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New York Vital Records: Difference between revisions
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[[United States Vital Records|Vital Records]] consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]] recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. [[Locating United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]] has additional research guidance on researching and using vital records. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the [http://www.health.state.ny.us/vital_records/ New York Vital Records State Department of Health]. | [[United States Vital Records|Vital Records]] consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]] recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. [[Locating United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]] has additional research guidance on researching and using vital records. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the [http://www.health.state.ny.us/vital_records/ New York Vital Records State Department of Health]. | ||
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'''For Vital Records of New York City '''[[New York City, New York#Vital_Records|Click here]]. | '''For Vital Records of New York City '''[[New York City, New York#Vital_Records|Click here]]. | ||
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| width="44%" | __TOC__ | | width="44%" | __TOC__ | ||
| valign="middle" | <center>''' [[Image:Vital Records Collage.JPG|center|250px]] '''<br></center> | | valign="middle" | <center>''' [[Image:Vital Records Collage.JPG|center|250px]] '''<br></center> | ||
=== Vital Records Reference Dates === | === Vital Records Reference Dates === | ||
New York's vital records outside New York City start the following years: <br> | New York's vital records outside New York City start the following years: <br> | ||
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{| | {| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="100%" border="1" | ||
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| width="16.6% | | align="center" width="16.6%" | <br> | ||
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc | | align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | [[New York Vital Records#Birth_Records|Births]] | ||
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc | | align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | [[New York Vital Records#Marriage_Records|Marriages]] | ||
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc | | align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | [[New York Vital Records#Death_Records|Deaths]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | | align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | Earliest | ||
| align="center" width="16.6%" | <br> | |||
| width="16.6% | | align="center" width="16.6%" | <br> | ||
| width="16.6% | | align="center" width="16.6%" | <br> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | | align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | Statewide Registration | ||
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1880 | |||
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1963 | |||
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1880 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | | align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | General Compliance | ||
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1890 | |||
| align="center" width="16.6%" | <br> | |||
| width="16.6% | | align="center" width="16.6%" | 1890 | ||
|} | |} | ||
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*USGenWeb.org [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nygenweb/ New York Site] - Free | *USGenWeb.org [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nygenweb/ New York Site] - Free | ||
*Search for New York Collections on [https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch.org] under [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/list#page=1®ion=NORTH_AMERICA Canada, USA, and Mexico] - Free | *Search for New York Collections on [https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch.org] under [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/list#page=1®ion=NORTH_AMERICA Canada, USA, and Mexico] - Free | ||
*Linkpendium Links for [http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/NY/ New York Genealogy and History], including individual Counties - Free/$ | *Linkpendium Links for [http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/NY/ New York Genealogy and History], including individual Counties - Free/$ | ||
*Search the [http://www.ancestry.com/search/locality/dbpage.aspx?tp=2&p=35&categoryFilterID=34&showPaging=true New York Birth, Marriage & Death] Records at Ancestry.com - $ | *Search the [http://www.ancestry.com/search/locality/dbpage.aspx?tp=2&p=35&categoryFilterID=34&showPaging=true New York Birth, Marriage & Death] Records at Ancestry.com - $ | ||
