Tioga County, New York Genealogy
Guide to Tioga 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 an American Indian word meaning "at the forks", describing a meeting place. The county is located in the south-central area of the state.[1]
County Courthouse
Tioga County Courthouse
92 Court St
Binghamton, NY 13902
Phone: 607-240-5950
Tioga County Website
The Tioga County Clerk has marriage, divorce, court and land records.
The Surrogate court has probate records.
Tioga 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 | 1902 | 1880 | 1791 | 1791 | 1798 | 1663 |
Record Loss
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
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 | ||
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History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
- 1581-1917 New York, Family Bible Records at Ancestry ($) – index. Database is a collection of genealogically important records taken from the Bibles of colony and state residents. Reveals the Bible's original owner, brief record of descendants,and a particular event such as birth or marriage as recorded in Bible.
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
- 1800-1965 New York, Cemetery Abstracts, 1800-1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1800 | 7,109 | — |
| 1810 | 7,899 | 11.1% |
| 1820 | 16,971 | 114.8% |
| 1830 | 27,690 | 63.2% |
| 1840 | 20,527 | −25.9% |
| 1850 | 24,880 | 21.2% |
| 1860 | 28,748 | 15.5% |
| 1870 | 30,572 | 6.3% |
| 1880 | 32,673 | 6.9% |
| 1890 | 29,935 | −8.4% |
| 1900 | 27,951 | −6.6% |
| 1910 | 25,624 | −8.3% |
| 1920 | 24,212 | −5.5% |
| 1930 | 25,480 | 5.2% |
| 1940 | 27,072 | 6.2% |
| 1950 | 30,166 | 11.4% |
| 1960 | 37,802 | 25.3% |
| 1970 | 46,513 | 23.0% |
| 1980 | 49,812 | 7.1% |
| 1990 | 52,337 | 5.1% |
| 2000 | 51,784 | −1.1% |
| 2010 | 51,125 | −1.3% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
For information and tips on using and accessing online census records, see New York Census.
Federal
U.S. Census Mortality Schedules for New York, 1850-1880:
- Available online at Ancestry ($).
- 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 | Yes |
| FS Library Films | Yes | - | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| FamilySearch Images | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| New York State Library Films | Yes | Yes | - | Yes | 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
Methodist
- 1841-1848 Miscellaneous Records of Methodist Episcopal Marriages 1841-1848, courtesy: NYGenWeb.
- 1850-1896 Marriage, Baptism and Funeral Records of Rev. Wm. H. King, courtesy of NYGenWeb; FS Library film 1029885 Item 2.
- 1854-1858 Methodist Episcopal Marriages and Baptisms 1854-1858, courtesy of NYGenWeb.
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
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- Historical gazetteer of Tioga County, New York, 1785-1888
- Maps of New York (1683-1915)
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Migration routes for early European settlers to and from Tioga County included:[7]
- Ancram (NY) Turnpike[8] 1805, also sometimes called the Catskill Road, from Salisbury, Connecticut to Catskill, New York
- Catskill Road 1750s from Springfield, Massachusetts to Catskill, New York[9] [10] [11] [12] [13]
- Catskill Turnpike (aka Susquehannah Turnpike ) from Catskill, NY to Unadilla, NY; route travelled by Europeans by the 1750s; toll booths opened by 1804.[14] [11] [15] [16]
- Forbidden Path, 1767 from Athens, Pennsylvania to Salamanca, New York[17]
- Lehigh and Lackawanna Paths 1766 from Unadilla, New York to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that is, from the Catskill Turnpike to the Great Valley Road.[18]
- Ulster and Delaware Turnpike 1802 from Salisbury, Connecticut to Bainbridge, New York
Military Records
Civil War
- 1861-1865 New York, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — 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 ($).
Available towns. Registers are available for: Berkshire · Candor · Nichols · Richford · Spencer · Tioga.
Regiments. Service men in Tioga County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county.[19]
- - 8th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Companies C and F.
- - 23rd Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies C and E.
- - 64th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company H.
- - 109th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies B, C, H, I and K.
- - 137th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies B, C, G and H.
- - 179th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company K.
- - 194th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company B.
Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1791-1980 New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1872-1878 New York, Record of Naturalized Voters Registered, 1872-1878 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Newspapers
- 1800-1855 New York Marriage Notices at Ancestry ($) – 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."
- 1856-1863 Index to Marriages and Deaths in the New York Herald at Ancestry ($) – index. These newspaper notices refer to people up and down the East Coast as well as midwesterners and persons from as far west as the State of California. Also browsable.
Obituaries
Other Records
Periodicals
Crooked Lake Review - local history magazine for the Conhocton, Canisteo, Tioga, Chemung and Genesee river valleys, and for the Finger Lakes and Lake Ontario regions.
Probate Records
Probate records (wills, bonds, petitions, accounts, inventories, administrations, orders, decrees, and distributions) for New York are held in the office of the county Surrogate Court beginning in 1787, or when the county was formed. Prior to 1787, most are housed at the New York State Archives.
Content: Probate Records may give the decedent's date of death, names of spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, associates, relatives, and their place of residence.
Probate Petitions In 1830, state law required the Surrogate Court clerk to issue a probate petition for a deceased individual with property. This petition, unique to New York, usually lists the deceased's death date. It also lists the heirs, their relationship to the deceased, and their residence. These petitions are often found in the estate files.[20]
See New York Probate Records for online resources, details, links, and more.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1626-1836 Calendar of Wills On File and Recorded in the Offices of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals, of the County Clerk at Albany, and of the Secretary of State, 1626-1836 at FamilySearch Digital Library; Also at: Ancestry ($), 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 ($).
