Search New York Historical Records
Uncover your Empire State ancestors through exclusive vital registries, passenger arrival lists, and state-specific census data.
Explore New York Record Collections
New York genealogical research requires a dual approach. The records generated in the rural counties of Upstate New York are entirely different from the municipal archives kept by the five boroughs of New York City. Select a collection below to master these distinct regional archives.
Explore New York Record Collections
Access state health department indexes (1881+) and distinct New York City municipal certificates. Expert Tip: If your ancestor died before 1881, bypass the missing death certificates by exploring our guide on How to Find Old Wills and Probate Records from the 1800s.
Navigate federal schedules alongside the highly valuable NY State enumerations. Conducted in years ending in a "5" (e.g., 1855, 1865, 1905), these state censuses are genealogical goldmines, often listing an ancestor's exact county of birth and how many years they had lived in their current town—details the federal government did not ask for decades.
Uncover Revolutionary War minutemen, War of 1812 bounty land warrants, Civil War regiment histories from the famous New York Volunteer Infantry, and WWI draft registrations.
Research early Dutch colonial patents (New Netherland), county property deeds, and historical estate wills. Learn how to map your family's rural upstate farms by reading our guide on How to Look Up Historical Property Deeds Online.
Discover local obituaries and community events from major NYC dailies and upstate gazettes. If your ancestor seemingly vanished from official government records, check the local papers. Learn more in our guide: Uncovering the "Gossip Column": Finding Ancestors in Local Society Pages.
Trace ancestral arrivals through Castle Garden and the iconic Ellis Island manifests
Frequently Asked Questions About New York Genealogy
When did New York start recording births and deaths?
New York State began requiring vital record registration in 1881, though full, strict compliance across every rural county was not reached until 1913. However, New York City maintained its own entirely separate municipal system. NYC health departments began recording deaths in 1795 and births in 1847, making city records much easier to locate for early 19th-century ancestors.
Where are New York naturalization records kept?
Before 1906, an immigrant could file for citizenship in any local, state, or federal court, meaning records are scattered across county courthouses. After 1906, the process was standardized by the federal government. To track these down, review our guide on How to Find Naturalization Records and Citizenship Files.
Why can't I find my ancestor in the 1890 Federal Census?
Almost the entire 1890 U.S. Federal Census was destroyed in a massive Department of Commerce fire in 1921. For New York researchers, the best way to bridge this tragic 20-year gap is to heavily utilize the 1892 New York State Census and local city directories.