Tax Map Designation 12 Smith Street Port Chester New York

Guide to Westchester County, New York ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

This page describes sources of genealogical data about Westchester County, New York Genealogy families, including links to smaller localities at the bottom of this page. New York, United States Genealogy-related pages show useful statewide sources. United States Genealogy pages explain the terminology and contents of genealogical records.

Westchester County, New York
Map
Location in the state of New York, United States Genealogy
Location of New York in the U.S.
Facts
Founded	February 16, 1791
County Seat	White Plains
Courthouse

Address	111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd White Plains, NY 10601 Westchester County Website

Westchester County New York Historical Facts [edit | edit source]

Description [edit | edit source]

The County was named for the city of Chester, England. The County is located in the southeast area of the state. ^[1]

Westchester County, New York Record Dates [edit | edit source]

Known Beginning Dates for Major County Records ^[2]
Birth*	Marriage	Death*	Court	Land	Probate	Census
1880	1880	1880	1683	1667	1895	1663
*Statewide registration for births and deaths started in 1880. General compliance for births by 1915 and deaths by 1890.

Parent County [edit | edit source]

1683 Westchester County (with what later became the Bronx) was created as an original county from the North Riding of Yorkshire in the Province of New York, earlier part of New Netherland Genealogy.^[3] ^[4] ^[5]

Boundary Changes [edit | edit source]

For animated maps illustrating New York County boundary changes, "Rotating Formation New York County Boundary Maps" (1683-1915) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.

1664 Yorkshire became the first large government unit (not actually a county) organized by New York after the English took control from the Netherlands. It was divided into three ridings including North Riding (Westchester (including the Bronx), New York (Manhattan), Nassau and part of Queens counties).^[4] ^[6]
1683 New York ended Yorkshire, creating Westchester County including the Bronx from part of Yorkshire.^[4] </ref>

Record Loss [edit | edit source]

There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Populated Places [edit | edit source]

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:^[7]

Cities
Mount Vernon Peekskill	New Rochelle Rye	White Plains Yonkers
Towns
Bedford Cortlandt Eastchester Greenburgh Harrison Lewisboro Mamaroneck	Mount Kisco Mount Pleasant New Castle North Castle North Salem Ossining Pelham	Pound Ridge Rye Scarsdale Somers Yorktown
Villages
Ardsley Briarcliff Manor Bronxville Buchanan Croton-on-Hudson Dobbs Ferry Elmsford Harrison	Hastings-on-Hudson Irvington Larchmont Mamaroneck Mount Kisco Ossining Pelham Pelham Manor	Pleasantville Port Chester Rye Brook Scarsdale Sleepy Hollow (aka North Tarrytown) Tarrytown Tuckahoe
Hamlets
Amawaik Baldwin Place Banksville Cortlandt Manor	Croton Falls Granite Springs North Pelham North White Plains	Purchase South Salem Waccabuc West Harrison
Census-designated places
Armonk Bedford Bedford Hills Chappaqua Crompond Crugers Eastchester Edgemont (aka Greenville) Fairview	Goldens Bridge Hartsdale Hawthorne Heritage Hills Jefferson Valley Katonah Lincolndale Millwood Mohegan Lake	Montrose Peach Lake Scotts Corners Shenorock Shrub Oak Thornwood Valhalla Verplanck Yorktown Heights

Westchester County New York Genealogy Resources [edit | edit source]

Bible Records [edit | edit source]

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.

Biography [edit | edit source]

Reynolds, Cuyler. Genealogical and Family History of Southern New York and the Hudson River Valley: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Building of a Nation, Volume 3 (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1914) Download a copy in PDF format from Google Books.

Business Records and Commerce [edit | edit source]

Cemeteries [edit | edit source]

Cemetery records often reveal birth, death, relationship, military, and religious information.

Online Grave Transcripts	Published Grave Transcripts	County Cemetery Directories
Findagrave.com*	Family History Library*	Findagrave.com*
Interment.net*	WorldCat*	Tombstone Transcription Project*
Cemetery Site*		NYGenWeb Cemeteries*
New York Gravestones*		Billion Graves*
NYGenWeb Cemeteries*		Names in Stone*
Billion Graves*		FamilySearch Places
Names in Stone*
Linkpendium*
Ancestry*
*See the New York Cemeteries page for details about each site.

1800-1965 - New York, Cemetery Abstracts, 1800-1965 at FamilySearch — index
New York Family History research - contains lists of cemeteries in the New York City and surrounding areas (and lots of other research info and links).
The New York Family History Centers
The Political Graveyard: Westchester

In 2011, The Cemeteries of Westchester County by Patrick J. Raftery was published by The Westchester County Historical Society.

Census [edit | edit source]

Historical populations
Census	Pop.	%±
1790	23,978	—
1800	27,428	14.4%
1810	30,272	10.4%
1820	32,638	7.8%
1830	36,456	11.7%
1840	48,686	33.5%
1850	58,263	19.7%
1860	99,497	70.8%
1870	131,348	32.0%
1880	108,988	−17.0%
1890	146,772	34.7%
1900	184,257	25.5%
1910	283,055	53.6%
1920	344,436	21.7%
1930	520,947	51.2%
1940	573,558	10.1%
1950	625,816	9.1%
1960	808,891	29.3%
1970	894,404	10.6%
1980	866,599	−3.1%
1990	874,866	1.0%
2000	923,459	5.6%
2010	949,113	2.8%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".