*Order [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm New York Certificates] online - <span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1247073573052_30" /><span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1247073573052_178" />$ | *Order [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm New York Certificates] online - <span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1247073573052_30" /><span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1247073573052_178" />$ | ||
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*[http://newyork-genealogy.com/New-York-Vital-Records.cfm New York Genealogy--Vital Records] Organizes vital record sources by locality in New York | *[http://newyork-genealogy.com/New-York-Vital-Records.cfm New York Genealogy--Vital Records] Organizes vital record sources by locality in New York | ||
If you are aware of other online databases, please feel free to add them. | If you are aware of other online databases, please feel free to add them. | ||
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== | == Records of Births and Deaths == | ||
Statewide registration of vital statistics began in 1880 and was usually complied with by 1890 for deaths and by 1915 for births. In some areas of Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley, some births, marriages, and deaths were recorded in town records as early as about 1665. For example, Amenia, Dutchess County, has vital records beginning in 1749. | Statewide registration of vital statistics began in 1880 and was usually complied with by 1890 for deaths and by 1915 for births. In some areas of Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley, some births, marriages, and deaths were recorded in town records as early as about 1665. For example, Amenia, Dutchess County, has vital records beginning in 1749. | ||
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| New York <br> | | New York <br> | ||
| (1847 for births, and 1801 for deaths) | | (1847 for births, and 1801 for deaths) | ||
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<br>You can learn more about the history and availability of vital records in ''Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City)''. <ref>''Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City)'', three Volumes. (Albany, New York: Historical Records Survey, 1942; ({{FHL|173798|item}} 974.7 V23h; film 928101]; fiche 6046676).</ref> The Family History Library has vital records for a few counties, mostly from 1847–1850 and marriages from 1908 to the 1930s. | <br>You can learn more about the history and availability of vital records in ''Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City)''. <ref>''Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City)'', three Volumes. (Albany, New York: Historical Records Survey, 1942; ({{FHL|173798|item}} 974.7 V23h; film 928101]; fiche 6046676).</ref> The Family History Library has vital records for a few counties, mostly from 1847–1850 and marriages from 1908 to the 1930s. | ||
Births and deaths are recorded in the town, village, or city where the event took place. A copy is sent to the New York Bureau of Vital Statistics. If you know the birth or death place, write to the town, village, or city clerk to obtain a copy of the certificate or record. <br> | Births and deaths are recorded in the town, village, or city where the event took place. A copy is sent to the New York Bureau of Vital Statistics. If you know the birth or death place, write to the town, village, or city clerk to obtain a copy of the certificate or record. <br> | ||
'''Where can I find the New York Vital Records Index?'''<br> | '''Where can I find the New York Vital Records Index?'''<br> | ||
Ten copies of the official New York state microfiche index are available to be searched in New York. This index does not cover New York City. Without this list, these copies can be difficult to locate because of misinformation and a limited web presence. The New York State Library website itself is misleading: "The Indexes are currently available upstate only at the New York State Archives, and Rochester Public Library... The National Archives and Records Administration's Northeast Region office in New York City also has the Indexes."<ref>New York State Library, URL: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/genealogy/vitrec.htm, Page location: NYSED / OCE / NYSL / Research Library / Collections / Genealogy / Vital Records. Last Updated: June 21, 2011.</ref> Again, these are '''not''' the only 3 locations. The New York State Archives website lists the following information:<ref>New York State Archives website, page location = Research: Topics: Genealogy: Vital Records, http://www.archives.nysed.gov/a/research/res_topics_gen_vitalstats.shtml. Updated March 2011.