Niagara County, New York Genealogy
Guide to Niagara County, New York ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information
Description
The county was named for the Iroquois word Onguiaahra; meaning the strait or thunder of waters. The county is located in the west area of the state. [2]
County Courthouse
Niagara County Courthouse
775 Third St
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Phone: 716-371-4000
Niagara Falls County Website
The Niagara County Clerk's office has marriage, divorce, court and land records.
The Surrogate Court has probate records.
Niagara 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.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1880 | 1908 | 1880 | 1808** | 1808** | 1808** | 1663 |
| *Statewide registration for births and deaths started in 1880. General compliance for births by 1915 and deaths by 1890. **1808 to 1820 court, land, and probate records were kept at the Erie County courthouse before the county was split. Records from 1821 onward are at the Niagara Courthouse in Lockport. | ||||||
Record Loss
|
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.[4] |
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
Resources
Bible Records
- 1581-1917 New York, Family Bible Records at Ancestry ($) - index. Database is a collection of genealogically important records taken from the Bibles of colony and state residents. Reveals the Bible's original owner, brief record of descendants, and a particular event such as birth or marriage as recorded in Bible.
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
- 1800-1965 New York, Cemetery Abstracts, 1800-1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1810 | 8,971 | — |
| 1820 | 22,990 | 156.3% |
| 1830 | 18,482 | −19.6% |
| 1840 | 31,132 | 68.4% |
| 1850 | 42,276 | 35.8% |
| 1860 | 50,399 | 19.2% |
| 1870 | 50,437 | 0.1% |
| 1880 | 54,173 | 7.4% |
| 1890 | 62,491 | 15.4% |
| 1900 | 74,961 | 20.0% |
| 1910 | 92,036 | 22.8% |
| 1920 | 118,705 | 29.0% |
| 1930 | 149,329 | 25.8% |
| 1940 | 160,110 | 7.2% |
| 1950 | 189,992 | 18.7% |
| 1960 | 242,269 | 27.5% |
| 1970 | 235,720 | −2.7% |
| 1980 | 227,354 | −3.5% |
| 1990 | 220,756 | −2.9% |
| 2000 | 219,846 | −0.4% |
| 2010 | 216,469 | −1.5% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
For information and tips on using and accessing online census records, see New York Census.
Federal
U.S. Census Mortality Schedules for New York, 1850-1880:
- Available online at Ancestry ($).
- 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.
State
| Source | 1825 | 1835 | 1845 | 1855 | 1865 | 1875 | 1892 | 1905 | 1915 | 1925 |
| Ancestry.com | - | - | - | Yes | - | Yes | Yes | - | Yes | Yes |
| FS Library Films | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| FamilySearch Images | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| New York State Library Films | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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.
Church Records
- See New York Church Records for more resources
- 1640-1962 New York Births and Christenings, 1640-1962 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1795-1952 New York Deaths and Burials, 1795-1952 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1824-1962 New York, Church and Civil Deaths, 1824-1962 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
Methodist
- 1863-1950 Second Methodist Episcopal Church, Newfane FS Library film 1378854 Contains baptisms 1863-1950; marriages 1863-1950; probationers' records including deaths 1863-1940; alphabetical records of members in full connection including deaths 1863-1931; class records including deaths 1863-1881; records of official members including deaths 1884-1907, 1927-1931; record of pastors including deaths 1909-1969.
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
- 1906-1942 New York Book Indexes to Passenger Lists, 1906-1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
Funeral Homes
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Genealogies
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
- See New York Land and Property for more resources.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- The Holland Purchase of Western New York at USGenWeb Archives.
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
- Souvenir History of Niagara County New York Commemorative of the 25th Anniversary of the Pioneer Association of Niagara County. 1902. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library.
- New York Indexes (many counties) at EveryNameIndex.com — Select the county.
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- Maps of New York (1683-1915)
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Early migration routes to and from Niagara County for European settlers included:[8]
- Lake Ontario
- Mohawk or Iroquois Trail (west fork) about 1722
- Great Genesee Road 1794[9]
- Erie Canal 1825
Military Records
Civil War
- 1861-1865 New York, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — New York, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection; index & images at partner site
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: Hartland · Newfane · Pendleton · Somerset.
Regiments. Service men in Niagara County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Niagara County:[10]
- - 1st Battalion, New York Light Artillery, Battery M
- - 1st Regiment, New York Light Artillery, Battery M
- - 2nd Regiment, New York Mounted Rifles, Companies A, B, C, E, F and H
- - 7th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Company G
- - 8th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Companies E and M, 2nd Company L and 3rd Company K
- - 10th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Company M
- - 12th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Company M
- - 15th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Company E
- - 21st Regiment, New York Infantry,
- - 23rd Regiment, New York Cavalry, Company A
- - 28th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies A, B, C, I and K
- - 49th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company H
- - 100th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company D
- - 105th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company B
- - 129th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies L and M
- - 132nd Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies D and G
- - 151st Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies B, F, G, H, I and K
- - 153rd Regiment, New York Infantry, Company H
- - 164th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company B
- - 179th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies A, C and H
- - 194th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company G
Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1791-1980 New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1872-1878 New York, Record of Naturalized Voters Registered, 1872-1878 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1907-1966 New York, Western District, Naturalization Index, 1907-1966 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images at partner site
Newspapers
- 1800-1855 New York Marriage Notices at Ancestry – ($); Index. This database is a collection of marriage notices published in newspapers around the state. Contains name of bride and groon, marriage date, marriage location, residence, and newspaper found in.
