New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer

Winner of the 2016 National Genealogical Society Award for Excellence: Genealogical Methods and Sources

This one-of-a-kind textbook is the definitive resource for New York State genealogists and family history researchers. More than 100 experts have reviewed and contributed to this work, which includes authoritative guidance on every key topic about New York family history.

This 869-page guide was revised and updated in 2017 with two volumes.

Part One contains chapters and sections on:

Each of the 21 chapters includes:

• Each major record group, including a comprehensive review of New York State’s extremely complicated vital records system.
• Resource guidance for researching 16 major ethnic and 12 major religious groups that have lived in New York.
• National and statewide repositories and resources as well as New York State and City guides.
• Timelines of key events in New York history 1609–1945 that impact genealogical research.

Table of Contents, Part One

Part Two encompasses:

• Guides, maps, and gazetteers for all 62 New York counties.
• New York City-wide resources; individual borough guides for the Bronx, Brookly, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island; and resources for Long Island.
• A place-name index for more than 11,000 communities that assists researchers in finding a locale.

Table of Contents, Part Two

What Researchers Are Saying

“For centuries, New York has been the New World’s gateway, the first address of families searching for better lives for themselves and their descendants. Now, thanks to the astonishing efforts of the NYG&B, those descendants have a single port of entry for researching the past. This volume is certain to become the standard for the nation and an indispensable resource for anyone hoping to retrace ancestral journeys in—and beyond—the Empire State.” 
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. • Alphonse Fletcher University Professor, Harvard University

“For researchers at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and elsewhere, New York State research ranks in the top three most difficult areas of genealogical research in the United States. This new research guide adds a long overdue research aid to the researcher’s tool kit. Every genealogical researcher should consult this new book not only for New York research, but for clues to similar methodologies and records in their area of research. Surely this book will open up new trails of research.” 
David E. Rencher • Chief Genealogical Officer, FamilySearch

“The unrivaled achievement of this volume is its authoritative and accessible coverage of the vast, complex, and challenging domain of genealogical research. The NYG&B – long recognized as a champion of family history -- has provided an indispensable, must-have resource for libraries, historical societies, and their many users.” 
Ann Thornton •  Former Andrew W. Mellon Director, The New York Public Library