FamilySearch Wiki

Dutchess County, New York Genealogy

(Redirected from Dutchess County, New York)


Guide to Dutchess County, New York ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

County Facts
County seat: Poughkeepsie
Organized: 1 November 1683
Parent County(s): Original
Neighboring Counties
• Columbia • Orange • Putnam • Ulster • Fairfield (CT) • Litchfield (CT) • Berkshire (MA)
Courthouse
New York, Dutchess County Courthouse.png
Location Map
Ny-dutchess.png


County Information

Description

The county was named for Mary of Modena, Duchess of York - the term Dutchess is an archaic form of the word duchess. The county is located in the southeast area of the state. [1]

County Courthouse

Dutchess County Courthouse
10 Market St
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: 845-431-1710
Dutchess County Website

The Dutchess County Clerk's office has marriage, divorce, court and land records as well as the state census. The Surrogate Court has probate records.

Dutchess County, New York Record Dates

Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.

Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records[2]
Birth* Marriage Death* Court Land Probate Census
1880 1908 1880 1730 1718 1752 1663
*Statewide registration for births and deaths started in 1880. General compliance for births by 1915 and deaths by 1890.

Record Loss

The county courthouse in Poughkeepsie was burned in an 1806 fire. No public records were destroyed.[3]

Boundary Changes

Populated Places

For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[6]

Cities
Towns
Villages
Hamlets
American Indian Communities
Census-designated places


History Timeline

  • For a time, was annexed to Ulster County, separated in 1713. Records for the time period of 1683-1713 are in Ulster county.
  • 1717 a portion of Albany County transferred to Dutchess County.
  • 4 April 1786 the towns of Clermont and Germantown were transferred to Columbia County when the county was created.
  • 12 June 1812 Putnam County was set off.

Resources

Bible Records

  • 1581-1917 New York, Family Bible Records at Ancestry ($); Index. Database is a collection of genealogically important records taken from the Bibles of colony and state residents. Reveals the Bible's original owner, brief record of descendants,and a particular event such as birth or marriage as recorded in Bible.

Biographies

Business, Commerce, and Occupations

Cemeteries

Cemeteries of Dutchess County, New York online and in print
Tombstone Transcriptions Online
Tombstone Transcriptions in Print (Often more complete)
List of Cemeteries in the County
See New York Cemeteries for more information.


Census Records

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1790 45,276 —
1800 47,775 5.5%
1810 51,363 7.5%
1820 46,615 −9.2%
1830 50,926 9.2%
1840 52,398 2.9%
1850 58,992 12.6%
1860 64,941 10.1%
1870 74,041 14.0%
1880 79,184 6.9%
1890 77,879 −1.6%
1900 81,670 4.9%
1910 87,661 7.3%
1920 91,747 4.7%
1930 105,462 14.9%
1940 120,542 14.3%
1950 136,781 13.5%
1960 176,008 28.7%
1970 222,295 26.3%
1980 245,055 10.2%
1990 259,462 5.9%
2000 280,150 8.0%
2010 297,488 6.2%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".

For information and tips on using and accessing online census records, see New York Census.

Federal

U.S. Census Mortality Schedules for New York, 1850-1880:

  • Available online at Ancestry ($).
  • Deaths are included for the 12 months prior to the census, 1849-50, 1859-60, 1869-70, and 1879-80 beginning 1 June and ending 31 May of the census year.[7]
  • Basic contents of the records include: Name, sex, age, color, marital status, place of birth, month of death, occupation, and cause of death. 1870 also has parents' birthplace. 1880 lists how long a resident of the county.
  • Also on FS Library Films 1415128–42.
  • The 1890 Census is lost. For a substitute, see Dutchess.
  • 1849-50, 1859-60, 1869-70, 1879-80 See Mortality Schedule information in the Federal Census section of Census for death information.

State

Source 1825 1835 1845 1855 1865 1875 1892 1905 1915 1925
Ancestry.com - - - - - Yes Yes - Yes Yes
FamilySearch Library - - - - Yes Yes Yes - Yes
FamilySearch Images - - - - Yes Yes Yes - Yes Yes
New York State Library - - - - Yes Yes Yes - Yes Yes
  • 1864-5, 1874-5 See Marriage Schedule information in the State Census section of Census for marriage information for 1864-5, and 1874-5.

