYPL

Records used by genealogists

The United States federal census is perhaps the best place to start your family history research, starting with the most recently released census - currently 1940 - and working back.

Key records used by genealogists are

Vital records

Ship passenger lists, naturalization records.

This page provides resources to help you identify what information those records contain, the history of the records, and where you can find them.

Left: 1860 Census, Frederick Douglass, Rochester, Ward 12, Monroe, New York Page 300

It bears repeating; censuses are a great place to begin your research. The United States first began enumerating its citizens in 1790, and has continued to do so every 10 years since. A varying amount of information was recorded, depending on what the government wanted to collect; generally speaking, the earlier the census, the less information was recorded. The U.S. Federal census is released to the public 72 years after it is taken.

When genealogists talk about the census, they are invariably referring to the census population schedules, that variously recorded the names, ages, and addresses of individuals each census year. You'll see recorded who lived in a household, and what their relationships were. The census captured information about work, place of origin and immigration, race, and property ownership. This is data that  provides clues to the existence and location of other records , like property deeds, ship passenger lists, naturalization records, and records of birth, marriage, and death.

Besides population, the U.S. Federal census had different schedules. The 1850 and 1860 census, for instance, included a slave schedule  that recorded the names of slave owners, and provided information about the race, gender, and age of slaves, but not their names. There have also been  schedules of military veterans (in 1840 and 1890), mortality (1850-1880), business, industry, and agriculture, and different censuses of  Americans Indians . In addition to the federal census, many states conducted their own censuses, typically every ten years at the five year point between the federal enumerations.

The census is an excellent tool for tracing lineage . Working backwards from the most recently released population schedule (1940), the examples below trace the lineage of the Wilson family, from Henry Wilson, born in New York in 1938, to his great-great grandfather William Godfrey Wilson, who lived in Seneca Village, New York, in 1850.

1940 U.S. Federal Census, New York City: Henry Wilson, age 1, with his parents Peter H. Wilson Jnr, 20, and Catherine Wilson, 18.

1930 U.S. Federal Census, New York City: Peter Henry Wilson Jnr., 10, with his father Peter Henry Wilson, 47.

1900 U.S. Federal Census, New York City: Peter Henry Wilson, 14, with his father Isaiah Wilson, 56.

1850 U.S. Federal Census, New York City: Isaiah Wilson, 6, with his father William Godfrey Wilson, 39.

Key facts and uses

• United States Federal Census taken every ten years from 1790
• Released to the public 72 years after enumerated
• Describes household members (relationships), age, birthplace (of self & parents), year of immigration, naturalization status, addresses (varies by year)
• 1790-1880, 1900-1940 population schedules mostly survive (some exceptions): 1890 mostly lost in a fire in 1921
• Starts basic, more detailed as time progresses
• 1790-1840 names household head only; enumerates others by gender / age / race / if a slave
• 1850 -1940: identifies all household members, and describes relationships, work, addresses, immigration, and more biographical data
• The slave schedules of 1850 and 1860 identify the names of slaveholders and demographic data about slaves, but not their names
• Consider also nonpopulation census records , state censuses, and international censuses

Solomon Northup in the U.S. Federal Census of 1840

Access to the census

The U.S. Federal census, and other censuses, can be accessed in most genealogy databases

• Ancestry Library Edition  
• Find My Past
• FamilySearch (free online)

NYPL has many census on microfilm, and many print indexes for censuses: ask in the Milstein Division or email [email protected]: more details below.

Further reading

United States Census / FamilySearch

National Archives: Resources for Genealogists: Census records

Genealogy Tips: Searching the Census by Address

Stories from the U.S. Federal Census

1890 New York City Police Census: A Research Guide

History and content

Ship passenger lists and border crossings are the most common record of immigration. The Steerage Act of 1819 mandated the creation of ship passenger lists (sometimes called manifests). Passenger lists prior to this date are few and far between, and may have been compiled later, from different sources.

Customs Passenger Lists (1820-c.1891)

Early ship passenger lists were less detailed than those that would follow, but still included:

• Ship’s name and master
• Port of Embarkation
• Date and port of arrival
• nationality

Immigration passenger lists (1891-1924) The Immigration Act of 1891 established the Office of Immigration, and immigration receiving stations begin operations, notably Ellis Island, in 1892. Passenger lists from this period asked more questions, providing more and more data useful to genealogists, including:

• More specific information about the passenger's birth place
• Name and address of contact (possibly a relative) in US
• Name and address of closest living relative in native country

With the  The Immigration Act of 1924  and the introduction of the visa system, ship manifests began to ask fewer questions,. Nevertheless, through the mid-20th century the records continued to include a lot of information useful to genealogists.

FamilySearch has a comprehensive list of US passenger lists, border crossings, and other immigration records available online. Some databases link to Ancestry.com. The NYPL subscriptions to Ancestry Library Edition and FindMyPast provides free access to those records at the point of service.

