Sullivan County, New York Genealogy
Guide to Sullivan 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 Major General John Sullivan, who was a hero in the American Revolutionary War. The county is located in the southern area of the state.[1]
County Courthouse
Sullivan County Courthouse
414 Broadway
Monticello, NY 12701
Phone: 845-791-3540
Sullivan County Website
The Sullivan County Clerk has marriage, divorce and land records.
The Surrogate Court has probate and court records.
Sullivan 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 | 1809 | 1809 | 1811 | 1663 |
Record Loss
For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
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Boundary Changes
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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:[5]
| Towns | ||
| Villages | ||
| Hamlets | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
- 1581-1917 New York, Family Bible Records at Ancestry – ($); Index. Database is a collection of genealogically important records taken from the Bibles of colony and state residents. Reveals the Bible's original owner, brief record of descendants,and a particular event such as birth or marriage as recorded in Bible.
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
- 1800-1965 New York, Cemetery Abstracts, 1800-1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1810 | 6,108 | — |
| 1820 | 8,900 | 45.7% |
| 1830 | 12,364 | 38.9% |
| 1840 | 15,629 | 26.4% |
| 1850 | 25,088 | 60.5% |
| 1860 | 32,385 | 29.1% |
| 1870 | 34,550 | 6.7% |
| 1880 | 32,491 | −6.0% |
| 1890 | 31,031 | −4.5% |
| 1900 | 32,306 | 4.1% |
| 1910 | 33,808 | 4.6% |
| 1920 | 33,163 | −1.9% |
| 1930 | 35,272 | 6.4% |
| 1940 | 37,901 | 7.5% |
| 1950 | 40,731 | 7.5% |
| 1960 | 45,272 | 11.1% |
| 1970 | 52,580 | 16.1% |
| 1980 | 65,155 | 23.9% |
| 1990 | 69,277 | 6.3% |
| 2000 | 73,966 | 6.8% |
| 2010 | 77,547 | 4.8% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
For information and tips on using and accessing online census records, see New York Census.
Federal
U.S. Census Mortality Schedules for New York, 1850-1880:
- Available online at Ancestry ($).
- 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.[6]
- 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 |
| FS Library Films | - | - | - | Yes | - | Yes | - | - | Yes | |
| FamilySearch Images | – | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| New York State Library Films | - | - | - | 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
Methodist Episcopal
- Barber, Gertrude A. Records of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Sandburgh, Sullivan County, N.Y. 1990. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
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.
Local Histories
There is an every name index to the History of Sullivan County, New York by James Eldridge Quinian published by G. M. Beebe and W. T. Morgans in 1873, and republished by Fallsburg Printing Company in 1965-6, and 1975 online. Indexed was compiled by Cathy L. O'Connor in 2011.
- 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 Sullivan County for European settlers included:
- Minsi Path from Kingston, New York to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; from the Ulster and Delaware Turnpike to the Great Valley Road.
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, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index ; 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: Bethel · Callicoon · Cochecton · Fallsburg · Forestburgh · Fremont · Highland · Liberty · Lumberland · Mamakating · Neversink · Rockland · Thompson.
Regiments. Service men in Sullivan County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county.[7]
- - 1st Regiment, New York Jackson Heavy Artillery, Company F.
- - 2nd Regiment, New York Mounted Rifles, Company G.
- - 5th Regiment, New York Heavy Artillery, Company F.
- - 15th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Company L.
- - 18th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company D.
- - 25th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Companies A, B and C.
- - 28th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company H.
- - 56th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies F, H, I, K and L.
- - 143rd Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I K.
Naturalization and Citizenship
- 1791-1980 New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1792-1989 Index to Petitions for Naturalization filed in New York City, 1792-1989 at Ancestry ($). This database is based on NARA's Soundex Index to Petitions for Naturalization filed in Federal, State, and Local Courts located in New York City, 1792-1989. All 5 boroughs are included.
- 1824-1941 New York, Southern District Index to Petitions for Naturalization, 1824-1941 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images at partner site
- 1824-1946 New York, U.S. District and Circuit Court Naturalization Records, 1824-1991 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1872-1878 New York, Record of Naturalized Voters Registered, 1872-1878 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1917-1950 New York, Southern District Naturalization Index, 1917-1950 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images at partner site
The FamilySearch Library has also acquired this comprehensive index for the years 1792 through 1906 on microfilm: FS Library Film 1419807 (1st of 294 films). The courts this index covers are:
- City Court of Brooklyn, 1836-1894
- Kings County Court, 1806-1906
- New York City Marine Court, 1806-1849
- New York County Common Pleas Court, 1792-1895
- New York County Superior Court, 1828-1895
- New York City and County Supreme Court, 1868-1906
- Queens County Court, 1799-1906
- Queens County Surrogate Court, 1888-1898
- Richmond County Court, 1869-1906
- U.S. Circuit Court Southern District, 1846-1876
- U.S. District Court Eastern District, (Kings, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties), 1865-1906
Newspapers
- 1800-1855 New York Marriage Notices at Ancestry – ($); Index. This database is a collection of marriage notices published in newspapers around the state. Contains name of bride and groom, 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."