</ref><br> Copies of the microfiche index to vital records certificates held by the NYS Department of Health are located at the following locations: <span id="1313449430259S" style="display: none | Ten copies of the official New York state microfiche index are available to be searched in New York. This index does not cover New York City. Without this list, these copies can be difficult to locate because of misinformation and a limited web presence. The New York State Library website itself is misleading: "The Indexes are currently available upstate only at the New York State Archives, and Rochester Public Library... The National Archives and Records Administration's Northeast Region office in New York City also has the Indexes."<ref>New York State Library, URL: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/genealogy/vitrec.htm, Page location: NYSED / OCE / NYSL / Research Library / Collections / Genealogy / Vital Records. Last Updated: June 21, 2011.</ref> Again, these are '''not''' the only 3 locations. The New York State Archives website lists the following information:<ref>New York State Archives website, page location = Research: Topics: Genealogy: Vital Records, http://www.archives.nysed.gov/a/research/res_topics_gen_vitalstats.shtml. Updated March 2011.</ref><br>Copies of the microfiche index to vital records certificates held by the NYS Department of Health are located at the following locations: <span id="1313449430259S" style="display: none"> </span> | ||
1. New York State Archives, Cultural Education Center, Empire State Plaza, Albany 12230. Available Monday through Friday, 9:00-4:30, and Saturday, 9:30-4:30 except State holidays. No appointment is needed to use the indexes. Researchers must produce identification, sign a registration form, and comply with the rules of the research room. Several microfiche readers are available for use, however, researchers will be limited to one hour's use of a microfiche reader, if other persons are waiting to use the readers. Note: Staff will search index for a fee.<br>2. National Archives--Northeast Region, 201 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014; telephone (212) 401-1620, email newyork.archives@nara.gov; website www.archives.gov/nyc/<br>3. Rochester Public Library--115 South Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604; telephone (585) 428-8440, website www3.libraryweb.org<br>4. Onondaga County Public Library, 447 South Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13202; telephone (315) 435-1900; website www.onlib.org. Note: Staff will conduct a basic look-up at [http://www.unyg.com/blog/index.php/2008/03/vital-records-lookups-update-to-the-update/ no charge.]<br>5. Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Grosvenor Room, 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY 14203; telephone (716) 858-8900; website www.buffalolib.org/<br>6. Steele Memorial Library—101 East Church Street, Elmira, NY 14901; telephone (607) 733-8603; website www.steele.lib.ny.us<br>7. Crandall Public Library, Center for Folklife, History & Cultural Programs—251 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801; telephone (518) 792-6508; website www.crandalllibrary.org<br>8. Patchogue-Medford Library—54 E. Main Street, Patchogue, NY 11772; telephone (631) 654-4700; website www.pmlib.org<br>9. Flower Memorial Library—229 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601; telephone (315) 785-7705; website www.flowerlibrary.org<br>10. Broome County Public Library—185 Court Street, Binghamton, NY 13901; telephone (607) 778-6400; website www.bclibrary.info/index.html<br><br> | 1. New York State Archives, Cultural Education Center, Empire State Plaza, Albany 12230. Available Monday through Friday, 9:00-4:30, and Saturday, 9:30-4:30 except State holidays. No appointment is needed to use the indexes. Researchers must produce identification, sign a registration form, and comply with the rules of the research room. Several microfiche readers are available for use, however, researchers will be limited to one hour's use of a microfiche reader, if other persons are waiting to use the readers. Note: Staff will search index for a fee.<br>2. National Archives--Northeast Region, 201 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014; telephone (212) 401-1620, email newyork.archives@nara.gov; website www.archives.gov/nyc/<br>3. Rochester Public Library--115 South Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604; telephone (585) 428-8440, website www3.libraryweb.org<br>4. Onondaga County Public Library, 447 South Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13202; telephone (315) 435-1900; website www.onlib.org. Note: Staff will conduct a basic look-up at [http://www.unyg.com/blog/index.php/2008/03/vital-records-lookups-update-to-the-update/ no charge.]<br>5. Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Grosvenor Room, 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY 14203; telephone (716) 858-8900; website www.buffalolib.org/<br>6. Steele Memorial Library—101 East Church Street, Elmira, NY 14901; telephone (607) 733-8603; website www.steele.lib.ny.us<br>7. Crandall Public Library, Center for Folklife, History & Cultural Programs—251 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801; telephone (518) 792-6508; website www.crandalllibrary.org<br>8. Patchogue-Medford Library—54 E. Main Street, Patchogue, NY 11772; telephone (631) 654-4700; website www.pmlib.org<br>9. Flower Memorial Library—229 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601; telephone (315) 785-7705; website www.flowerlibrary.org<br>10. Broome County Public Library—185 Court Street, Binghamton, NY 13901; telephone (607) 778-6400; website www.bclibrary.info/index.html<br><br> | ||
