The State of New York began requiring a registration of births, deaths, and marriages in 1880-1881. These pieces of information are known as vital records, or vital statistics. This law was not always followed until about 1913 or even after, so some certificates do not exist.
Flower Library holds microfiche copies (provided by the State Department of Health) of older indexes to these vital records; patrons may use our microfilm reader to view the information. More information about the indexes, including availability restrictions, is provided by the NYS Archive website.
Ancestry.com
Your library provides a subscription to Ancestry.com, one of the easiest ways to track down vital records! Some quick information before you get started:
- It must be used within the building
- You may log into this account on your own device
- You may log into this account using one of our public access computers (there are some reserved specifically for this purpose near the Reference Desk on the second floor)
- The link is available here – no password needed once you enter
FamilySearch
Create your own free account to use FamilySearch, an online database full of vital statistics and other important family history information. It does not require a library card for use and can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection!
FamilySearch: Freedmen's Bureau
To search for the records of enslaved ancestors, visit FamilySearch (this specific link will navigate directly to the correct portal). The digitized records of the Freedmen’s Bureau will help us reconnect with our Civil War-era ancestors and are available for free without a library card anywhere there is an internet connection.
Internet Archive: New York State Vital Statistics
The information provided in the links below was made available by the nonprofit organization Reclaim the Records. They successfully filed a New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request against the NYS Department of Health in September of 2017 (completed in August of 2018). The FOIL request ultimately allowed free, immediate, public access to New York State’s birth, death, and marriage microfiche records in digital form for a large chunk of years.
Please note that they are only browsable, not searchable.
Health Data: Select New York State Death Indexes
The information provides death indexes for the years 1957 – 1972 and is updated by New York State on a quarterly basis. It is a searchable database, but it does not provide the place of death; rather, it provides the last place of residence.
Locating a Physical Certificate
Once you’ve determined which specific certificates you need using the resources listed above, it’s time to contact authorities to obtain official copies. There are multiple places to reach out to:
- Village/Town offices where the certificate is registered
- New York State Department of Health
Please note that fees may apply in both locations. However, the NYS Department of Health may take longer than the village or town offices to supply any requested certificates.
Jefferson County Cemeteries
Curious about where your ancestor may be buried locally? Locate more information, including potential gravestone photos, via Find a Grave.
Note that Find a Grave is includes a range of international locations, not just Jefferson County.