For information and tips on using and accessing online census records, see New York Census.

1698 - Randolph, Howard S.F. "The Census of 1698 for Mamaroneck, Morrisania, and New Rochelle, Westchester County, New York," The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vol. 59, No. 2 (Apr. 1928):103-107. Digital version at New York Family History ($); FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 59.

1776-1784 - Sypher, F.J. "Rent Roll of Col. Frederick Philips's Estate (Philipse Manor) 1776-1784," The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vol. 108, No. 2 (Apr. 1977):74-78. Digital version at New York Family History ($); FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 108.

Federal [edit | edit source]

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.^[8]
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 FHL Films 1415128–42.

The 1890 Census is lost. For a substitute, see directories. However, one page does exist for a family in the town of Eastchester.

State [edit | edit source]

Source	1825	1835	1845	1855	1865	1875	1892	1905	1915	1925
Ancestry.com (subscription required)	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Yes	Yes
Family History Library Films	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Yes	Yes	Yes
FamilySearch Images	-	-	-	-	Yes	-	-	Yes	Yes	Yes
New York State Library Films	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Yes	Yes	Yes

Westchester County NYGenWeb's Census Page

Church Records [edit | edit source]

Church records are good substitutes for birth, marriage, and death information and are most often found on a local city/town or county level.Published and manuscript church records can be found at public, university, and private libraries.

For a brief general history of denominations and a guide to finding various New York denomination's records, see New York Church Records Wiki page.
List of Churches and Church Parishes

FamilySearch Places

Records of the Dutch Reformed Church at Cortlandt begin in 1741. Quaker marriages at Harrison begin in 1742.

1660-1889 - The Presbyterian Church Within the Field of the Presbytery of Westchester, Synod of New York, 1660-1889].
1879-1930 Central Methodist Episcopal Church, Pleasantville. FHL film 2031629 Item 3,8; 2031630 Items 2 - 3. Church record, 1879-1883 Members Marriages 1890-1929 Baptisms 1890-1925; 1907-1929 Minutes, Earnest Workers Society, ca. 1921-1930; Minutes of the Official Board, 1924-1930.
1891-1948 First Methodist Episcopal Church (Pleasantville, FHL film 2031629 Item 4. Pastors, membership records 1901-1942 Marriages 1942, 1902-1941 Baptisms 1902-1945. The film following contains several items with minutes and other business-type records from this church.
1724-1908 - Eardeley, William Applebie. Amawalk, Westchester County, New York, Friends Monthly Meeting Records: Births, Marriages and Deaths, 1724-1908. Brooklyn, N.Y., 1914. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
1752-1823 - "Records of the Church of Christ in Salem, Westchester Co., N.Y.: The First Church in the Town, With Some Places Adjacent," The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Membership Lists 1750s-early 1800s, Marriages 1752-1771: Vol. 31, No. 2 (Apr. 1900):82-89; Marriages 1771-1781: Vol. 31, No. 3 (Jul. 1900):174-177; Marriages 1781-1795: Vol. 31, No. 4 (Oct. 1900):238-242; Marriages 1795-1806, Baptisms 1752-1759: Vol. 32, No. 1 (Jan. 1901):12-16; Baptisms 1759-1769: Vol. 32, No. 2 (Apr. 1901):71-76; Baptisms 1769-1778: Vol. 32, No. 3 (Jul. 1901):164-168; Baptisms 1778-1789: Vol. 32, No. 4 (Oct. 1901):241-244; Baptisms 1789-1804, Deaths 1767-1776: Vol. 33, No. 1 (Jan. 1902):38-42; Deaths 1776-1804: Vol. 33, No. 2 (Apr. 1902):113-118; Dismissals and Membership Lists early 1800s: Vol. 33, No. 3 (Jul. 1902):161-164; Dismissals 1810s, Baptisms 1805-1809: Vol. 33, No. 4 (Oct. 1902):208-211; Baptisms 1809-1820, Marriages 1805: Vol. 34, No. 1 (Jan. 1903):50; Marriages 1805-1811: Vol. 34, No. 2 (Apr. 1903):89-93; Marriages 1811-1821: Vol. 34, No. 3 (Jul. 1903):221-223; Marriages 1820-1822, Deaths 1804-1812: Vol. 34, No. 4 (Oct. 1903):295-298; Deaths 1812-1823, Dismissals and Session Proceedings early 1800s: Vol. 35, No. 1 (Jan. 1904):20-24; Session Proceedings early 1800s: Vol. 35, No. 2 (Apr. 1904):136-137. Digital version at New York Family History ($); FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 31-35. Internet Archive has digitized Vol. 31, Vol. 32, Vol. 33, Vol. 34, and Vol. 35 - free.^[9]
Bolton, Robert. History of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the County of Westchester, from Its Foundation, 1693, to 1853. New York: Stanford and Swords, 1855. Digital version at Internet Archive - free.

Additional Church Records

Additional church records can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Westchester County, New York Genealogy Church Records in online catalogs like:

WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
FamilySearch Catalog (For instructions see FamilySearch Catalog Places Search).