Finding your ancestor on the index is only the first step. You can obtain births and deaths since 1880 (except New York City) for a fee by writing to: | Finding your ancestor on the index is only the first step. You can obtain births and deaths since 1880 (except New York City) for a fee by writing to: | ||
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'''Registrar of Vital Statistics'''<br>City Hall<br>Yonkers, NY 10701<br>Telephone: 914-964-3066 <br>Internet: http://www.rootsweb.com/~nysuffol/vroi.html | '''Registrar of Vital Statistics'''<br>City Hall<br>Yonkers, NY 10701<br>Telephone: 914-964-3066 <br>Internet: http://www.rootsweb.com/~nysuffol/vroi.html | ||
'''New York City'''. The New York City counties of Kings, Queens, Richmond, and New York were established in 1683. The Bronx was made a separate borough when the five boroughs were created in 1898, and in 1914 it was made a separate county as well. Between 1898 and 1914 the Bronx was part of New York County but not part of the Borough of Manhattan. For more in-depth treatment of vital records in New York City and its bouroughs [[New York City, New York#Vital_Recotfd|Click Here]].<br> | '''New York City'''. The New York City counties of Kings, Queens, Richmond, and New York were established in 1683. The Bronx was made a separate borough when the five boroughs were created in 1898, and in 1914 it was made a separate county as well. Between 1898 and 1914 the Bronx was part of New York County but not part of the Borough of Manhattan. For more in-depth treatment of vital records in New York City and its bouroughs [[New York City, New York#Vital_Recotfd|Click Here]].<br> | ||
== Marriage Records<br> | == Marriage Records<br> == | ||
=== Provincial Marriage Licenses === | === Provincial Marriage Licenses === | ||
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Marriages in colonial times were initiated either by publishing the banns in church on three successive Sundays or by obtaining a civil marriage bond and license. The Prerogative Court granted marriage licenses between 1753 and 1783. Most people published the banns since buying a license could cost a month's wages. | Marriages in colonial times were initiated either by publishing the banns in church on three successive Sundays or by obtaining a civil marriage bond and license. The Prerogative Court granted marriage licenses between 1753 and 1783. Most people published the banns since buying a license could cost a month's wages. | ||
Marriage bonds, 1753–1783, that were recorded at the Secretary of State's Office in Albany appear in ''New York Marriages Previous to 1784''. <ref>''New York Marriages Previous to 1784'' (1860; reprint, Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1984; ({{FHL|197243|item}} book 974.7 V28n 1968; film 514675 item 1 has the 1860 edition). </ref>The book lists names of brides and grooms, date of the bond (not the marriage), bond volume, and page numbers. Many marriage bonds were destroyed in a fire in 1911. Those that survived are at the state archives. The full data from these remaining bonds is transcribed in ''Kenneth Scott's New York Marriage Bonds, 1753–1783'' <ref>''Kenneth Scott's New York Marriage Bonds, 1753–1783'' (New York, New York: St. Nicholas Society of the City of New York, 1972; not at Family History Library). </ref> | Marriage bonds, 1753–1783, that were recorded at the Secretary of State's Office in Albany appear in ''New York Marriages Previous to 1784''. <ref>''New York Marriages Previous to 1784'' (1860; reprint, Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1984; ({{FHL|197243|item}} book 974.7 V28n 1968; film 514675 item 1 has the 1860 edition). </ref>The book lists names of brides and grooms, date of the bond (not the marriage), bond volume, and page numbers. Many marriage bonds were destroyed in a fire in 1911. Those that survived are at the state archives. The full data from these remaining bonds is transcribed in ''Kenneth Scott's New York Marriage Bonds, 1753–1783'' <ref>''Kenneth Scott's New York Marriage Bonds, 1753–1783'' (New York, New York: St. Nicholas Society of the City of New York, 1972; not at Family History Library). </ref> | ||
