Useful Links

Assorted Useful Links


Cemetery Databases


Census

  • NEW: 1950 US Census- not fully indexed by name; see webpage for research tips.
  • Census of Agriculture - explore agricultural statistics through census reports by state, county, and even town.
  • Census Reporter - current demographic data from the census.
  • FamilySearch.org- many resources, including original images of all census schedules 1790-1940, including:
    • NYS census 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892
    • 1890 US Census of Veterans and Widows of the Civil War
    • 1915 and 1925 NYS schedule transcriptions (see below to access these in full via through Ancestry.com New York)
  • New York State Archives- a great website with many diverse resources for researchers. A highlight is the ability to search selected NY records for free on Ancestry.com:
    1. Under Quick Links, find Ancestry.com New York
    2. Enter a New York State zip code (any one will work)
    3. Search by name or browse specific database
    4. You will be prompted to make a free account with Ancestry.com for the purposes of viewing these record collections, but you do not have to pay Ancestry or get a free trial. If you are led to a paywall page, begin your search again and be careful not to click links that take you away from the New York records.


Church Records

  • If a religious organization (other than Catholic) is still extant, contact the church for any historical records.
  • Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester- records are kept at the parish level where possible, but some Catholic church records from Livingston County may archived at the Diocese. Contact the archivist for more information.

  • Rochester Churches Indexing Project - church records on microfilm with the LDS Church are indexed here, mainly from churches covered by the Rochester Catholic Diocese but including some Protestant denominations as well. Over 190,000 records and counting have been indexed here.
  • American Baptist Historical Society - Some records from Livingston County are held at Mercer University, Atlanta, GA; Baptist records may not be extremely helpful for genealogists, but they may be worth checking out. See the website for more information.


In general, researchers may apply to the Livingston County Clerk for court records, but some are available on Family Search. Click on the camera icon on each page to browse indexes and minutes:


Immigration


Livingston County Highlights

Livingston County Towns

Avon

Conesus

North Dansville

Nunda

 Mt. Morris

Springwater

York

  • Root, Mary. History of Town of York, 1940.

 

Livingston County: Early Records

  • Allegany County Historian - Nunda and Portage were part of Allegany County until 1846, and Ossian was part of Allegany County until 1857 when it was annexed to Livingston County. Contact this historian if you’re seeking early records.
  • Genesee County Historian - before Livingston County was formed in 1821, the towns of Caledonia, Leicester, Mt. Morris, and York were part of Genesee County. When searching early records, it may be useful to contact this historian.
  • Ontario County Records and Archives Center - a number of towns (Avon, Conesus, Geneseo, Groveland, Lima, Livonia, Sparta, and Springwater) were part of Ontario County until Livingston County was formed in 1821. Some early records are kept by Ontario County, including early guardianships.

  

Maps


Military

  • New York State Military Museum and Veteran’s Research Center - find military rosters from the Adjutant General’s Report, information on flags and forts, and much more.
  • National Archives - a database packed with military-related information as well as many other resources. Full military records may be available by submitted request. 
  • New York State Archives- many resources including service records from NY:
    1. Under Quick Links, find Ancestry.com New York
    2. Enter a New York State zip code (any one will work)
    3. You will be prompted to make a free account / sign in with Ancestry.com
    4. Under "Included Data Collections," click on a records series to browse.
  • War of 1812 pensioners:
    • 1841 list, giving names, ages, and residences
    • 1883 list, giving cause of disability or relationship to pensioner

Newspapers


New York State & National Databases

  • NEW: Cobblestone Info Base - check out the Cobblestone Museum's database for details on cobblestone structures, past and present, in New York and across the world.
  • FamilySearch.org - tons of resources and free-access content always being added. Some highlights include: 
    • Passport Applications and passenger lists
    • County marriages, 1847-1848 and 1908-1936
    • Births and christenings
    • Land records
    • Original images of all census schedules 1790-1940
  • Library of Congress- a massive national database of finding aids and scanned documents.

  • New York State Archives- many diverse resources for researchers. A highlight is the ability to search selected NY records for free on Ancestry.com: 
    1. Under Quick Links, find Ancestry.com New York
    2. Enter a New York State zip code (any one will work)
    3. Search by name or browse specific database
    4. You will be prompted to make a free account with Ancestry.com for the purposes of viewing these record collections, but you do not have to pay Ancestry or get a free trial. If you are led to a paywall page, begin your search again and be careful not to click links that take you away from the New York records.
  • New York State Library - another database of material on every topic of New York State history, especially state governmental information and documentation.

 

Seneca History

  • American Philosophical Society- browse their guide for scholarly work and finding aids related to indigenous cultures all over the Americas, including Seneca.
  • Ganondagan State Historic Site - located on the original site of a 17th-century Seneca town, the Seneca Art and Culture Center and the reproduction bark longhouse help interpret traditional Seneca life for visitors. Online resources are also available.
  • Iroquois Genealogy Society - an incredible collection of census records, maps, images, church records, and Haudenosaunee stories.
  • Seneca-Iroquois National Museum - visit the galleries and Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center in Salamanca, NY, one of the capitals of the Seneca Nation of Indians, and explore their extensive exhibits documenting Haudenosaunee history.


Vital Records


Updated May 2023