- 1801-1880 Barber Collection- Newspaper Marriages at Ancestry – ($); Index. Information extracted from the "Brooklyn Eagle" and the "New York Evening Post."
- 1801-1890 Barber Collection- Newspaper Deaths at Ancestry – ($); Index. Information extracted from the "Brooklyn Eagle" and the "New York Evening Post."
- 1809-1850 10,000 Vital Records of Western New York, 1809-1850, by Fred Q. Bowman. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1985. FS Library Book 974.7 V2b; At various libraries (WorldCat); Online at: Ancestry ($), MyHeritage ($). Abstracted from newspaper marriage and death columns.
- 1856-1863 Index to Marriages and Deaths in the New York Herald at [http://www.ancestry.com/ Ancestry ($); Index. These newspaper notices refer to people up and down the East Coast as well as midwesterners and persons from as far west as the State of California. Also browsable.
- New York Newspapers Online at Old Fulton New York Post Cards - index & images
- Niagara Fall NY Gazette 1854-1969
- North Tonawanda NY Evening News 1893-1986
Obituaries
Other Records
Periodicals
Probate Records
Probate records (wills, bonds, petitions, accounts, inventories, administrations, orders, decrees, and distributions) for New York are held in the office of the county Surrogate Court beginning in 1787, or when the county was formed. Prior to 1787, most are housed at the New York State Archives.
Content: Probate Records may give the decedent's date of death, names of spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, associates, relatives, and their place of residence.
Probate Petitions In 1830, state law required the Surrogate Court clerk to issue a probate petition for a deceased individual with property. This petition, unique to New York, usually lists the deceased's death date. It also lists the heirs, their relationship to the deceased, and their residence. These petitions are often found in the estate files.[11]
See New York Probate Records for online resources, details, links, and more.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1822-1932 Listed as "Probate Records" FS Library Film 900543 (1068 films) First film is an index.
- 1626-1836 Calendar of Wills On File and Recorded in the Offices of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals, of the County Clerk at Albany, and of the Secretary of State, 1626-1836 at FamilySearch Digital Library; Also at: Ancestry ($)American Ancestors ($)
- 1629-1971 New York Probate Records, 1629-1971 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images only
- 1659-1999 New York Wills and Probate Records 1659-1999 at Ancestry ($) index & images ($)
- 1787-1835 Abstracts of Wills, Administrations and Guardianships in NY State, 1787-1835 at American Ancestors ($)
- 1820-1901 SAMPUBCO Browsable index of testators of wills.
- 1866-1923 New York, Kings County Estate Files, 1866-1923 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1629-1971 New York Probate Records, 1629-1971 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images only
- 1822-1928 General Index to Petitions 900543–900544
- 1830-1972 Index to Guardianship Records FS Library Film 903054
- 1835-1970 Probate Records: Petitions 900543 (1068 films)
- 1820-1906 Probate Records (General Index, Wills, Administrations, Minutes, Final Settlements FS Library Film 900543 (66 films)
- 1831-1904 Guardianship Records FS Library Film 911525 (180 films)
- 1930-1971 Probate Records FS Library Film 911527 (10 films)
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Town Records
Town records in New York may include early births, marriages, deaths, divorces, local histories, selected military records, and town meeting minutes. Vital records from 1880/1882 are kept by town and village clerks, although some (Kent’s and Putnam Valley’s) are available in the County Historian’s Office. See:
- New York Towns, Villages, and Cities: A Guide to Genealogical Sources by Gordon L. Remington. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2002. FS Library Book 974.7 D27r; At various libraries (WorldCat); Alphabetical list including date founded, if a town history exists, church and cemetery sources, and if a Civil War register (TCR) exists.
Vital Records
- See New York Vital Records for more databases and information about obtaining vital records.
Vital records of birth, marriage or death were first recorded at the local level in the village clerk, town clerk, or city clerk’s ledger book. In 1880, town clerks were to record the marriage and a copy was sent to the New York State Department of Health (state level). The marriages in this county were recorded by the county clerk from 1908 until 1935.[12] If you know where a birth, marriage or death took place, a copy of the certificate or record may be obtained by writing to the town, village or city clerk.