Court Records [edit | edit source]

Ancestors may have also been involved in municipal, state, or federal court cases. See also New York Court Records and United States Court Records.

Many court records are available at the Westchester County Archives which is open to the public two days a week.

Crime and Criminals [edit | edit source]

Directories [edit | edit source]

Emigration and Immigration [edit | edit source]

1906-1942 - New York Book Indexes to Passenger Lists, 1906-1942 at FamilySearch — index and images

Ethnic, Political, or Religious Groups [edit | edit source]

Maps and Gazetteers [edit | edit source]

FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places

NY WESTCHESTER.PNG

Click a neighboring county
for more resources

French, J. H. Gazetteer of the State of New York. 2 vols. [Syracuse, NY: R. Pearsall Smith, c. 1860]

Genealogy [edit | edit source]

Rootsweb message board for Westchester County, New York Genealogy has many information threads about families that resided in that county. There is a search engine that allows you to search by surname and topic.

History [edit | edit source]

Baird, Charles W. Chronicle of a border town: history of Rye, Westchester county, New York, 1660-1870, including Harrison and the White Plains till 1788. (Anson D.F. Randolph and Company, 1871) Download a copy in PDF format from Google Books.
Bolton, Robert. A guide to New Rochelle and its vicinity: Pelham, West Chester, West Farms, Morrissania, Fordham, Yonkers, East Chester, White Plains, Mamaroneck, and Rye (Reprinted Harbor Hill Books, 1976)
Bolton, Robert. A History of the County of Westchester, from Its First Settlement to the Present Time. 2 vols. (Alexander S. Gould, 1848) Volume 1 Volume 2 Download a copy in PDF format from Google Books.
Bolton, Robert. History of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the county of Westchester, from its foundation, 1693, to 1853. (Stanford & Swords, 1855) Download a copy in PDF format from Google Books.
Dawson, Henry Barton. Westchester County, New York, during the American Revolution (s.n., 1886) Download a copy in PDF format from Google Books.
De Lancey, Edward Floyd Origin and history of manors in the province of New York and in the county of Westchester (s.n., 1886) Download a copy in PDF format from Google Books.
French, Alvah P. History of Westchester county, New York 5 volumes. (Lewis historical publishing company, inc., 1927)
Hall, Edward Hagaman. Philipse Manor Hall at Yonkers, NY: The Site, the Building and Its Occupants. (c. 1925) Download a copy in PDF format from Google Books.
Jones, Thomas. Editor: Edward F. De Lancey. History of New York During the Revolutionary War and of the Leading Events in the Other Colonies. Volume 1 (New York: The New York Historical Society, 1879). Download a copy in PDF format from Google Books.
Judd, Jacob and Philip Van Cortlandt. The Revolutionary War memoir and selected correspondence of Philip Van Cortlandt. (Tarrytown, NY: Sleepy Hollow Restoration) Download a copy in PDF format from Google Books.
Morris, Fordham. The borough town of Westchester: An address delivered By Fordham Morris on the 28th day of October, 1896, before the Westchester County Historical Society in the Court House at White Plains, N. Y. (White Plains: The Eastern State Journal, printer; 1895) Download a copy in PDF format from Google Books.
Scharf, J. Thomas History of Westchester county: New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York city, 2 vols. (L. E. Preston & co., 1886) Volume 1, Volume 2 Download a copy in PDF format from Google Books.
Shonnard, Frederic History of Westchester County, New York: from its earliest settlement to the year 1900, Part 1 (New York History Co., 1900) Download a copy in PDF format from Google Books.

Land and Property [edit | edit source]

Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.

See New York Land and Property for more details, especially about the papers generated in New York State by large speculative land companies.

Original land records in Westchester County, New York Genealogy began in [?dateyear?]. These records are housed at the [?repository?] in [?town?].

Online

Microforms

Books

1720s-1810s - Lustenberger, Anita A. "Unrecorded Deeds, Westchester County," The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vol. 139, No. 4 (Oct. 2008):283-284. Digital version at New York Family History ($); FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 139.
1778-1783 - Lustenberger, Anita A. "Tenants of Commissioners of Sequestration in Westchester County 1778-1783," The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vol. 123, No. 4 (Oct. 1992):203-206; Vol. 124, No. 1 (Jan. 1993):30-33. Digital version at New York Family History ($); FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 123-124.

Additional land records can sometimes be found using these catalogs:

WorldCat using the search phase: Westchester County, New York Genealogy deeds . (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog.)
FamilySearch Catalog using the search phrase: 1, New York - Land and Property . (For instructions see FamilySearch Catalog Places Search.)

1600s-1700s - Bristol, Theresa Hall. "Genealogical Gleanings from Land and Probate Records at White Plains and Rye, New York," The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vol. 49, No. 2 (Apr. 1918):170-176; Vol. 49, No. 3 (Jul. 1918):292-303; Vol. 49, No. 4 (Oct. 1918):381-389. Digital versions at Internet Archive - free; New York Family History ($); FHL Book 974.7 B2n. Includes map of early landowners.