New York State 1865 and 1875 Census Marriage, Mortality; and 1865 Soldier Mortality records:

  • Images available online at New York State Census, 1865 and New York State Census, 1875. Click on the link to go to the page, then click on the ‘Browse through images’ link and select your county, then select an ancestor's town and browse to the end of the population schedule until you find the Marriage, Mortality, and 1865 soldier mortality schedules.
  • Includes marriages and deaths for the 12 months prior to the census, ending 1 June of the census year.
  • Marriage entry content: Husband's name, wife's name, ages and previous marital status, month and day and place of marriage, and church or civil ceremony.
  • Death entry content: Name, age, sex, color, marital status, month and day of death, native state or country, occupation and cause of death.
  • 1865 deaths of officers and enlisted men entry content: Name, age, marital status, citizenship status, enlistment date, original regiment, original rank, regiment at death, rank at death, promotions, death date and place, manner of death, surviving associates, and burial place.
  • Also on microfilm. See the FamilySearch Library line in the above State Census Chart.
  • 1864-5, 1874-5 See Mortality Schedule information in the State Census section of Census for death information for 1864-5, and 1874-5.

Church Records


Dutch Reformed

Presbyterian

  • First Presbyterian Church at New Hamburg, Dutchess, New York FS Library film 860334 Item 5 These are part of the DAR collection and are a transcription.

Quaker


List of Churches and Church Parishes

Court Records

Ancestors may have been involved in municipal, state, or federal court cases and actions. See also New York Court Records and United States Court Records.

Directories

Emigration and Immigration

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups

Funeral Homes

Genealogies

Guardianship

Land and Property Records

Online Land Indexes and Records

Books

  • The Patents, in the twelve years 1685-1697 lawful patents had been granted securing for their purchasers every foot of Hudson River shoreline in the original county. Three additional patents, to 1706, laid claim to the remaining interior lands. They were:
    • Rombout, 1685
    • Minisink, 1686
    • Kip, 1686
    • Schuyler, 1688 (Poughkeepsie)
    • Schuyler, 1688 (Red Hook)
    • Aertsen-Roosa-Elton, 1688
    • Pawlings-Staats, 1696
    • Rhinebeek, 1697
    • (Great) Nine Partners, 1697
    • Philipse, 1697
    • Cuyler, 1697
    • Fanconnier, 1703
    • Beekman (Back Lots), 1703
    • (Little) Nine Partners, 1706
  • The Settlers of Beekman Patents, 13 volumes. Online at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($).

Local Histories

Prior to the Anglo-Dutch incursion, what is today Dutchess County was a leading center for the Wappani. They had their council-fire at Fishkill Hook and also held gatherings along the Danskammer. (source:Wikipedia)

Maps and Gazetteers

Columbia CountyGreene CountyUlster CountyOrange CountyPutnam CountyFairfield CountyLitchfield CountyBerkshire CountyNY DUTCHESS.PNG
Click a neighboring county
for more resources

Migration

NY MA CT.png

Early migration routes to and from Dutchess County for European settlers included:[9]

Military Records

Revolutionary War
Dutchess County men served in the 2nd New York Regiment[33] and the 4th New York Regiment.[34]

Civil War

Town registers. The New York town clerks kept a bound register of all soldiers from their town serving in the Civil War 1861-1865. Registers are arranged by county, and town. Some town registers are missing. The registers include an index at the start of each town.

Content. Many register entries include full name, residence, date and place of birth, parents names, marital status, date of enlistment and muster and rank, discharges, death, or promotion.

Access. The original registers are at the New York State Archives in Albany, New York. Microfilm copies are found at the FamilySearch Library (FS Library Film 1993401-37). They are also indexed and available at Ancestry.com ($). Available towns. Registers are available for: Beekman · East Fishkill · Fishkill · Hyde Park · LaGrange · Milan · North East · Pawling · Pine Plains · Pleasant Valley · Poughkeepsie · Red Hook · Stanford · Union Vale · Washington.

