Wayne County, New York Genealogy
Guide to Wayne 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 General Anthony Wayne, an American Revolutionary War hero and American statesman. The county is located in the central area of the state.[1]
County Courthouse
Wayne County Courthouse
54 Broad St
Lyons, NY 14489
Phone: 315-665-8117
Wayne County Website
The Wayne County Courthouse is the home for the County Clerk and County Historian.
Wayne 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 | 1907 | 1880 | 1823 | 1823 | 1823 | 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 | ||
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| Census-designated places | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
- 1581-1917 New York, Family Bible Records at Ancestry – ($); Index. Database is a collection of genealogically important records taken from the Bibles of colony and state residents. Reveals the Bible's original owner, brief record of descendants,and a particular event such as birth or marriage as recorded in Bible.
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
- 1800-1965 New York, Cemetery Abstracts, 1800-1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1830 | 33,643 | — |
| 1840 | 42,057 | 25.0% |
| 1850 | 44,953 | 6.9% |
| 1860 | 47,762 | 6.2% |
| 1870 | 47,710 | −0.1% |
| 1880 | 51,700 | 8.4% |
| 1890 | 49,729 | −3.8% |
| 1900 | 48,660 | −2.1% |
| 1910 | 50,179 | 3.1% |
| 1920 | 48,827 | −2.7% |
| 1930 | 49,995 | 2.4% |
| 1940 | 52,747 | 5.5% |
| 1950 | 57,323 | 8.7% |
| 1960 | 67,989 | 18.6% |
| 1970 | 79,404 | 16.8% |
| 1980 | 84,581 | 6.5% |
| 1990 | 89,123 | 5.4% |
| 2000 | 93,765 | 5.2% |
| 2010 | 93,751 | −0.0% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
For information and tips on using and accessing online census records, see New York Census.
Federal
U.S. Census Mortality Schedules for New York, 1850-1880:
- Available online at Ancestry ($).
- 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.
- The 1890 Census is lost. For a substitute, see Wayne.
State
| Source | 1825 | 1835 | 1845 | 1855 | 1865 | 1875 | 1892 | 1905 | 1915 | 1925 |
| Ancestry.com | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| FS Library Films | - | - | - | Yes Index | Index | Yes | ||||
| FamilySearch Images | - | - | - | Yes | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| New York State Library Films | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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
- 1800s Wayne County NY Marriages from Universalist Sources at NYGenWeb
- 1823-1847 Rev. Noah Barrell's Record of Marriages, 1823-1847 at NYGenWeb
- Wayne County Marriages at NYGenWeb
- Wayne County church records at Cornell University's Study Center for Early Religious Life]
Baptists
- 1854-1855 Wayne County members of the New York Baptist Union for Ministerial Education, 1854-1855at NYGenWeb
Methodist
- 1863-1870 Marriages at the Methodist Episcopal Church, Port Gibson, Ontario County, N.Y., October 1863 - April 1870at NYGenWeb
- 1870-1894 Records of Marriages of Port Gibson, Methodist Episcopal Church, Port Gibson, Ontario County, N.Y. November 1870 - April 1894at NYGenWeb
- 1907-1936 Records of Marriages of Port Gibson, Methodist Episcopal Church, Port Gibson, Ontario County, N.Y. June 1907 - March 1936at NYGenWeb
Society of Friends
- Bradley, A. Day. "Records of Junius Friends Monthly Meeting, Seneca and Wayne Counties, New York," National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 69, No. 1 (Mar. 1981):15-26. Digital version at National Genealogical Society website ($); FS Library Book 973 B2ng v. 69 (1981).
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
- The Wayne County NY Gen Web site has provided the 1867 Directory of Wayne County.
