Find Genealogy in Allegany County

Allegany County genealogy records date back to 1806 when the county was carved out of Genesee County in western New York. The county seat is Belmont, where the clerk's office, surrogate's court, and historian all share space at the courthouse. Family researchers can dig into land deeds, court files, naturalization papers, state census rolls, and probate records. Local genealogy societies active in the area add to the resources, making Allegany County a good place to trace ancestors who settled in the Southern Tier region of the state.

Allegany County Clerk Genealogy Records

The Allegany County Clerk at 7 Court Street, Belmont, NY 14813 is the first stop for most genealogy searches in the county. Land records go back to 1806 and include deeds, mortgages, and liens. Court records from the same year cover Supreme Court and County Court cases. The office holds marriage records from 1908 to 1935 and naturalization records from 1814 to 1972.

Land records are indexed by grantor and grantee name. Court records have their own indexes sorted by case type. An online land records search is available through the county website, which can save you a trip to Belmont. Copy fees are $0.65 per page. Certification costs $5.00 per document, and exemplification runs $10.00. Pay by cash, check, or money order. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (585) 268-9275 with questions before you go.

New York State Census records for Allegany County cover 1825 through 1925. These fill in the gaps between federal census years. The 1855 census recorded deaths and marriages without names, but later ones from 1865 onward added names, birthplace, and occupation details.

Allegany County Vital Records

Vital records for Allegany County births, deaths, and marriages are held by the NYS Department of Health for events from 1881 onward. Statewide registration of deaths started in 1880 and births and marriages in 1881, though early compliance was spotty.

Under Public Health Law Sections 4173 and 4174, birth certificates are available after 75 years if the person is known to be dead. Death records open after 50 years. Marriage records need 50 years and both spouses must be dead. Fees start at $22 for a three-year search window. Direct descendants can get records sooner with proof of relationship. Processing takes eight months or more, so sending your request to the local town clerk where the event took place may be faster.

Probate and Estate Records

The Allegany County Surrogate's Court at 7 Court Street, Belmont, NY 14813 holds probate records from 1806 to now. These include wills, letters testamentary, letters of administration, estate files, and guardianship records. Under the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act, each county court handles probate for people who lived in that county.

Records are indexed by the name of the person who died. You can visit in person or send a written request by mail. Include the decedent's name and date of death. The court does not accept email requests for probate records. Call (585) 268-9365 for fees. FamilySearch has microfilmed many surrogate's court records across New York, so check the FamilySearch catalog for Allegany County holdings before making a trip.

Allegany County Genealogy Societies

The Allegany County Historian at 7 Court Street keeps cemetery records, church records, family genealogies, local history files, maps, and town histories for every town in the county. Basic help is free. The historian can also point you to town historians who may have records not held at the county level. Phone is (585) 268-9406.

The Painted Hills Genealogy Society serves Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Steuben counties. They keep cemetery transcriptions, census records, family genealogies, and research guides for the tri-county area. The society puts out a quarterly newsletter and offers research help. Contact them at PO Box 681, Angelica, NY 14709. The Thelma Rogers Genealogical and Historical Society in Belmont also maintains Allegany County family files and cemetery records. You can reach them through the County Historian's office.

Land Records for Allegany County Research

Land deeds from 1806 onward are at the county clerk. These records name buyers and sellers, describe property boundaries, and sometimes list family members. The grantor/grantee index makes searching straightforward if you know a surname. The NYS Archives also holds state land sale records from 1786 to 1927 that may cover Allegany County parcels sold by the state during early settlement.

Copy fees are $0.65 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 each. Property records can fill in gaps when vital records are missing, especially for the early 1800s before statewide registration started.

Note: Some older records may be fragile and require staff assistance to handle.

Military and Census Records

The NYS Archives holds military records for New York veterans from the colonial era through World War I. Civil War muster roll abstracts, Revolutionary War pension certificates, and Mexican War pension claims are among the key series. Allegany County men served in many of these conflicts, and the records can help confirm dates and service details for your genealogy.

Federal census records for Allegany County are available from 1810 through 1950 at the National Archives and through sites like Ancestry and FamilySearch. New York ran its own state census in 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, and 1925. New York residents can access many of these free through Ancestry's New York partnership.

Nearby Counties

Counties bordering Allegany County that have their own genealogy records pages.