Regiments. Service men in Dutchess County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were formed in Dutchess County:[35]

- 1st Regiment, New York Jackson Heavy Artillery, Company F.
- 3rd Regiment, New York Infantry
- 5th Regiment, New York Infantry
- 5th Regiment, New York Infantry (Duryee Zouaves), Company C.
- 6th Independent Battery, New York Light Artillery, Companies F and H.
- 6th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Companies F and H.
- 7th Veteran Regiment, New York Infantry
- 9th Regiment, New York Cavalry , Companies A and H.
- 9th Regiment, New York Infantry
- 9th Regiment, New York Infantry (New)
- 17th Veteran Regiment, New York Infantry
- 18th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Company G.
- 18th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company C.
- 20th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies D and G.
- 25th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Company I.
- 30th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company E.
- 38th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company G.
- 47th Regiment, New York Infantry
- 47th Regiment, New York State Militia (3 months, 1862)
- 57th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies H, I and K.
- 65th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company B.
- 87th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies F and G.
- 128th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies B, C, D, F, H, I and K.
- 143rd Regiment, New York Infantry, Company B.
- 150th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and K.
- 157th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies F and I.
- 159th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies D, E, G and I.
- 168th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies B, F, H and K.
- 176th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company C.
- 187th Regiment, New York Infantry
- 188th Regiment, New York Infantry
- 192nd Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies D, E, F, H and I.
- 194th Regiment, New York Infantry

Naturalization and Citizenship

Ancestry is in the process of digitizing naturalization records stored at the Dutchess County Clerk's Office (1932-1989), see Mid Hudson News article.

Online Naturalization Indexes and Records

The FamilySearch Library has also acquired this comprehensive index for the years 1792 through 1906 on microfilm: New York Naturalization Index (Soundex), 1792-1906 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images . The courts this index covers are:

  • City Court of Brooklyn, 1836-1894
  • Kings County Court, 1806-1906
  • New York City Marine Court, 1806-1849
  • New York County Common Pleas Court, 1792-1895
  • New York County Superior Court, 1828-1895
  • New York City and County Supreme Court, 1868-1906
  • Queens County Court, 1799-1906
  • Queens County Surrogate Court, 1888-1898
  • Richmond County Court, 1869-1906
  • U.S. Circuit Court Southern District, 1846-1876
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District, (Kings, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties), 1865-1906

Newspapers

  • Amenia NY Harlem Valley Times 1913-2007
  • Amenia NY Times 1852-1914
  • Millbrook NY Roundtable 1897-2000
  • Pine Planes NY Register 1859-2005
  • Poughkeepsie NY Daily Eagle 1861-1937
  • Poughkeepsie Evening Star and Enterprise 1936-1941
  • Poughkeepsie NY New Yorker 1941

Obituaries

Other Records

Periodicals

Probate Records

Probate records (wills, bonds, petitions, accounts, inventories, administrations, orders, decrees, and distributions) for New York are held in the office of the county Surrogate Court beginning in 1787, or when the county was formed. Prior to 1787, most are housed at the New York State Archives.
Content: Probate Records may give the decedent's date of death, names of spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, associates, relatives, and their place of residence.
Probate Petitions In 1830, state law required the Surrogate Court clerk to issue a probate petition for a deceased individual with property. This petition, unique to New York, usually lists the deceased's death date. It also lists the heirs, their relationship to the deceased, and their residence. These petitions are often found in the estate files.[36] See New York Probate Records for online resources, details, links, and more.

Online Probate Indexes and Records

School Records

Social Security Records

Tax Records

Town Records

Town records in New York may include early births, marriages, deaths, divorces, local histories, selected military records, and town meeting minutes. Vital records from 1880/1882 are kept by town and village clerks, although some (Kent’s and Putnam Valley’s) are available in the County Historian’s Office. See:

  • New York Towns, Villages, and Cities: A Guide to Genealogical Sources by Gordon L. Remington. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2002. FS Library Book 974.7 D27r; At various libraries (WorldCat); Alphabetical list including date founded, if a town history exists, church and cemetery sources, and if a Civil War register (TCR) exists.

Vital Records

Vital records of birth, marriage or death were first recorded at the local level in the village clerk, town clerk, or city clerk’s ledger book.

Birth

Marriage

Death


Divorce

Divorce judgment papers often include date and place of the marriage and the names and birthdates of any children. Local newspapers may publish notices of divorce actions.

  • Pre–1787 All divorces were granted by the governor or legislature and were very rare.
  • 1787–1847 All divorces were granted by the court of chancery. These records are found in the New York State Archives or for the New York City area at the New York County Clerk's office.These divorces were granted only on the grounds of adultery.
  • 1847–present All divorces are handled by the county Supreme Court where the divorce was granted. Divorce files in New York are sealed for 100 years. Contact the County Clerk for information about divorce records.