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
- History of Wayne County, New York : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories. Everts, Ensign & Everts. Philadelphia, PA, 1877. Online 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)
- Wayne County Town Map - Wayne County Government
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Early migration routes to and from Wayne County for European settlers included:[7]
- Lake Ontario
- Mohawk or Iroquois Trail (west fork) about 1722
- Great Genesee Road 1794
- Erie Canal 1825
Military Records
Civil War
Town registers. The New York town clerks kept a bound register of all soldiers from their town serving in the Civil War 1861-1865. Registers are arranged by county, and town. Some town registers are missing. The registers include an index at the start of each town.
Content. Many register entries include full name, residence, date and place of birth, parents names, marital status, date of enlistment and muster and rank, discharges, death, or promotion.
Access. The original registers are at the New York State Archives in Albany, New York. Microfilm copies are found at the FamilySearch Library (FS Library Film 1993401-37). They are also indexed and available at Ancestry.com ($).
Available towns. Registers are available for: Butler · Galen · Huron · Lyons · Macedon · Marion · Ontario · Rose · Savannah · Sodus · Walworth · Williamson · Wolcott.
Regiments. Service men in Wayne County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county.[8]
- - 1st Battalion, New York Light Artillery, Battery L
- - 2nd Regiment, New York Mounted Rifles, Company F
- - 8th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Companies C, D and I
- - 10th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Companies A and L
- - 15th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Company C
- - 17th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company I
- - 22nd Regiment, New York Cavalry, Companies D and H
- - 27th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company B
- - 33rd Regiment, New York Infantry, Company B
- - 67th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company D
- - 90th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company D
- - 98th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies F, I and K
- - 98th Regiment, New York Infantry National Guard (100 days, 1864), Companies F, I, and K
- - 111th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies A, B, C, D and E
- - 138th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies A, B, D, G, H and K
- - 160th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies A, B, D and I
- - 161st Regiment, New York Infantry, Company A
- - 193rd Regiment, New York Infantry, Company G
- - 194th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company H
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 – ($); Index. This database is a collection of marriage notices published in newspapers around the state. Contains name of bride and groom, marriage date, marriage location, residence, and newspaper found in.
- 1801-1880 Barber Collection- Newspaper Marriages at Ancestry ($) Index. Information extracted from the "Brooklyn Eagle" and the "New York Evening Post."
- 1801-1890 Barber Collection- Newspaper Deaths at Ancestry ($) Index. Information extracted from the "Brooklyn Eagle" and the "New York Evening Post."
- 1809-1850 Fred Q. Bowman,10,000 Vital Records of Western New York, 1809-1850 (Baltimore,MD: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1985). FS Library Book 974.7 V2b; At various libraries (WorldCat); Online at: Ancestry ($); MyHeritage ($); Abstracted from newspaper marriage and death columns.
- 1813-1850 Fred Q. Bowman,10,000 Vital Records of Central New York, 1813-1850 (Baltimore, MD:Genealogical Pub. Co., 1986). FS Library Book 974.7 V2bf; At various libraries (WorldCat); Online at: Ancestry ($); MyHeritage ($); Abstracted from newspaper marriage and death columns.
- 1856-1863 Index to Marriages and Deaths in the New York Herald at Ancestry ($) 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.
- Marriages and Deaths from the Wayne Sentinel at Ancestry ($)
- Wiles, Harriett Mae Evretts. Marriages and Deaths from the Lyons Republican and Inscriptions from the Lyons Rural Cemetery: Nelson, N.Y. and Aurora, N.Y. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University Microfilms International - Books on Demand, 1990. WorldCat 22894918; FS Library fiche 6081207 Also found at www.ancestry.com ($)
- Old Fulton Postcards - Free search-able website which holds newspapers from upstate New York.
- Surname Search - Office of the Wayne County Historian - Enter surname, given name matches listed in alphabetical order from historiancs records. Includes clipped newspaper articles.
- Wayne County (NY) newspapers on microfilm and paper at all NYS locations - NY State Library
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.[9]
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 ($)
- 1787-1835 Abstracts of Wills, Administrations and Guardianships in NY State, 1787 - 1835 at American Ancestors ($)
- 1823-1901 SAMPUBCO Browsable index of testators of wills.