- 1845-1850 The Sullivan Whig, Published at Bloomingburgh, N.Y. 1990. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
- 1856-1863 Index to Marriages and Deaths in the New York Herald at Ancestry – ($); 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.
Sullivan County Democrat -- 1891 thru present.
The River Reporter -- 1975 thru present.
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.[8]
See New York Probate Records for online resources, details, links, and more.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 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 ($)
- 1787-1835 Abstracts of Wills, Administrations and Guardianships in NY State, 1787 - 1835 at American Ancestors ($).
- 1811-1909 Gertrude A. Barber, Index to Proceedings in Administration of Interstates [sic] Estates: 1811-1909, A-K: Sullivan County, New York Courts, Surrogate Court, Monticello, New York Digital version at Ancestry ($).
- 1866-1923 New York, Kings County Estate Files, 1866-1923 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1876-1909 Gertrude A. Barber, Index of Wills of Sullivan County, New York Digital version at Ancestry ($).
- 1876-1909 Gertrude A. Barber, Index of wills of Sullivan County, New York: this index includes the records of all wills admitted to probate from April, 1876, to the date of the fire, August 10, 1909: being Liber of Wills 8 to 16, inclusive: also the wills recorded pursuant to Chapter 219 of the Laws of 1910 in Book of Wills number one: will records one to seven, inclusive, were burned on August 10, 1909 (Ann Arbor, Michigan: University Microfilms International - Books on Demand, 1990). FS Library Fiche 6081262
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 ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Town Records
Town records in New York may include early births, marriages, deaths, divorces, local histories, selected military records, and town meeting minutes. Vital records from 1880/1882 are kept by town and village clerks, although some (Kent’s and Putnam Valley’s) are available in the County Historian’s Office. See:
- New York Towns, Villages, and Cities: A Guide to Genealogical Sources by Gordon L. Remington. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2002. FS Library Book 974.7 D27r; At various libraries (WorldCat); Alphabetical list including date founded, if a town history exists, church and cemetery sources, and if a Civil War register (TCR) exists.
Vital Records
- See New York Vital Records for more databases and information about obtaining vital records.
Vital records of birth, marriage or death were first recorded at the local level in the village clerk, town clerk, or city clerk’s ledger book.
Birth
- 1640-1962 New York Births and Christenings, 1640-1962 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1640-1962 New York Births and Christenings, 1640-1962 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1881-1942 New York, Birth Index, 1881-1942 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 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 Names of Persons for Whom Marriage Licenses Were Issued By the Secretary of the Province of New York, Previous to 1784, by New York. Secretary of State. Albany, New York: Weed, Parsons and Co., 1860. FS Library Film 514675 Item 1 or 930131 Item 2; At various libraries (WorldCat); Online at: Cornell University, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($); Marriage bonds issued in the State of New York prior to 1784, and the earliest record dating 1664.
- 1686-1980 New York Marriages, 1686-1980 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1847-1936 New York, County Marriages, 1847-1848; 1908-1936 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1881-1964 Reclaim the Records: New York State Marriage Index at Internet Archive - images of index
- 1908-1935 New York Marriages, 1908-1935 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
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 Sullivan County, New York Repositories. ([Ithaca, New York]: New York Historical Resources Center, Olin Library, Cornell University, 1988). ExLibris digital copy - free; At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 974.735 A3g Includes index. Includes references to some family histories and genealogies.
County Historian
Sullivan County Historian
John Conway P.O. Box 185
Barryville, NY 12719
Email: jconway52@hotmail.com
Website
- 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
- Plainview New York FamilySearch Center
- Terryville New York FamilySearch Center
- Sachem Public Library - an affiliate library
- The Smithtown Library - multiple locations - an affiliate library
- West Babylon Public Library - an affiliate library
Libraries
- See New York Archives and Libraries for state-wide library facilities.
The libraries in Sullivan County, New York are part of the Ramapo Catskill Library System (RCLS) which provides access to some online history and genealogical databases using a library card: HRVH Historical Newspapers, and Hudson River Valley Heritage digital collections.
Museums
Fort Delaware - Museum of Colonial History
6615 Route 97
North of Port Jervis
Narrowsburg, NY 12764
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 5012
Monticello, NY 12701-5192
Phone: 845–794–3459
Website
Societies
Listed below are societies in Sullivan County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see New York Societies.
Sullivan County Historical Society
265 Main Street
P.O. Box 247
Hurleyville, NY 12747–0247
Email: info@scnyhistory.org
Website
Websites
- Ancestry
- Sullivan NY GenWeb
- Sullivan County NY Genealogy
- Between the Lakes Group
- 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
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Sullivan County, New York" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sullivan_County,_New_York, accessed 22 Nov 2018
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Sullivan 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.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), 492. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002).At various libraries (WorldCat); FSC Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Sullivan County, New York," in "Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sullivan_County,_New_York, accessed 1 March 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.
- ↑ 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.