About 152,000 individuals are indexed in ''Marriage Index: Selected Areas of New York, 1639–1916'' <ref>''Marriage Index: Selected Areas of New York, 1639–1916'' ([Novato, California]: Brøderbund Software, 1996; Family History Library compact disc number 9 part 401 [does not circulate to Family History Centers]). </ref>These marriages were originally indexed by Knshp publishers. The index is especially good for the years prior to 1810 and in the Hudson and Mohawk valleys from 1810–1899. | About 152,000 individuals are indexed in ''Marriage Index: Selected Areas of New York, 1639–1916'' <ref>''Marriage Index: Selected Areas of New York, 1639–1916'' ([Novato, California]: Brøderbund Software, 1996; Family History Library compact disc number 9 part 401 [does not circulate to Family History Centers]). </ref>These marriages were originally indexed by Knshp publishers. The index is especially good for the years prior to 1810 and in the Hudson and Mohawk valleys from 1810–1899. | ||
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Since 1846, the supreme court has recorded divorce proceedings. Each county has a supreme court, roughly equivalent to a district court in other states. Some counties may share supreme court justices. Many people before 1966 found it easier to obtain a divorce out of state. Access to supreme court divorce records less than 100 years old is prohibited without judicial permission. You must obtain a court order to see a file. The actual trial records are sealed. | Since 1846, the supreme court has recorded divorce proceedings. Each county has a supreme court, roughly equivalent to a district court in other states. Some counties may share supreme court justices. Many people before 1966 found it easier to obtain a divorce out of state. Access to supreme court divorce records less than 100 years old is prohibited without judicial permission. You must obtain a court order to see a file. The actual trial records are sealed. | ||
The Family History Library has microfilmed very few divorce judgments. For New York County, only the index to divorce records has been microfilmed in ''Index to Matrimonial Actions, 1784–1910'' <ref>New York County (New York). County Clerk. ''Index to Matrimonial Actions, 1784–1910''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1977. ({{FHL|235832|item}} film 1017465–67). </ref> | The Family History Library has microfilmed very few divorce judgments. For New York County, only the index to divorce records has been microfilmed in ''Index to Matrimonial Actions, 1784–1910'' <ref>New York County (New York). County Clerk. ''Index to Matrimonial Actions, 1784–1910''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1977. ({{FHL|235832|item}} film 1017465–67). </ref> | ||
== Adoption Records == | == Adoption Records == | ||
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[[New York Probate Records|Probate Records]]: If no death record exists, probate records may be helpful in estimating when an individual has died. Some early Probate Indexes include death date of individual. (See Rockland County Surrogate Image on the right. The Death date of the individual is found in the column next to the Surname listed.) Probate records in the 20th Century often contain the exact death date. | [[New York Probate Records|Probate Records]]: If no death record exists, probate records may be helpful in estimating when an individual has died. Some early Probate Indexes include death date of individual. (See Rockland County Surrogate Image on the right. The Death date of the individual is found in the column next to the Surname listed.) Probate records in the 20th Century often contain the exact death date. | ||
[[New York History|History]]: Local histories, family histories and biographies can all be sources of birth, marriage and death information. Often this information is found in county-level records or in surname searches of the Family History Library catalog. | [[New York History|History]]: Local histories, family histories and biographies can all be sources of birth, marriage and death information. Often this information is found in county-level records or in surname searches of the Family History Library catalog. | ||
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
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== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
{{New York|New York}} | {{New York|New York}} | ||
'''Wiki articles describing online collections are found at:'''<br> | '''Wiki articles describing online collections are found at:'''<br> | ||
*[[New York Births and Christenings (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | *[[New York Births and Christenings (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
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*[[New York Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | *[[New York Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
*[[New York Deaths and Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | *[[New York Deaths and Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
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[[Category:New_York|Vital Records]] [[Category:Record_Types_of_the_United_States]] [[Category:United_States_Vital_Records]] | [[Category:New_York|Vital Records]] [[Category:Record_Types_of_the_United_States]] [[Category:United_States_Vital_Records]] | ||