- 1823-1849 Wiles, Harriet M. Abstracts of Wills of Wayne County, N.Y.: Surrogate's Office, Lyons, N.Y. New York, 193--1940. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
- 1823-1850 Wiles, Harriet M. Letters of Administration: Intestate Records in the Surrogate's Office, Lyons, Wayne County, N.Y. New York, N.Y., 1940. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
- 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
- 1823-1903 Probate records (index to 1964) FS Library Film 850032 (45 films)
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 ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Town Records
Town records in New York may include early births, marriages, deaths, divorces, local histories, selected military records, and town meeting minutes. Vital records from 1880/1882 are kept by town and village clerks, although some (Kent’s and Putnam Valley’s) are available in the County Historian’s Office. See:
- New York Towns, Villages, and Cities: A Guide to Genealogical Sources by Gordon L. Remington. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2002. FS Library Book 974.7 D27r; At various libraries (WorldCat); Alphabetical list including date founded, if a town history exists, church and cemetery sources, and if a Civil War register (TCR) exists.
Vital Records
- See New York Vital Records for more databases and information about obtaining vital records.
Vital records of birth, marriage or death were first recorded at the local level in the village clerk, town clerk, or city clerk’s ledger book.
Birth
- 1640-1962 New York Births and Christenings, 1640-1962 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1881-1942 New York, Birth Indexes Outside of New York City, 1881-1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1881-1942 New York, Birth Index, 1881-1942 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 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 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 Wayne County, New York Repositories. ([Ithaca, New York]: New York Historical Resources Center, Olin Library, Cornell University, 1982). At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 974.787 A3g. Includes index. Includes references to some family histories and genealogies.
County Historian
9 Pearl Street, Suite 3
Lyons, NY 14489
Phone: 315-946-5470
Email: [mailto:Historian@co.wayne.ny.us
Historian@co.wayne.ny.us]
Website
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
- Fayette New York FamilySearch Center
- Palmyra New York FamilySearch Center
- Pittsford New York FamilySearch Center
- Geneva Public Library - an affiliate library
- Walworth-Seely Public Library - an affiliate library
- Wood Library - an affiliate library
Libraries
- See New York Archives and Libraries for state-wide library facilities.
Lyons Public Library
122 Broad Street
Lyons, NY 14489
Phone: 315-946-9262
Email: lyonslibrary@owwl.org
Website
The Palmyra Kings Daughters Free Library
127 Cuyler Street
Palmyra, NY 14522
Phone: 315-597-5276
Website
- Local histories, old newspaper listings on marriages, cemetery listings, old maps, deaths, poorhouse records and more.
Clyde Savannah Public Library
204 Glasgow Street
Clyde, NY 14433
Phone: 315-923-7767
Website
- The Clyde library has historical photos.
Museums
Museum of Wayne County History
21 Butternut Street
Lyons, NY 14489
Phone: 315-946-4943
Email: info@waynehistory.org
Website
Heritage Square Museum
7147 Ontario Center Road
Ontario, NY 14519
Website
The Museums of Historic Palmyra
132 Market Street
Palmyra, NY 14522
Phone: 315-597-6981
Email: bjfhpinc@rochester.rr.com
Website
Societies
Listed below are societies in Wayne County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see New York Societies.
Wayne County Historical Society
21 Butternut Street
Lyons, NY 14489
Phone: 315-946-4943
Email: info@waynehistory.org
Website
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.
Lyons Heritage Society
P.O. Box 150
Lyons, NY 14489
Phone: 315-946-6316 or 315-946-4596
Website
See also Historic Palmyra
Websites
- Ancestry
- The Wayne County NYGenWeb
- USGenWeb Archives Project
- Wayne County ALHN AHGP
- Wayne County Links GenealogyLinks.net
- Wayne County NY Genealogy New York 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, "Wayne County, New York" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_County,_New_York, accessed 26 Nov 2018
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Wayne 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, "Wayne County, New York," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_County,_New_York, accessed 6 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.
- ↑ 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.