Voting Records

Research Facilities

Archives

Cornell University, Guide to Historical Resources in Dutchess County, New York Repositories. ([Ithaca, New York]: New York Historical Resources Center, Olin Library, Cornell University, 1990). At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 974.733 A3g. Includes index. Includes references to some family histories and genealogies.

  • Dutchess County Historian[37]
    c/o Dutchess County Historical Society
    549 Main Street
    PO Box 88
    Poughkeepsie, NY 12602
    845-486-3669
    Email: dchistory@co.dutchess.ny.us
Genealogical Resources: The County Historian may provide access to obituaries, vital records, church records, maps, and family files or journals. Some historians provide search services for their office records and others may refer you to local genealogists who research in the area.

FamilySearch Centers

FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries

  • FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
  • FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.

Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries

Libraries

There are some 30 public libraries in Dutchess County New York a number of which are branch library. They belong to the Mid-Hudson Library System that serves the communities of Columbia, Duchess, Greene, Putnam, and Ulster Counties. They share a catalog that includes a sizeable collection of Genealogical materials. The shared catalog is found on the library systems main page. For information on the individual libraries in Dutchess County, click here.

  • Adriance Memorial Library
    93 Market St.
    Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
    Phone: 845-485-3445
    Email form
    Website
Genealogical Resources: Census records, obituary index, Poughkeepsie Journal newspaper (starts 1785), published family histories, local histories, military records, immigration records, church records, New England Historical and Genealogical Register, New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, The Dutchess, information about Palatines and Huguenots.

  • Starr Library
    68 West Market Street
    Rhinebeck, NY 12572
    Phone: 845-876-4030
    Website
Genealogical Resources: The Starr Library joined with the Consortium of Rhinebeck History to create a space for researchers of genealogy and general local history in the Starr Library. The room is open Tuesday and Thursday from 10 o’clock to 3 o’clock or Saturdays by appointment. It houses a large collection of church and cemetery records, abstracts of Ulster and Dutchess County wills, newspaper marriage and death information and notebooks compiled by respected historians and genealogists, family genealogies on CDs, the Rhinebck Gazette (1842 -1990), state and federal censuses, and rare documents of local and National interest on microfilm. Over a thousand maps drawn by Frank Teal, Rhinebeck surveyor during the early part of the 20th century, are being inventoried and scanned by members of the Rhinebeck Historical Society.

Museums

Societies

Listed below are societies in Dutchess County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see New York Societies.

  • Dutchess County Genealogical Society
    204 Spackenkill Road
    P.O. Box 708
    Poughkeepsie, NY 12602
    (845) 462-4168
    Website
Genealogical Resources: FamilySearch Center, vital records, local records, maps, compiled genealogies, censuses, military records, Palatine immigration records. Online library guide.

  • Dutchess County Historical Society
    The Clinton House
    549 Main Street
    Poughkeepsie, NY
    (845) 471-1630
    dchistorical@verizon.net
    Website
Genealogical Resources: Family Bibles, cemetery records, local and church histories, city directories, more than 125 family histories, genealogy surname files, maps, newspapers, New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Year Books of the Holland Society of New York, Olde Ulster, probate records, school yearbooks.
Historical Societies of Dutchess County.

  • Little Nine Partners Historical Society
    P.O. Box 243
    Pine Plains, NY 12567
    LNPHS@hotmail.com
    Website
Genealogical Resources: Roderic A. Davis's Bibliography and Web Guide is available online as a guide for genealogical researchers. Davis instructs readers how to find genealogical information about the Little Nine Partners, Great Nine Partners, and Dutchess County areas.

  • Hudson River Heritage
    P.O. Box 287
    Rhinebeck NY 12572
    (845) 876-2474
    Email: office@hudsonriverheritage.org
    Website
Genealogical Resources: Preservation of architecture, rural landscapes and scenic views of the mid-Hudson Valley area.