Birth
- 1640-1962 New York Births and Christenings, 1640-1962 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1881-1942 New York, Birth Indexes Outside of New York City, 1881-1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1881-1942 New York, Birth Index, 1881-1942 at Ancestry index ($)
- 1881-1942 Reclaim the Records: New York State Birth Index at Internet Archive images of index
Marriage
- 1639-1962 New York, United States Marriages at Findmypast index ($)
- 1664-1784 New York. Secretary of State, Names of Persons for Whom Marriage Licenses Were Issued By the Secretary of the Province of New York, Previous to 1784 (Albany, New York: Weed, Parsons and Co., 1860). At Cornell University digital library free; Internet Archive - free; Ancestry edition($); At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Film 514675 Item 1 or 930131 Item 2. Marriage bonds issued in the State of New York prior to 1784, and the earliest record dating 1664.
- 1686-1980 New York Marriages, 1686-1980 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1847-1936 New York, County Marriages, 1847-1848; 1908-1936 at FamilySearch How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1881-1964 Reclaim the Records: New York State Marriage Index at Internet Archive images of index
- 1908-1935 New York Marriages, 1908-1935 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
Death
- 1795-1952 New York Deaths and Burials, 1795-1952 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1824-1962 New York, Church and Civil Deaths, 1824-1962 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1880-1956 New York, State Death Index, 1880-1956 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1880-1956 New York, Death Index, 1880-1956 at Ancestry ($), index only
- 1880-1956 Reclaim the Records: New York State Death Index at Internet Archive images of index
- 1957-1963 New York State Health Department, Genealogical Research Death Index, 1957-1963 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
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
- 1872-1878 New York, Record of Naturalized Voters Registered, 1872-1878 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Research Facilities
Archives
- See New York Archives and Libraries for state-wide archive facilities.
Cornell University, Guide to Historical Resources in Niagara County, New York Repositories. ([Ithaca, New York]: New York Historical Resources Center, Olin Library, Cornell University, 1984). At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 974.798 A3g. Includes index. Includes references to some family histories and genealogies.
Niagara County Historian
Civil Defense Building
139 Niagara Street
Lockport NY 14094-2740
716-439-7324
Email: historian@niagaracounty.com
Website
Facebook
- 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
- Buffalo New York FamilySearch Center
- Buffalo New York Inner City FamilySearch Center
- Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County - an affiliate library
- Fairfield Library Association - an affiliate library
- Lewiston Public Library - an affiliate library
- Niagara County Genealogical Society - an affiliate library
- Richmond Memorial Library - an affiliate library
Libraries
- See New York Archives and Libraries for state-wide library facilities.
Niagara County Community College Library Special Collections
Henrietta G. Lewis Library, Fourth Floor
3111 Saunders Settlement Rd
Sanborn, NY 14132
Phone: 716-731-3271 ext. 401
- Native America Collection includes reference books, biography, history, and tribes.
Periodicals: Native Peoples, Journal of Cherokee Studies, Northeast Indian Quarterly, Akwekon Journal, Turtle Quarterly, Southern Indian Studies
- Native America Collection includes reference books, biography, history, and tribes.
Nioga Library System
6575 Wheeler Rd
Lockport NY 14094
Phone: 716-434-6167
Website
Mulitple locations
Museums
Niagara County Historical Society History Center and Museum
The Outwater Memorial Building
215 Niagara Street
Lockport, NY
Phone: 716-434-7433
Facebook
Website
- The Niagara County Historical Society complex presents a glimpse of life in Niagara County over the past 175 years.]
Societies
Listed below are societies in Niagara County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see New York Societies.
Central New York Genealogical Society
Box 104, Colvin Station
Syracuse, NY 13205
Email: contact@cnygs.org
Web Contact Form
Website
- Member queries; surname research list; online resources; six meetings/year; publishes Tree Talks (At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 974.7 B2t) quarterly with annual index.
Niagara County Genealogical Society
215 Lockport Street
Lockport NY 14094-2605
Phone: 716-433-1033
Website
info@niagaragenealogy.org
Facebook
Niagara County Historical Society History Center and Museum
The Outwater Memorial Building
215 Niagara Street
Lockport, NY
Phone: 716-434-7433
Facebook
Website
Western New York Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 338
Hamburg, NY 14075-0338
Email: info@wnygs.org
Website
- Focus is on eight Western New York counties - Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Wyoming, Orleans, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany - which comprise the area of the original Holland Land Company purchase.
Websites
- Niagara GenWeb
- Niagara USGenWeb Archives
- Niagara County Genealogy
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides
References
- ↑ Newberry
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Niagara, New York" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_County,_New_York accessed 21 Nov 2018
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Niagara 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.
- ↑ Several sources report a fire in 1813 from the War of 1812, but at that time all the records were in the Buffalo courthouse. The Lockport courthouse did not exist. All records appear to be extant.
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Niagara County, New York," in "Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_County%2C_New_York, accessed 25 January 2020.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Handybook, 847-61.
- ↑ Compare the more northerly route in Handybook, 849, with the more southerly route described in Wikipedia contributors, "New York State Route 5" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Route_5 (accessed 28 June 2011).
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), 488-493. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.