1763 - Freeholders of Mamaroneck, 1763, courtesy: Olive Tree Genealogy

Prior to 1700 - Land Owners in Mamaroneck Prior to 1700, courtesy: Olive Tree Genealogy

Additional resources

Additional resources for Westchester County, New York Genealogy land records may be found in the Westchester County, New York Genealogy – Land Records topic page of the FamilySearch Catalog . Copies of records on FHL microfilm and microfiche may be available for viewing at various Family History Centers. Copies of books found in the FamilySearch Catalog may be found in WorldCat catalog and ordered from your local library through interlibrary loan. Explore how to search the FamilySearch Catalog and the WorldCat Online Catalog.

Maps [edit | edit source]

Maps of New York (1683-1915)

Migration [edit | edit source]

Early migration routes to and from Westchester County for European settlers included:^[10]

the Atlantic Ocean
Long Island Sound
Hudson River with connections to:

Mohawk River
Lake Champlain with connections to Richelieu River, Chambly Canal and St. Lawrence River
Lake Champlain Trail pre-historic
Champlain Canal 1823
Erie Canal 1825

King's Highway (or Boston Post Road, or New York-Philadelphia Post Road) 1664
Albany Post Road (or Queen's Road, or King's Road) 1669
Hudson River Path

Military [edit | edit source]

Revolutionary War [edit | edit source]

Westchester County men served in the 2nd New York Regiment.^[11]

Scott, Kenneth. "Westchester County, N.Y., Loyalists, 1777," National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 64 (1976):125-127. FHL Book 973 B2ng v. 64 (1976).

Civil War [edit | edit source]

1861-1865 - New York, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index

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 Family History Library (FHL Film 1993401-37). They are also indexed and available at Ancestry.com ($).

Available towns. Registers are available for: Bedford · Pound Ridge.

Regiments. Service men in Westchester County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Westchester County:^[12]

- 5th Regiment, New York Infantry

- 5th Regiment, New York Infantry (Duryee Zouaves), Companies F, G and H.

- 6th Regiment, New York Heavy Artillery, Companies A, B, D, E, F, I, K, L and M. (NYGenWeb)

- 7th Veteran Regiment, New York Infantry

- 9th Regiment, New York Infantry (New)

- 11th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Company A.

- 16th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Companies K, L and M.

- 17th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies A, B and F.

- 25th Regiment, New York Cavalry, Companies I, L and M.

- 27th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company A.

- 32nd Regiment, New York Infantry, Company H.

- 38th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies E and G.

- 48th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company B.

- 49th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company C.

- 59th Regiment, New York Infantry

- 65th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company B.

- 95th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies I and K.

- 135th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies A, B, C, D, E,F, H, I, K and M.

- 146th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company B.

- 164th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies G and I.

- 168th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company E.

- 176th Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies D and G.

- 186th Regiment, New York Infantry

- 189th Regiment, New York Infantry, Company K.

- 191st Regiment, New York Infantry, Companies A and B.

- 192nd Regiment, New York Infantry, Company K.

Naturalization and Citizenship [edit | edit source]

Indexes [edit | edit source]

1791-1980 - New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980 at FamilySearch — index and 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.

1808-1955 - Naturalization Records, 1808-1955 - Personal Name Index at Westchester County Archives - free.

1824-1941 - New York, Southern District Index to Petitions for Naturalization, 1828-1941 at FamilySearch Historical Records – free; Index.

1824-1946 - New York, Southern District, U.S District Court Naturalization Records, 1824-1946 at FamilySearch — index and images

1917-1950 - New York, Southern District Naturalization Index, 1917-1950 at FamilySearch Historical Records – free; Index.

The Family History Library has also acquired this comprehensive index for the years 1792 through 1906 on microfilm: FHL 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
U.S. District Court Southern Court Southern District, (New York, Bronx and also Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Richmond, Rockland, Sullivan and Westchester counties), 1824-1906^[13]

Newspapers [edit | edit source]

Old Fulton NY Post Cards has the following Westchester newspapers online for free:

Ardsley NY Tribune 1897
Dobbs Ferry NY Register 1896-1970
Dobbs Ferry NY Greenburgh Register 1884-1894
Dobbs Ferry NY Sentinel 1926 -1969
Hastings NY on the Hudson Enterprise 1980-1988
Hastings NY On the Hudson Echo 1899-1925
Mount Kisco NY Recorder 1877-1891
Mount Vernon NY News 1896-1900
Mount Vernon NY Chronicle 1875-1898
New Rochelle NY Pioneer 1882-1919
Ossining NY Reminder Weekly News 1970-1975
Yonkers NY Herald Statesman 1922-1985

The Journal News covers Westchester county today in addition to other smaller, local newspapers.

Obituaries [edit | edit source]

For current obituaries, see The Journal News.

Periodicals [edit | edit source]

The Westchester Historian, published by the Westchester County Historical Society.
Westchester Connections, published by the Westchester County Genealogical Society.

Poorhouses, Poor Law, etc. [edit | edit source]

Probate Records [edit | edit source]

Probate records including original estates and wills 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. See New York Probate Records for more information about using probate records.
Content: Probate Records may give the decedent's date of death, names of his or her spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, associates, relatives, and their place of residence.
Record types: Wills, bonds, petitions, accounts, inventories, administrations, orders, decrees, and distribution.

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. Alice Eichholz, Red Book: American State, County and Town Sources, 3rd ed. (Salt Lake City: Ancestry Pub., 2004), 479. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27rb 2004. Henry B. Hoff, "Navigating New York Probate," American Ancestors 12 (Fall 2011): 54.