  • Historical Societies of Dutchess County
    6282 Route 9
    Rhinebeck, NY 12572
    Website

Websites

Research Guides

References

  1. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Duchess, New York" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutchess_County,_New_York accessed 19 Nov 2018
  2. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Dutchess County, New York. Page 488-493 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 490-492.
  3. ↑ Frank A. Hasbrouck, The History of Dutchess County, New York, (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.: S A. Matthieu, 1909), 66.
  4. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), 489. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  5. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002).At various libraries (WorldCat); FSC Book 973 D27e 2002.
  6. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Dutchess County, New York," in "Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutchess_County%2C_New_York, accessed 26 December 2019.
  7. ↑ Arlene Eakle, and Johni Cerni, The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1984), 103. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27ts.
  8. ↑ Dutchess County, New York Quaker Records, Ancestry, at http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4702 (accessed 17 November 2011).
  9. ↑ Handybook, 847-61.
  10. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Old Albany Post Road" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Albany_Post_Road (accessed 23 June 2011).
  11. ↑ Frederic J. Wood, The Turnpikes of New England and the Evolution of the Same Through England, Virginia, and Maryland (Boston: Marshall Jones, 1919), map between 56 and 57, and 168. Internet Archive version online.
  12. ↑ Isaac Huntting, History of the Little Nine Partners of North East Precinct and Pine Plains, New York, Dutchess County (Amenia, NY: Chas. Walsh, 1897), 99-101. Google Book edition.
  13. ↑ List of turnpikes in New York in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia (accessed 6 November 2014).
  14. ↑ Ancram Turnpike in Routes in the Northeastern United States: Historic Trails, Roads and Migration Routes (accessed 6 November 2014). The Ancram Turnpike went from Springield, MA to Catskill, NY; and was called the Catskill Road.
  15. ↑ Almira E Morgan, The Catskill Turnpike: A Wilderness Path (Ithaca, N.Y.: DeWitt Historical Society of Thompkins County, 1971), 5. Online digital copy.
  16. ↑ Catskill Turnpike in Routes in the Northeastern United States: Historic Trails, Roads and Migration Routes (accessed 6 November 2014). The Catskill Turnpike went west from Catskill, NY to Bath, NY; the east part was called the Susquehanna Turnpike.
  17. ↑ Huntting, 97-99.
  18. ↑ List of turnpikes in New York in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia (accessed 1 November 2014).
  19. ↑ Anastassia Zinke, The Susquehanna Turnpike and America's Frontier History in Catskill Mountain Foundation (accessed 1 November 2014).
  20. ↑ Joan Odess, The Susquehanna Turnpike (pdf accessed 1 November 2014).
  21. ↑ Wood, map between 56 and 57, and 186-88.
  22. ↑ Wood, map between 330 and 331, and 348-49.
  23. ↑ Wood, map between 56 and 57, and 203-205.
  24. ↑ Wood, map between 56 and 57, and 166-67.
  25. ↑ Wood, map between 56 and 57, and 76-78.
  26. ↑ Wood, map between 56 and 57, and 79-80.
  27. ↑ Handybook, 851.
  28. ↑ Bethlehem Pike in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia (accessed 17 November 2014).
  29. ↑ Old Connecticut Path in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia (accessed 28 October 2014).
  30. ↑ Wood, 25.
  31. ↑ Boston Post Road in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia (accessed 28 October 2014).
  32. ↑ Wood, map between 330 and 331, and 363-64.
  33. ↑ "2nd New York Regiment," Valley Forge Legacy, http://valleyforgemusterroll.org/regiments/ny2.asp, accessed 31 May 2012.
  34. ↑ "4th New York Regiment," Valley Forge Legacy, http://valleyforgemusterroll.org/regiments/ny4.asp, accessed 31 May 2012.
  35. ↑ Frederick Phisterer, New York in the War of the Rebellion, 3rd ed. (Albany, N.Y.: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912). Internet Archive digital copy; At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Film 1486494-96; Fiche 6083559-64; Book 974.7 M2p.
  36. ↑ Alice Eichholz, Red Book: American State, County and Town Sources, 3rd ed. (Salt Lake City: Ancestry Pub., 2004), 479. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27rb 2004. Henry B. Hoff, "Navigating New York Probate," American Ancestors 12 (Fall 2011): 54.
  37. ↑ Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogist's Address Book: State and Local Resources, with Special Resources Including Ethnic and Religious Organizations, 6th ed. (Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Pub., 2009), 399. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D24ben 2009.
Retrieved from "https://integration-ru.familysearch.org/en/wiki/index.php?title=Dutchess_County,_New_York_Genealogy&oldid=6316875"