Columbia County Genealogy Search

Columbia County genealogy research draws on records starting in 1786 when the county was formed as one of the original counties in New York. The county seat of Hudson and the town of Kinderhook both hold key collections for family history work. Dutch and New England settlers shaped early Columbia County, and their records survive in the clerk's office and historical society. One important note for researchers: the 1892 and 1905 New York State Census records are lost for Columbia County, creating a gap that you will need to work around using other sources.

Columbia County Clerk Records

The Columbia County Clerk at 401 State Street, Hudson, NY 12534 maintains land records from 1786 to the present. Deeds and mortgages are indexed by grantor and grantee. Court records from 1786 include Supreme Court and County Court cases. The office holds marriage records from 1908 to 1935, naturalization records, and New York State Census records.

The census records here cover 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1915, and 1925. The 1892 and 1905 state census records for Columbia County are lost. This is a known gap. Federal census records and church records can help fill that period. Online land records search is available through the county website. Copy fees are $0.65 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00. Call (518) 828-3339 for more details. Under County Law Section 525, the clerk serves as the official keeper of these records.

Columbia County Historical Society

The Columbia County Historical Society at 5 Albany Avenue, Kinderhook, NY 12106 maintains extensive genealogy collections. The society has family papers, photographs, maps, local histories, and a library with resources for Columbia County research. The research room is available by appointment.

The Columbia County Historical Society website shows how to access their genealogy research room and collections.

Research fees apply and membership gives benefits. Call (518) 758-9265 to set up an appointment. The society's location in Kinderhook is fitting since this town was one of the earliest Dutch settlements in the region and the birthplace of President Martin Van Buren.

Dutch Reformed church records from the Kinderhook area are some of the most valuable sources for Columbia County genealogy. These churches kept baptism, marriage, and burial records in Dutch long before English became the main language of record-keeping. The historical society can point you to which records survive and where they are held.

Columbia County Historian

The Columbia County Historian at 401 State Street in Hudson keeps family files, cemetery records, church records, and local history materials. This office shares the building with the county clerk, which makes it easy to visit both in one trip.

Cemetery records are a strength of this office. Columbia County has dozens of small burial grounds scattered across its towns. Many of these have been transcribed and the transcriptions are on file with the historian. If you cannot visit the cemetery in person, these records give you the information from the headstones. The historian can also point you to local historical societies in specific towns that may hold additional records for their area.

Probate Records in Columbia County

The Columbia County Surrogate's Court at 401 State Street, Hudson, NY 12534 holds probate records from 1786 to the present. Wills, estate administrations, and guardianship records are indexed by decedent name. Call (518) 828-3338 for fees and procedures.

Under the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act, each county surrogate's court proves wills and settles estates. Probate files from Columbia County often name real property and its location, which can lead you to land records. They also list heirs with their full names and places of residence. For colonial-era probate records before 1787, the New York State Archives in Albany holds wills and estate papers that may cover Columbia County residents. Many of these colonial records have been digitized through Ancestry.com's free New York collection.

Columbia County Vital Records

The NYS Department of Health has vital records from 1881 for Columbia County. Coverage was incomplete until about 1913. Birth certificates open after 75 years if the person is dead. Death records open after 50 years. Marriage records need 50 years with proof both spouses are dead.

Fees start at $22 for a three-year search. Processing at the state level takes eight months or more. For faster results, try the local registrar in the town where the event took place. The county clerk holds marriage records from 1908 to 1935 as well. Under Public Health Law Sections 4173 and 4174, direct descendants can request genealogy copies with proof of relationship and proof of death.

State Genealogy Resources

The New York State Archives in Albany has vital records indexes on microfiche covering all of New York outside New York City. Birth indexes go through 1937. Death and marriage indexes open after 50 years. The archives holds more than 200 million documents. Under Arts and Cultural Affairs Law Section 57.05, the State Archives collects official records from all 62 counties.

Columbia County is close enough to Albany that a day trip to the State Archives and State Library is practical. Both are in the Cultural Education Center on the Empire State Plaza. The New York State Library has family histories, reference guides, and the FamilySearch CD-ROM series. Materials must be used on site.

Columbia County Historical Society

The Columbia County Historical Society at 5 Albany Avenue, Kinderhook, NY 12106 has family papers, photographs, maps, and local histories. Research is by appointment. Phone is (518) 758-9265. Note that the 1892 and 1905 New York State Census records are lost for Columbia County, so the historical society may help fill those gaps with other local sources.

Nearby Counties

Counties near Columbia County with their own genealogy collections.