These petitions are often found in the estate files and can be obtained from the county Surrogate Court.

The petitions for Westchester County, New York Genealogy are also available on microfilm at the Family History Library and its centers:

1775–1900 Listed as "Estate tax files, 1775–1900" FHL Film 597819 (690 films).

Online Probate Abstracts and Indexes

1600s-1700s - Bristol, Theresa Hall. "Genealogical Gleanings from Land and Probate Records at White Plains and Rye, New York," The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vol. 49, No. 2 (Apr. 1918):170-176; Vol. 49, No. 3 (Jul. 1918):292-303; Vol. 49, No. 4 (Oct. 1918):381-389. Digital versions at Internet Archive - free; New York Family History ($); FHL Book 974.7 B2n. Includes map of early landowners.
1629 - 1971 New York Probate Records 1629-1971 at FamilySearch.org — index and images
1659 - 1999 New York Wills and Probate Records 1659-1999 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
1664-1784 - FamilySearch Digital Library Early Wills of Westchester County, New York, from 1664 to 1784: A Careful Abstract of All Wills (Nearly 800) Recorded in New York Surrogate's Office and at White Plains, N.Y., from 1664-1784 Digital version at Ancestry ($).
1707 - "Westchester County Administrations 1707," The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vol. 124, No. 2 (Apr. 1993):90-91. Digital version at New York Family History ($); FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 124.
1775-1941 - Wills (Surrogate Records), 1775-1941 - Personal Name Index at Westchester County Archives - free. Updated web URL: Surrogate Records, 1775-1941 - Personal Name Index
1775-1909 - Inventories (Surrogate Records), 1774-1951 - Personal Name Index at Westchester County Archives - free. Updated link: Surrogate Records, 1775-1941 - Personal Name Index
1784-1830 - Old Wills of New Rochelle: Copies of Wills by Citizens of New Rochelle, N.Y., 1784-1830. New Rochelle, N.Y.: New Rochelle Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, 1991. Digital version at Ancestry ($); another Ancestry ($) version.
1787-1883 - SAMPUBCO Browsable index of testators of wills.
1775-1840 SAMPUBCO Browsable index of Estate Files.
1787-1835 - Abstracts of Wills, Administrations and Guardianships in NY State, 1787 - 1835
1787-1811 - Bristol, Theresa Hall. "Abstracts of Wills Recorded at White Plains, Westchester County, N.Y., Subsequent to May 1, 1787," The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, 1787-1790s (Liber A): Vol. 55, No. 2 (Apr. 1924):143-154; 1790-1800 (Liber B): Vol. 55, No. 3 (Jul. 1924):262-269; 1791-1799 (Liber B): Vol. 55, No. 4 (Oct. 1924):330-338; 1793-1799 (Liber B): Vol. 56 126; 1800-1802 (Liber C): Vol. 57, No. 1 (Jan. 1926):5-10; 1802-1803 (Liber C): Vol. 57, No. 2 (Apr. 1926):102-107; 1803-1805 (Liber F): Vol. 57, No. 3 (Jul. 1926):248-253; 1805-1807 (Liber F): Vol. 57, No. 4 (Oct. 1926):320-325; 1807-1808 (Liber F): Vol 58, No. 1 (Jan. 1927):40-44; 1808-1811 (Liber E): Vol. 58, No. 2 (Apr. 1927):143-149; 1812 (Liber E): Vol. 58, No. 3 (Jul. 1927):202-208; 1812-1813 (Liber F), 1808-1809 (Liber G): Vol. 58, No. 4 (Oct. 1927):381-388; 1809-1811 (Liber G): Vol. 60, No. 2 (Apr. 1929):149-155. Digital version at New York Family History ($); FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 55-60.
1787-1812 - Bristol, Theresa Hall. "Abstracts of Letters of Administration Recorded at White Plains, Westchester County, N.Y.," The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, 1787-1800 (Liber A): Vol. 59, No. 1 (Jan. 1928):26-32; 1801-1812 (Liber B): Vol. 59, No. 2 (Apr. 1928):130-136. Digital version at New York Family History ($); FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 59.
1866 - 1923 New York Kings County Estate Files 1866-1923 at FamilySearch.org — index and images

Probate Records on Microfilm

1775-1900 – Estate Tax Files (includes Petitions) FHL Film 597819 (690 films)
1777-1905 – Letters of Administration; 1787-1905 – Wills; 1802-1901 – Letters of Guardianship; 1813-1983 – Index to Wills FHL film 1562283 (211 films)

Additional Probate Indexes and Abstracts

Additional probate indexes or abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Westchester County, New York Genealogy probate wills in online catalogs like:

WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
FamilySearch Catalog (For instructions see FamilySearch Catalog Places Search).

Repositories [edit | edit source]

Cornell University, Guide to Historical Resources in Westchester County, New York Repositories. ([Ithaca, New York]: New York Historical Resources Center, Olin Library, Cornell University, 1991). ExLibris digital copy - free; At various libraries; FHL Book 974.7277 A3w Includes index. Includes references to some family histories and genealogies.

