Union, New York Genealogy

Union genealogy records start at the town clerk, where vital records of births, deaths, and marriages are kept on file. Broome County adds land records from 1806, naturalization papers spanning 1814 to 1972, court files, and marriage records from 1908 to 1935. The Broome County Public Library in Binghamton is an official repository for the New York State Vital Records Index microfiche, giving access to statewide indexes without a trip to Albany. The Broome County Historian maintains cemetery records, church records, and family genealogies. Union sits just west of Binghamton in the Southern Tier, and between town, county, and library resources, most family lines in the area can be traced back through multiple generations.

Union Town Clerk Vital Records

The Union Town Clerk is the main source for vital records in the town. Birth records, death records, and marriage records are on file. The town maintains a detailed vital records page on its website. Records go back to 1881 when New York State began requiring towns to register vital events. The town may also have some records from the 1847 to 1849 period, though those early files are uncommon.

You can visit the town clerk in person to search indexes and request copies. Mail requests are also accepted. Include the full name, the date or approximate date of the event, the type of record you need, and a note that the request is for genealogy purposes. Fees for copies typically run $10 to $22 depending on the type and search period.

Under New York Public Health Law, birth certificates open for genealogy after 75 years if the person is known to be dead. Death records become available after 50 years. Marriage records need 50 years and proof that both spouses have died.

Broome County Records for Union Genealogy

The Broome County Clerk holds land records from 1806 to the present including deeds, mortgages, and liens. Court records from 1806 include Supreme Court and County Court files. Marriage records cover 1908 to 1935. Naturalization records span 1814 to 1972, making this one of the longer naturalization collections in the state. The office also has New York State Census records for 1855 through 1925.

Land records are indexed by grantor and grantee. Public access terminals are available for searching land records. Microfilm covers older records. Copy fees are $0.65 per page and certification costs $5.00 per document. The office is at 60 Hawley Street, 5th Floor, Binghamton, NY 13901. Phone is (607) 778-2468. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Broome County Surrogate's Court has probate records from 1806 to the present. Wills, letters testamentary, letters of administration, estate files, and guardianship records are all on file. The court is at 60 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901. Probate records are indexed by the name of the person who died.

For broader Union genealogy in Broome County, the county clerk and surrogate's court are the main stops for records going back to 1806.

Broome County Historian Genealogy Collections

The Broome County Historian maintains genealogical collections that go beyond what the county clerk keeps. Cemetery records for Broome County cemeteries, church records, family genealogies, surname files, local history materials, maps, atlases, and obituary indexes sit in the collection. The historian also coordinates with town historians throughout the county.

Basic research help is free. Copy fees apply. The office is at 60 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901. Phone is (607) 778-2135. If you have hit a dead end with vital records and land deeds, the historian's cemetery records and church records can sometimes break through.

Broome County Library Genealogy Resources

The Broome County Public Library Local History and Genealogy Department is one of the official repositories for the New York State Vital Records Index microfiche. You can search statewide indexes to births from 1881, marriages from 1881, and deaths from 1880 right here in Binghamton. The library also holds census records, city directories, newspapers on microfilm, family histories, and local history materials.

Vital records indexes on microfiche can be searched by surname. Census records are searchable by name. City directories work by name and address. The library is at 185 Court Street, Binghamton, NY 13901. Phone is (607) 778-6400. Free library cards are available to county residents. Microfilm readers and printers are available for use.

State Resources for Union Genealogy

The New York State Archives in Albany holds vital records indexes covering Union and all of Broome County. Birth indexes go through 1937. Death and marriage indexes open after 50 years. You use the file numbers to order copies from the NYS Department of Health.

The Department of Health charges $22 for a three-year search. Processing takes eight months or more. Going to the Union Town Clerk is usually faster. Since the Broome County Public Library has the vital records microfiche, you can search the indexes locally instead of driving to Albany.

Reclaim The Records released the full New York State Death Index from 1880 to 2017 for free download. The data covers Union deaths and gives you file numbers you can use to order copies from the state.

Tips for Union Family Research

The Broome County Clerk's naturalization records from 1814 to 1972 are among the longest-running collections in the state. If your Union ancestors were immigrants, these files can show their country of origin, arrival date, and port of entry. Naturalization records from the 1800s sometimes include physical descriptions, which is something you rarely find in other types of records.

The county historian coordinates with town historians throughout Broome County. If you are stuck, reaching out to the Union town historian (through the county historian's office) can sometimes turn up family files, photographs, or local knowledge that no library or archive has cataloged.

Nearby Cities for Genealogy

Southern Tier families moved between towns and cities in the area frequently. These nearby places may hold records for your Union ancestors.