Western New York State Genealogy Research FAQ
Information about City and County Directories
Qualifications
I have seven years experience conducting research in Western New York
Counties, specializing in Niagara, Erie, Orleans and Genesee Counties. I
hold a Master's Degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in
1986 and I studied history and genealogy for 30 years; it's one of my
passions. In addition, I have fifteen years of computer experience using
various general and genealogical programs. I have taught history at a local
college.
Services
General records searching to include:
- Federal and New York State Census data,
- Local city and county directories,
- Cemeteries, cemetery listings, and obituaries,
- Historical records, maps, newspapers, and library research,
- Surrogate Court and land records.
Will Travel to the following Counties:
- Allegany County seat, Belmont, NY, any townships as needed. Became a county in 1806 from Genesee Co.
- Cattaraugus County seat, Little Valley, NY any townships as needed. Became a county in 1808 from Genesee.
- Chautauqua County seat, Mayville, NY any townships as needed. Became a county in 1808 from Genesee.
- Erie County seat, Buffalo, NY any townships as needed. Became a county in 1821 from Niagara.
- Genesee County seat, Batavia, NY any townships as needed. Became a county in 1802 from Ontario.
- Monroe County seat, Rochester, NY any townships as needed. Became a county in 1821 from Genesee, Ontario.
- Niagara County seat, Lockport any townships as needed. Became a county in 1808 from Genesee.
- Orleans County seat, Albion, NY any townships as needed. Became a county in 1824 from Genesee.
- Wayne County seat, Lyons, NY any townships as needed. Became a county in 1823 from Ontario, Seneca.
- Wyoming County seat, Warsaw, NY any townships as needed. Became a county in 1841 from Genesee.
Regional Research Information Available:
- I always throw out the net by starting off with an initial census index survey: Colonial and U.S. from pre-1790 through to 1860.
- Census Records: Colonial and U.S. from 1790-1920, NYS Census 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925.
- Vital records: In Western NY began around the turn of the century (1900) but some have them back to the 1880's.
- Surrogate files - available in County Courthouse
- Land records - available in County Courthouse
- Newspapers: depends on county, most exist as early as the 1840's and 1850's
- Period maps - depends on the county but many have maps beginning from the 1850's and 1860's
- Directories: depends on county, most exist as early as the 1840's and 1850's. Most larger villages and cities have these available. This is an excellent way to track families.
- Church Records: time periods depend on denomination and county.
What's Available at the County Historian's Office, Historical Societies:
- Bio Files: files created by surname
- Marriage Card files
- Vital records files: usually newspaper obituary citations and cemetery listings
- NYS Census Records, a valuable source of birth information
- Cemetery records
Fees
As of June 1, 2002, there is an eighty five dollar retainer ($85.00 U.S.)
which covers up to the first three hours of research. This fee must be paid
in advance. Additional research rate of $25.00/hr but only after further
consultation regarding projects. Travel, when necessary, rated at
$0.35/mile. Costs for copying documents and photographing locations can be
done on request. Prices contingent on scope of the project. Please contact
me for more details.
NOTE: Please be advised that the cost of doing business in Erie County is
higher than the surrounding area. For Erie County the retainer is one
hundred dollars ($100.00 U.S.), which will cover the first three hours of
research plus a ten dollar fee ($10) to cover parking costs. Unfortunately,
there are few places one can park in Buffalo that doesn't come with a hefty
parking fee; they range from four to eight dollars, depending on location.
In addition, the Erie County Historical Society charges a four dollar
admission price to access their records. The records of Erie County are
spread out over a larger travel area, some in the City Hall, some in the
Erie County Courthouse while others are held in the Buffalo and Erie County
Library Historical Collections and still others are in the Erie County
Historical Society. Therefore, Erie County research can be more time
consuming.
Please
for additional information.
The Niagara County GenWeb Project
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