Libraries, Archives, and Museums [edit | edit source]

Westchester County Historical Society Library^[14] 2199 Saw Mill River Road Elmsford, NY 10523 Phone: 914.592.4323 Fax: 914.231.4338 E-mail: info@westchesterhistory.com	Genealogy resources: cemetery listings, church records, censuses, newspapers, and more. The Historical Society's library is located in the County Archives. The Historical Society, along with the County Archives, maintains Westchester's Virtual Archives
Westchester County Archives^[15] 2199 Saw Mill River Road Elmsford, NY 10523 Phone: 914.231.1500 Fax: 914.231.1510	Established in 1985, the County Archives collects records created by the county government including deeds, census rolls, estate records, marriages certificates, naturalization records, Surrogate Court records, and Wills. The County Archives, along with the County Historical Society, maintains Westchester's Virtual Archives
Westchester Library System^[16] Mount Vernon Public Library Central Library of Westchester 28 South First Avenue Mount Vernon, NY Phone: 914.668.1840	The Westchester Library System consists of more than forty libraries throughout Westchester County. The Mount Vernon Library (central library) has maps, newspapers, church and synagogue files, photographs, school yearbooks, city directories, and more. The Mount Vernon Library is also a partial depository for U.S. Federal documents.

County Historian's Office [edit | edit source]

Westchester County Historian
2199 Saw Mill River Road
Elmsford, NY 10523
Phone: 914–592-4323
Email: info@westchesterhistory.com

In 2006, Westchester County Historical Society (WCHS) was appointed County Historian by the Westchester County Board of Legislators.

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.

Courthouses [edit | edit source]

The Westchester County Clerk's office has probate, divorce and court records. The County Archives has probate, land and naturalization records as well as military discharge records and maps. For further information about where the records for Westchester County are held, see the Westchester County Courthouses page.

Family History Centers [edit | edit source]

Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries

Family History 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 family history center.

Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries

Westchester New York Family History Center
Yorktown New York Family History Center

School Records [edit | edit source]

Lincolndale. Lincoln High School. Residents' identification cards, ca. 1880-1938

Societies [edit | edit source]

[edit | edit source]

Westchester County Historical Society - Facebook.
New York Genealogy Research Community (FamilySearch on Facebook)
Westchester Mailing List at Rootsweb
Westchester Message Board at Rootsweb

Taxation [edit | edit source]

1699–1734 Tax assesment rolls New York Public Library; Family History Library's Film 484033. These rolls are a great finding aid to locate someone that was a city resident and finding the ward they belonged to; includes renters and owners. There is a break in the years from 1710 to 1720. The rolls from 1721 to 1734 include Queens, Richmond, and Westchester as well as New York City. ^[19]

Town Records [edit source]

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. For further details, try the links to individual town Wiki pages found in Places. See also:

Gordon L. Remington, New York Towns, Villages, and Cities: A Guide to Genealogical Sources (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2002). NEHGS online edition; At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 974.7 D27r. Alphabetical list including date founded, if a town history exists, church and cemetery sources, and if a Civil War register (TCR) exists.
Journal of the Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors of Putnam County for the Year 1904 (New York: Martin B. Brown, 1905)
Journal of the Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors of Putnam County for the Year 1922 (Poughkeepsie: Lansing Broas, 1923)
List of Town Clerks, Record Managers and Historical Societies

The County Archives has the following records:

031 Petitions, Licenses, and recognizance to sell liquor (Tavern licenses) 1813-1878
139 Monthly Reports of Hunting and fishing licenses, 1908-1938
165 Certificates of Qualifications as Examiner in Lunacy, 1883-1947

Vital Records [edit | edit source]

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. If you know where a birth, marriage or death took place, a copy of the certificate or record may be obtained by writing to the town, village or city clerk. See also How to order New York Vital Records or order electronically online.

See the heading Places on this wiki page for links to local community wiki pages and their available records. See New York Vital Records for a discussion about beginning dates and availability of vital records in New York.

Use substitute records for birth, marriage, and death information. These substitute records include Bible Records, Cemeteries, Church Records, Newspapers, and Probate Records.

Birth [edit | edit source]

Early births were recorded on the town level and the years vary by town. (List of towns) The New York State Department of Health (state level) began recording births in 1881. Births were not recorded on the county level.

1881-1942 Reclaim the Records: New York State Birth Index at Archive.org - images of index

Birth Substitutes

1640–1962 New York Births and Christenings, 1640-1962 at FamilySearch Historical Records – free; Index.

See Town Clerks' Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War in the Civil War section of Military for birth information.

Marriage [edit | edit source]

Early marriages were sometimes recorded on the town level and the years vary by town. (List of towns) In 1880, town clerks were to record the marriage and a copy was sent to the New York State Department of Health (state level). Town clerks continue to record marriages. Marriages were recorded by the Westchester County clerk starting in 1908 and go until 1935.

1639-1962 - New York, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $

1664–1784 New York. Secretary of State, Names of Persons for Whom Marriage Licenses Were Issued By the Secretary of the Province of New York, Previous to 1784 (Albany, New York: Weed, Parsons and Co., 1860). At Cornell University digital library-free; Internet Archive - free; Ancestry edition($); At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Film 514675 Item 1 or 930131 Item 2. Marriage bonds issued in the State of New York prior to 1784, and the earliest record dating 1664.

