If you live in New York, genealogy records can provide you with a great deal of information if you know where to find information. Individuals who wish to learn their family’s history often create these records. If you use the right resources, you will learn details about families including information about where they lived, when they moved into the state and even who your ancestors were in their day to day life. It can be an amazing story if you piece together the information properly. Where should you start?
 

As you consider the options to help you to build your New York genealogy records, consider what the state's archives and records can help you with. You may wish to tap into several resources to find information including birth records, death records and even marriage and divorce records.
 

If you need records from most of New York State, except for the areas of New York City, Yonkers, Buffalo and Albany, you will need to contact the following address for all birth, death and marriage records. This resource has records from this location since 1881:
 

New York State Department of Health

Vital Records Section

Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza

Albany, New York 12237
 

If you need any birth records from 1910 or any death records from 1949 or onward for those living in New York City, you will need to contact the New York City Department of Health's Division of Vital Records. If you need records from any other region or timeframe, you will need to contact the local county offices for these records. If the records are from the early 1800's or before, the only place they are kept are through counties and towns. Those resources can provide you with some of the best actual copies of birth certificates and death certificates as well.

Those that do not find the necessary documents through these resources can still create New York genealogy records. However, you will just need to use other resources to find them.

One of the best resources for finding old data are the cemeteries in the area. Some of the counties have old cemeteries that can help you to piece together a family tree. Here are some places to look.

·        In Albany County, check out the Rural Cemetery records on file with the county offices.

·        In Chautauqua County, the Smith Cemetery provides a great deal of information you can use.

·        In Herkimer County, the Otsquak, Cemetery can provide information.

·        In Steuben County, the West Hill Cemetery provides a great deal of information.

If your resources are still not working and you are looking for more information for New York genealogy records, check the state's older churches. Many people settled in New York because of their strong religious heritage and as such, many old churches that date back hundreds of years containing records. Some have excellent resources for digging up family records. The census and military records within the state can also help you in many cases.

• New York Genealogy