A Comprehensive Overview of the Holdings of the New York State Archives
Scholars, biographers, and family historians have not yet tapped the entirety of NYSA’s vast, unique holdings. Only a fraction of the series available at one of New York’s most valuable and treasured repositories have been digitized, making this reference book an essential resource for anyone tracing New York ancestors.
Inside the Guide
This robust reference book has more than 500 pages of carefully curated information for researchers, including an introduction and comprehensive overview of NYSA’s holdings; a spotlight section; 21 detailed chapters; 2 appendices (detailing record series accessible on major genealogical websites as related to NYSA record series); and an index. See the full Table of Contents. See sample pages on canal, court, and legislative records.
The introduction provides an essential overview and a historical background of records held by NYSA. It reviews how to access NYSA’s materials, specifically online finding aids; digitized records in NYSA’s digital collections and on Ancestry.com and FamilySearch; restrictions to records; general procedures; and other important details.
Each of the 21 chapters includes:
- The types of records available and the department/agency responsible for creating the records, as applicable.
- Details on specific records: a table or listing of selected NYSA records for the subject with the creator, series number, date ranges, index and digitization information, and access notes (including quantities of material, format for access, and access restrictions).
- Spotlights of the materials that can be found within the series.
- Special focus sections that delve deeper into a specific type of record.
Webinar with author Jane E. Wilcox on what the book covers and how to use in research
Pricing
- Print edition only: General Public, $129.95; NYG&B Members, $104.95
- Print and Digital bundle: General Public, $159.95; NYG&B Members, $134.95
Note: the digital PDF is only available as part of the bundle at this time. We will send you a link to download your digital PDF shortly.
What Researchers Are Saying
“The New York State Archives is an unparalleled resource...Jane Wilcox has provided an inestimable service with her Guide, offering a vital helping hand to anyone delving into the state’s history.”
Russell Shorto, scholar and author of The Island at the Center of the World
“For those of us with New York ancestors, this new guide is the essential gateway to records that can reconstruct our ancestors’ lives. Both experienced researchers and those new to genealogy can benefit from the information in the guide. The cross references and keywords for use with online finding aids will save us hours of research time.”
Annette Burke Lyttle, Certified Genealogist®
“Jane Wilcox has composed a masterful genealogical research guide to the New York State Archives that is simple to understand and comprehensive in its scope. Unravelling how to use the massive record content and providing useful strategies, tips, and techniques to successfully navigate the Indigenous, British, and Dutch records prior to the creation of the state records is incredible. It is inclusive of all ethnic backgrounds and sets the new gold standard for guides to state archives.”
David E. Rencher, AG®, CG®, FUGA, FIGRS, FNGS, Chief Genealogical Officer at FamilySearch, President of the National Genealogical Society
Meet the Author and Editorial Team
Author Jane E. Wilcox, FGBS, serves on the New York State Archives Advisory Committee.
She speaks at national genealogy conferences and institutes. With her company, Forget-Me-Not Ancestry, in Saratoga County, NY, Jane is a full-time professional genealogist, specializing in colonial and early national New York and area research. She also serves on the NYG&B’s New York Family History Advisory Committee.
Ms. Wilcox’s work is supported by an editorial team of editors and reviewers, including staff from the New York States Archives and the NYG&B, members of the NYG&B’s Family History Advisory Committee, and other New York experts.
NYSA Sponsors
We are grateful to the sponsors who made this book possible:
Empire Sponsors
Big Apple Sponsors
