Delaware County Genealogy

Delaware County genealogy records go back to 1797 when the county split from Ulster and Otsego counties. The county clerk in Delhi keeps land deeds, court files, marriage records, and naturalization papers that trace families through more than two centuries of Catskill Mountain history. You can search for ancestors in person at the clerk's office or check state archives for indexes to births, deaths, and marriages. The Delaware County Historical Association and the county historian also hold family papers, cemetery records, and church files that fill gaps in the official record. Most of these sources are free to use on site.

Delaware County Clerk Genealogy Records

The Delaware County Clerk is the main source for genealogy records in the county. The office sits at 111 Main Street in Delhi, NY 13753. Call (607) 832-5700 for hours and to ask what they have on site. Land records start in 1797 and run to the present day. These include deeds, mortgages, and liens. Court records from 1797 cover Supreme Court and County Court cases.

Marriage records at the clerk's office span 1908 to 1931. New York State law required county clerks to file marriage licenses during this period under the Domestic Relations Law. The office also holds naturalization records from 1810 to 1950, which can help you find when and where an ancestor became a citizen. New York State Census records for 1825 through 1925 are on file here too.

The county clerk's website lists current services and contact details for in-person visits.

Land records are indexed by grantor and grantee. You search by name and date. Copy fees run $0.65 per page, with certification at $5.00 per document. Mail requests are accepted if you cannot visit in person.

Delaware County Historical Association

The Delaware County Historical Association (DCHA) holds family papers, photographs, maps, and a research library with genealogy materials. The Gideon Frisbee House museum is part of the collection. You can find documents there that the county clerk does not have. Church records, old letters, and local histories sit in the archive. The DCHA is at 46549 State Highway 10 in Delhi, NY 13753. Call (607) 746-3849 to check hours before you go.

These collections are useful when official records have gaps. Early Delaware County families often left traces in church baptism and burial records that were never filed with any government office. The DCHA has gathered many of these from local congregations over the years.

Genealogy Through the Delaware County Historian

The Delaware County Historian keeps family files, cemetery records, church records, and local history materials. The office is at 111 Main Street in Delhi. Under New York Arts and Cultural Affairs Law Section 57.19, each county must appoint a historian to collect and preserve records of local significance. The historian can point you to sources that are hard to find on your own.

Cemetery records are a standout resource here. Many small burial grounds in rural Delaware County have no online presence. The historian has compiled lists of burials from dozens of these sites. If your ancestors lived in the Catskills, this is one of the best places to check.

The county historian's page provides contact details and a sense of what the office holds.

You can also ask the historian about town-level records that may not be at the county clerk's office.

Probate Records in Delaware County

The Delaware County Surrogate's Court has probate records from 1797 to the present. Wills, estate files, and guardianship records are all on file. These records can show family ties that other sources miss. A will might name children, grandchildren, or in-laws who do not appear in census or vital records.

The Surrogate's Court is at 111 Main Street in Delhi. Phone is (607) 832-5701. Under the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act, you can request copies of wills and estate files by writing to the court with the decedent's name and approximate date of death. Email requests are generally not accepted for these records. FamilySearch has also microfilmed some of these files, so check the FamilySearch catalog before making a trip.

State Archives and Delaware County Genealogy

The New York State Archives in Albany holds indexes to vital records that cover Delaware County. Birth indexes go through 1937. Death and marriage indexes are released after 50 years. These are not the certificates themselves, just index entries with names, dates, and state file numbers. You need the index number to order a copy from the Department of Health.

For Delaware County residents, the closest microfiche index location is the State Archives on the Empire State Plaza. No appointment is needed. Bring a photo ID. If others are waiting, use is limited to one hour. The NYS Department of Health charges $22 for a three-year search. Fees go up based on the time span, topping out at $202 for an 81-90 year search. Processing can take eight months or more.

Note: Sending your request to the local registrar in the town where the event took place is often faster than going through the state.

Tips for Delaware County Genealogy Research

Delaware County was formed from parts of Ulster and Otsego counties. If your ancestor lived in this area before 1797, check those parent counties for earlier records. The Otsego County Clerk and the Ulster County Clerk may have deeds, court records, or other files from the period before Delaware County existed.

FamilySearch has digitized many Delaware County records for free. The state census for 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, and 1925 can fill in details between the federal census years. These state census forms sometimes include birthplace, occupation, and years of residence that the federal ones left out. Check the FamilySearch catalog under "New York, Delaware" for a full list of what they have on microfilm.

Reclaim The Records won a court case in 2025 that opened up the full New York State Death Index from 1880 to 2017. You can download more than 10 million death records for free from their site, including Delaware County deaths. Names, dates of death, ages, and state file numbers are included in the data.

Nearby Counties and Genealogy Resources

Delaware County borders several other counties where your ancestors may have lived or filed records. Check these nearby counties for related genealogy materials.