New York
New York genealogy
New York is one of the most complex genealogy environments in the United States. Research may involve Dutch New Netherland, colonial New York, changing counties, canal and railroad migration, New York City immigration and enormous Jewish, Irish, Italian, German, Eastern European, African American and Caribbean communities.
New York vital records
Statewide registration began in 1881 for births and marriages and 1880 for deaths, although early compliance was incomplete.
NY DOH genealogy →Older indexes cover births 1881–1935, marriages 1881–1960 and deaths 1880–1960 outside NYC.
NY Archives →NYC has separate historical vital-record systems for Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.
NYC records →Use city-specific resources when the event occurred inside the five boroughs.
Research NYC →New York county-by-county
New York historical geography
Dutch colonial records are especially important in the Hudson Valley and early New York.
NY Archives →Land, probate, church, military and court records can reach back into the colonial period.
Always verify the county that existed when an event occurred.
New York genealogy centers
One of the world’s most important immigration and urban genealogy environments.
State government, colonial and upstate records.
Great Lakes immigration, German, Polish and Eastern European communities.
Upstate migration, industrial and religious community history.
Central New York migration and industrial genealogy.
Important Westchester urban and immigrant research.
Ethnic & community research
Jewish immigration, communities and international family connections.
Migration, slavery, emancipation and Great Migration research.
Passenger arrivals, naturalization, churches and neighborhood history.
Chinese, Japanese and other Asian American communities.
New York genealogy databases
Continue your New York research
First determine whether the event occurred in New York City or elsewhere in the state. Then identify county, town, village or borough and the historical jurisdiction.
DNA Academy - Quick Answers
What formats are your free templates available in?
Our templates are available as downloadable Excel/Google Sheets files (for digital tracking).
How do I use a research log effectively?
A research log helps you track which records you’ve searched, what you found, and what’s still missing. We recommend filling it out as you go, it prevents duplicate searches and helps you identify patterns. Our template includes columns for date, source, location, and findings.
Are the templates available in languages other than English?
Currently, our templates are in English only. We are exploring translations into Swedish, Spanish, and German based on user requests. If you need a specific language, contact us and we’ll prioritize it.