United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records

Ancestry Library Edition

100s of different collections of ship passenger lists and other immigration records, including:

• New York, Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957
• Massachusetts, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1963
• Baltimore, Passenger Lists, 1820-1964
• Pennsylvania, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1800-1962
• New Orleans, Passenger Lists, 1813-1963
• UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960
• Hamburg Passenger Lists, 1850-1934

  One-Step Webpages by Stephen P. Morse

Tools for searching passenger lists for the Port of New York (including Ellis Island and Castle Garden) and other ports.

FamilySearch

• ​​​​​​ New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924
• New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1891

Ellis Island Passenger Search  

Print sources

Ships -- Passenger lists.

Genealogy Tips: Using NYPL Resources at Home to Research Immigrant Ancestors

Vital records are records collected by the local government that record births, marriages, and deaths, and are sometimes referred to as records of civil registrations. Individuals and families often have copies of their own birth and marriage certificates and licenses. Records of civil registration are not the same as records of baptisms marriages, burial, and so on, recorded at various houses of worship and cemeteries. In the absence of vital records, religious records, however, can be the best way to find information about these life events. 

Generally speaking civil registration is a recent phenomenon, beginning in the 19th century, but not really taking hold until the 20th century. 

For more information consult the further reading sources listed below.

The birth certificate, below, for instance, records the birth of musician Melvin James (Sy) Oliver, at 20 Peninsular Street, Battle Creek, Michigan, December 17, 1910. His father is recorded as Melvin C. Oliver, 37, born Pulaski, Tennessee, occupation waiter. His mother is Alice Taylor (her maiden name), age 21, born Little Rock, Arkansas. The family live at 20 Peninsular Street, where Alice is a homemaker. 

New York City: Digitized vital records

Though coverage varies, birth certificates are available through 1909, and marriage records, and death certificates through 1949.

For more details, see the Municipal Archives guide to  New York City historical vital records .

Researchers can also use the following indexes to locate vital records in the Five Boroughs.

BIRTH INDEXES Italian Genealogy Group and German Genealogy Group  (pre-1910) Family Search New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909   (may include parents’ names but no certificate #) Ancestry Library Edition , New York, New York, Birth Index, 1910-1965

MARRIAGE INDEXES pre-1938 certificates Italian Genealogy Group and German Genealogy Group Family Search (“ marriage records 1827-1940 ”) 1908-1972 applications, affidavits and licenses : Reclaim the Records 1950-1995 licenses: Reclaim the Records Ancestry Library Edition , New York, New York, Marriage License Indexes, 1907-2018

DEATH INDEXES Italian Genealogy Group and German Genealogy Group  pre-1949 Family Search New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949 Ancestry Library Edition

• New York, New York, Extracted Death Index, 1862-1948
• New York, New York, Death Index, 1949-1965 

Note: The German and Italian Genealogy Group vital records indexes are for all ethnicities.

The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society has an excellent guide to requesting vital records in New York City and New York State.

Finding New York Birth, Marriage, and Death Records

Vital records held at the Municipal Archives.

Requesting vital records from the Municipal Archives .

United States

Death Indexes and Records Online  

This website is an extensive directory of links to online death indexes, listed by state and county. Included are death records, death certificate indexes, death notices and registers, obituaries, probate indexes, and cemetery and burial records.

Find a Grave

Find a Grave contains listings, images and some additional burial and biographical information from cemeteries in the United States and other countries. An index to cemeteries and burial information from this website are also available through the Ancestry database. 

Further reading 

Beginning in 1790, naturalization is the process by which an alien becomes a citizen of the United States. Historically speaking there were two steps to the naturalization process

• Declaration of Intention (or First Papers)
• Petition (Second or Final Papers) This is when Oath of Allegiance is taken, and recorded

Declarations became voluntary after 1952, and are usually the most detailed record. 

Early records are less detailed, naturalizations taken after 1906 or so become more detailed. Information included in more detailed naturalization papers might include: 

• Personal description
• Date and place of birth
• Citizenship
• Present and last foreign addresses
• Ports of embarkation and entry
• Name of ship 
• Date of arrival in the U.S.
• Spouse and children's names and dates of birth
• Photograph (after 1929)

Later naturalization records often include witness affidavits, and a Certificate of Arrival. 

Maria Augusta Von Trapp, Certificate of Arrival, 1943

It should be noted that not everyone who immigrated to the United States became a citizen. Many people declared their intention to naturalize, but did not petition. It's worth finding the declaration, because that is often the naturalization record that contains the most information, and, possibly, a photograph.

Maria Augusta Von Trapp, Declaration of Intention to naturalize, 1944.

125+ groups of indexes and original naturalization records, national and regional

United States Naturalization and Citizenship Online Genealogy Records  includes links to records held at other genealogy databases.

Best known for military records, includes  U.S. District and Circuit Court naturalization records from NARA.

USCIS Genealogy program

Records not online, or at the National Archives? More recent records may be accessible via the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service Genealogy Program

National Archives   Naturalization Records: Introduction and Links to Resources   Prologue magazine articles online FamilySearch FamilySearch Research wiki: United States Naturalization and Citizenship 

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New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

NY Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer

January 12, 2015 by Jane E. Wilcox Leave a Comment

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