Getting Started in Upstate New York Research
The State of New York holds a wide variety of records and resources for family historians, especially for those researching Upstate New York (the land north and northwest of New York City). From 17th-century records of New Netherland to the 1925 New York State Census, there are countless resources available online and at brick-and-mortar libraries and archives.
American Ancestors, for example, provides several resources both online and at the Brim-DeForest Library in Boston. This Getting Started in Upstate New York Research guide provides tips on identifying where in Upstate New York your ancestor resided and migrated from, how to search church and civil records, and how to utilize New York State census records in your family history research.
American Ancestors is America’s founding genealogical organization and the most respected name in family history. Established in 1845, We are the nation’s leading comprehensive resource for family history research and the largest Society of its kind in the world. We provide expert family history services through our staff, original scholarship, data-rich website, educational opportunities, and research center to help family historians of all levels explore their past and understand their families’ unique place in history.
We are a member-based nonprofit corporation dedicated to advancing the study of family history in America and beyond, by educating, inspiring, and connecting people through our scholarship, collections, and expertise.