1847–1848 and 1908–1936 New York, County Marriages, 1847-1848; 1908-1936 at FamilySearch — index and images

1867-1873 Farrell, Charles. "Marriages by a Justice of the Peace in Morrisania, 1867-1873," The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vol. 129, No. 3 (Jul. 1998):189-190. Digital version at New York Family History ($); FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 129.

1881-1964 Reclaim the Records: New York State Marriage Index at Archive.org - images of index

1908–1935 New York, County Marriages 1908–1935 at FamilySearch Historical Records – free; FHL Film 1287201(first of 44 films).

1908-1935 Marriage Records, 1908-1935 - Personal Name Index at Westchester County Archives - free.

Marriage Substitutes

1686-1980 New York Marriages, 1686–1890 at FamilySearch Historical Records – free; Index. Index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records.

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."

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.

Divorce [edit | edit source]

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.

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.

Death [edit | edit source]

Early deaths were recorded on the town level and the years vary by town. (List of towns) The New York State Department of Health (state level) began recording deaths in 1881. Deaths were not recorded on the county level.

Death Indexes

1824-1962 - New York, Church and Civil Deaths, 1824-1962 at FamilySearch — index
1880-1956 - New York, State Death Index, 1880-1956 at FamilySearch — index and images
1880-1956 - New York, Death Index, 1880-1956 at Ancestry — ($), index only
1880-1956 - Reclaim the Records: New York State Death Index at Archive.org - images of index
1957-1963 - New York State Health Department, Genealogical Research Death Index, 1957-1963 at FamilySearch — Index only

Death Substitutes

1795–1952 New York Deaths and Burials, 1795-1952 at FamilySearch Historical Records – free; Index. The entries are primarily from the IGI along with some entries derived from compiled and original records such as Family Records, Church Records, and Civil Registration. There may be entries that cite a specific source.

1801–1890 Barber Collection- Newspaper Deaths at Ancestry– ($); Index. Information extracted from the "Brooklyn Eagle" and the "New York Evening Post."

1849-50, 1859-60, 1869-70, 1879-80 See Mortality Schedule information in the Federal Census section of Census for death information.

1853-1881 Haacker, Frederick C. New Rochelle, New York Deaths, 1853-1881: Copied from the New Rochelle Press Almanacs, 1879-1882, and Records of Deaths in New Rochelle from Account Books of Cornelius Seacord, Coffin Maker. 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.

See Town Clerks' Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War in the Civil War section of Military for death information.

Additional Resources

Additional resources for Westchester County births, marriages and deaths may be found in the New York, Westchester– Vital Records topic page of the FamilySearch Catalog . Copies of books found in the FamilySearch Catalog may be found in WorldCat catalog and ordered from your local library through interlibrary loan. Explore how to search the FamilySearch Catalog and the WorldCat Online Catalog.

Voting Registers [edit | edit source]

Westchester County New York Genealogy Websites [edit | edit source]

Westchester County, NY History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
New York Genealogy Network Community on Google+
New York Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
Westchester County NYGenWeb site
Westchester County Resources in The NYG&B Record
Mackenzie's Families of Philipsburgh
Westchester County NY Genealogy

Westchester County New York Places [edit | edit source]

v•d•e Municipalities and communities of Westchester County, New York

County seat: White Plains

Cities	Mount Vernon · New Rochelle · Peekskill · Rye · White Plains · Yonkers

Towns	Bedford · Cortlandt · Eastchester · Greenburgh · Harrison · Lewisboro · Mamaroneck · Mount Kisco · Mount Pleasant · New Castle · North Castle · North Salem · Ossining · Pelham · Pound Ridge · Rye · Scarsdale · Somers · Yorktown

Villages	Ardsley · Briarcliff Manor · Bronxville · Buchanan · Croton-on-Hudson · Dobbs Ferry · Elmsford · Harrison · Hastings-on-Hudson · Irvington · Larchmont · Mamaroneck · Mount Kisco · Ossining · Pelham · Pelham Manor · Pleasantville · Port Chester · Rye Brook · Scarsdale · Sleepy Hollow · Tarrytown · Tuckahoe

Communities	Armonk · Banksville · Bedford Corners · Bedford Hills · Chappaqua · Cortlandt Manor · Crompond · Crugers · Fairview · Golden's Bridge · Granite Springs · Greenville · Hartsdale · Hawthorne · Heritage Hills · Jefferson Valley · Katonah · Lake Mohegan · Lincolndale · Millwood · Montrose · Peach Lake · Pocantico Hills · Purchase · Scotts Corners · Shenorock · Shrub Oak · South Salem · Thornwood · Valhalla · Verplanck · Waccabuc · Yorktown Heights

Westchester County New York Genealogy References [edit | edit source]

↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Westchester, New York" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westchester_County,_New_York accessed 26 Nov 2018
↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Westchester County, New York. Page 488-493 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL 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); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 ^4.2 Kathryn Ford Thorne, New York Atlas of Historical County Boundaries (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1993), 207-209. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 974.7 E7t.
↑ Wikipedia contributors, "York Shire (Province of New York)" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_Shire_(Province_of_New_York) (accessed 7 January 2012).
↑ Wikipedia contributors, "York Shire (Province of New York)" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_Shire_(Province_of_New_York) (accessed 16 December 2011).
↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Westchester County, New York," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_in_Westchester_County, accessed 4 March 2020.
↑ Arlene Eakle, and Johni Cerni, The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1984), 103. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27ts.
↑ WeRelate contributors, "Source:New York Genealogical and Biographical Record (New York Genealogical and Biographical Society)," in WeRelate, http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Source:New_York_Genealogical_and_Biographical_Record_%28New_York_Genealogical_and_Biographical_Society%29, accessed 10 February 2012.
↑ Handybook, 847-61.
↑ "2nd New York Regiment," Valley Forge Legacy, http://valleyforgemusterroll.org/regiments/ny2.asp, accessed 31 May 2012.
↑ 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); FHL Film 1486494-96; Fiche 6083559-64; Book 974.7 M2p.
↑ FamilySearch Catalog, FamilySearch, accessed 6 December 2011, http://www.familysearch.org.
↑ Westchester County Historical Society at http://www.westchesterhistory.com/index.php/home/location (accessed 15 December 2011).
↑ Westchester County Archives at http://archives.westchestergov.com/ (accessed 15 December 2011).
↑ Westchester Library System at http://www.westchesterlibraries.org/ (accessed 15 December 2011).
↑ Westchester County Historical Society at http://www.westchesterhistory.com/index.php/home/location (accessed 15 December 2011).
↑ Westchester County Genealogical Society at http://sites.rootsweb.com/~nywcgs/ (accessed 26 December 2018).
↑ Harry Macy Jr., "New York City Assessment Rolls 1699-1734",The NYGB Newsletter 3(Fall 1996): 26. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 974.71 D25n v.7 Updated version at the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society on the Society's Website. This is listed under "Research Aid Articles".

v•d•e Links to New York-related articles

Topics	Search Strategies · Record Finder · Introduction · Archives and Libraries · Bible Records · Biography · Cemeteries · Census · Church Records · Court Records · Directories · Emigration and Immigration · Ethnic, Political, or Religious Groups · Gazetteers · Genealogy · History · Land and Property · Law and Legislation · Maps · Military Records · Names, Personal · Naturalization and Citizenship · Newspapers · Occupations · Online Records · Orphans and Orphanages · Periodicals · Probate Records · Societies · Taxation · Town Records · Vital Records · Voting Registers · For Further Reading

Counties and City	Albany · Allegany · Bronx · Broome · Cattaraugus · Cayuga · Chautauqua · Chemung · Chenango · Clinton · Columbia · Cortland · Delaware · Dutchess · Erie · Essex · Franklin · Fulton · Genesee · Greene · Hamilton · Herkimer · Jefferson · Kings (Brooklyn) · Lewis · Livingston · Madison · Monroe · Montgomery · Nassau · New York (Manhattan) · Niagara · Oneida · Onondaga · Ontario · Orange · Orleans · Oswego · Otsego · Putnam · Queens · Rensselaer · Richmond (Staten Island) · Rockland · Saint Lawrence · Saratoga · Schenectady · Schoharie · Schuyler · Seneca · Steuben · Suffolk · Sullivan · Tioga · Tompkins · Ulster · Warren · Washington · Wayne · Westchester · Wyoming · Yates · New York City Research

Extinct Co.	Charlotte · Cornwall · Cumberland · Dominion of New England Genealogy · Dukes · Gloucester · Tryon · Yorkshire · New Netherland Genealogy

Major Repositories	Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute · Albany Institute of History and Art · Bronx County Historical Society · Brooklyn Historical Society · Buffalo and Erie County Public Library · Children's Aid Society · Cornell University Library · Historic Hudson Valley Library · Holland Society of New York · Huguenot Society of America · Leo Baeck Institute · Montgomery County Department of History and Archives · National Archives at New York City · New England Historic Genealogical Society (Boston MA) · New York City Department of Records · New York City Municipal Reference and Research Center · New York Foundling Hospital · New York Genealogical and Biographical Society · New-York Historical Society · New York Public Library · New York State Archives · New York State Council of Genealogical Organizations · New York State Department of Health · New York State Historical Association · New York State Library · Onondaga Historical Association · Queens Historical Society · Stadsarchief Amsterdam (Netherlands) · SUNY Fredonia Reed Library · Staten Island Historical Society · Steele Memorial Library · Western Reserve Historical Society (Cleveland, OH)

Migration Routes	Ellis Island, Castle Garden, etc. · Atlantic Coast Ports · Lake Champlain · Lake Erie · Lake Ontario · Long Island Sound · Hudson River · Mohawk River · St. Lawrence River · Chambly Canal · Champlain Canal · Delaware and Raritan Canal · Erie Canal · Albany Post Road · Catskill Turnpike · Forbidden Path · Great Genesee Road · Great Shamokin Path · Great Trail · Greenwood Road · Hudson River Path · King's Highway · Boston Post Road · Lake Champlain Trail · Lake Shore Path · Lake Trail · Lehigh and Lackawanna Paths · Minsi Path · Mohawk or Iroquois Trail · New York Turnpikes · Old Connecticut Path · Ulster and Delaware Turnpike

Tax Map Designation 12 Smith Street Port Chester New York

Source: https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Westchester_County,_New_York_Genealogy