- 1795-1838 Wills filed in Tioga County, New York by persons who resided in that portion of Tioga County that became present Chemung County, New York. Courtesy: Tri-Counties Genealogy & History by Joyce M. Tice.
- 1798-1904 SAMPUBCO Browsable index of testators of wills (1798-1904).
- 1798-1846 Canfield, Amos. "Abstracts of Wills Taken from the Probate Records of Tioga County, New York," The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, 1798-1808 (Liber A), 1808-1817 (Liber B): Vol. 57, No. 4 (Oct. 1926):381-386; 1818-1834 (Liber C): Vol. 58, No. 1 (Jan. 1927):67-76; 1834-1836 (Book 8-D-8), 1836-1840 (Liber 1-D-1), 1840-1846 (Liber 2-E-2): Vol. 58, No. 3 (Jul. 1927):277-287. Digital version at New York Family History ($); FS Library Book 974.7 B2n v. 57-58.
- 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
- 1798-1905 Will books FS Library Film 811560 (15 films)
- 1800-1969 Probate records: Index to wills and surrogate records 1800–1969, Guardianship 1840–1905, Index to guardianship and administrations 1800–1936 FS Library Film 811546 (9 films)
- 1825-1947 Probate records FS Library Film 811555-59.
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 ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Town Records
Town records in New York may include early births, marriages, deaths, divorces, local histories, selected military records, and town meeting minutes. Vital records from 1880/1882 are kept by town and village clerks, although some (Kent’s and Putnam Valley’s) are available in the County Historian’s Office. See:
- New York Towns, Villages, and Cities: A Guide to Genealogical Sources by Gordon L. Remington. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2002. FS Library Book 974.7 D27r; At various libraries (WorldCat); Alphabetical list including date founded, if a town history exists, church and cemetery sources, and if a Civil War register (TCR) exists.
Vital Records
- See New York Vital Records for more databases and information about obtaining vital records.
Vital records of birth, marriage or death were first recorded at the local level in the village clerk, town clerk, or city clerk’s ledger book.
Birth
- 1640-1962 New York Births and Christenings, 1640-1962 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1829-1964 Tioga County Clerk Miscellaneous Records FS Library Film 1010198.
- 1881-1942 New York, Birth Indexes Outside of New York City, 1881-1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1881-1942 New York, Birth Index, 1881-1942 at Ancestry ($) — index
- 1881-1942 Reclaim the Records: New York State Birth Index at 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
- 1829-1964 Tioga County Clerk Miscellaneous Records FS Library Film 1010198.
- 1847-1936 New York, County Marriages, 1847-1848; 1908-1936 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection - index & images
- 1847-1850 Marriage Records FS Library Film 1029885 Item 1. Microfilm of original records in the Tioga County courthouse.
- 1881-1964 Reclaim the Records: New York State Marriage Index at 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
- 1829-1964 Tioga County Clerk Miscellaneous Records FS Library Film 1010198.
- 1880-1956 New York, State Death Index, 1880-1956 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1880-1956 Reclaim the Records: New York State Death Index at Internet Archive - images of 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.
Research Facilities
Archives
- See New York Archives and Libraries for state-wide archive facilities.
Cornell University, Guide to Historical Resources in Tioga County, New York Repositories. ([Ithaca, New York]: New York Historical Resources Center, Olin Library, Cornell University, 1983). At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 974.777 A3g. Includes index. Includes references to some family histories and genealogies.
County Historian
Emma Sedore, Historian
16 Court Street
P.O. Box 307
Owego, NY 13827
Phone: (607) 687-8646
Email: sedoree@co.tioga.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.
Tioga County New York ArchivesUSGenWeb
- Genealogical resources: biographies, cemetery records, tax lists, military records and other assorted lists.
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
- Owego New York FamilySearch Center
- Vestal New York FamilySearch Center
- Steele Memorial Library - an affiliate library
Libraries
- See New York Archives and Libraries for state-wide library facilities.
Museums
Tioga County Historical Society Museum
110-112 Front St.
Owego, NY 13827
Phone: 607-687-2460
Email: museum@tiogahistory.org
Website
- 300,000 index card index to censuses, newspapers, family Bibles, family folders, local histories, published genealogies.
Societies
Listed below are societies in Tioga 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.
- Counties served: Albany, Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego, Rensselaer, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Washington, Wayne, Warren, Wyoming, and Yates.
Finger Lakes Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 581
Seneca Falls, NY 13148
Website
Websites
- Tioga County NYGenWeb
- Ancestry
- Tioga 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
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Tioga County, New York" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tioga_County,_New_York, accessed 26 Nov 2018
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Tioga 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, "Tioga County, New York," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tioga_County,_New_York, accessed 2 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.
- ↑ Handybook, 847-61.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ List of turnpikes in New York in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia (accessed 6 November 2014).
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Almira E Morgan, The Catskill Turnpike: A Wilderness Path (Ithaca, N.Y.: DeWitt Historical Society of Thompkins County, 1971), 5. Online digital copy.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Huntting, 97-99.
- ↑ List of turnpikes in New York in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia (accessed 1 November 2014).
- ↑ Anastassia Zinke, The Susquehanna Turnpike and America's Frontier History in Catskill Mountain Foundation (accessed 1 November 2014).
- ↑ Joan Odess, The Susquehanna Turnpike (pdf accessed 1 November 2014).
- ↑ Paul A. W. Wallace, Indian Paths of Pennsylvania (Harrisburg, Pa.: PA Historical and Museum Commission, 1971), 46-48. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 974.8 H2wp.
- ↑ Handybook, 850-51.
- ↑ 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.