Monroe County Genealogy

Monroe County genealogy records go back to 1821 when the county was formed from parts of Genesee and Ontario counties. Rochester serves as the county seat and is where most genealogy research begins. The county clerk, health department, surrogate's court, and the Rochester Public Library all hold distinct record sets that can help you trace your family in this part of western New York. With consolidated vital records at the county level since 1880, Monroe County makes it a bit easier to search birth and death records compared to many other New York counties where you must check each town clerk.

Monroe County Clerk Genealogy Records

The Monroe County Clerk at 39 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614 holds land records from 1821 to the present day. Court records from the same year include both Supreme Court and County Court filings. The office also keeps marriage records from 1908 to 1935, naturalization records, and New York State Census records for the years 1825 through 1925. You can call (585) 753-1600 for help with any of these record types.

Land deeds are indexed by grantor and grantee name. Court records can be looked up by the names of the parties in a case. For naturalization records, you will need the petitioner's name and an idea of the time frame. Staff at the clerk's office can guide you to the right index but they will not do the research for you. Copy fees apply for all documents. Plan to visit in person for the best results, since many older records are not online yet. Bring a photo ID and be ready to fill out a request form when you get there.

The Monroe County Clerk also keeps records that came from the old Genesee County and Ontario County filings that cover Monroe County land before 1821. These early documents can fill gaps in your genealogy research for the period before Monroe County was its own entity.

Monroe County Genealogy Resources

The Monroe County Clerk's office is the central hub for genealogy records in the county, from land deeds to court files.

You can visit the office in person on weekdays to search through indexes and request copies of the documents you need for your family tree.

Vital Records in Monroe County

Monroe County is a consolidated county for vital records. That means birth and death records from 1880 to the present are at the County Health Department, not with each town clerk. This is different from most New York counties, where you have to check with each local town clerk for vital records before 1914. The consolidation makes it much simpler to search for Monroe County genealogy records in one place.

The Monroe County Health Department at 111 Westfall Road, Rochester, NY 14620 holds these consolidated birth and death records. Call (585) 753-5141 to ask about record requests. You will need the full name of the person, the type of event, and an approximate date. Fees apply for each search and copy. Under Public Health Law Sections 4173 and 4174, genealogy copies of birth records are available after 75 years if the person is known to be dead. Death records open after 50 years with no extra rules.

For records after 1880 from outside Monroe County, or if Monroe County cannot find what you need, the NYS Department of Health can also search its statewide indexes. The state fee starts at $22 for a three-year search but processing can take eight months or more.

Rochester Public Library Genealogy

The Rochester Public Library at 115 South Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604 is one of the official places in New York State where you can view vital records index microfiche. These indexes cover births, marriages, and deaths from across New York State outside of New York City. Birth indexes go through 1937. Death and marriage indexes are released after 50 years.

The library's local history collection is deep. City directories have been digitized for 1845 through 1929, so you can look up your ancestors by name and find their address and job. Suburban directories cover nearby towns. The library also has newspapers on microfilm, will records, maps, census records on microfilm, church records, and cemetery records for Monroe County and the surrounding area. Phone (585) 428-7300 for the reference desk. Staff can help you plan your research but cannot do the searching for you.

Monroe County Probate Records

The Monroe County Surrogate's Court at 39 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614 keeps probate records from 1821 to the present. These files include wills, letters testamentary, letters of administration, estate inventories, and guardianship records. Adoption records are sealed by law.

Under the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act, each county in New York has its own surrogate's court that proves wills and handles estate settlements. To get Monroe County probate records, send a written request by mail with the name of the person who died and their date of death. The court does not accept email requests. Search fees and copy fees apply. Call (585) 753-1601 for current rates. For colonial-era and early probate records before 1821, check the New York State Archives probate guide since records from the parent counties may be held there.

FamilySearch has microfilmed many New York probate records. You can search the catalog at FamilySearch.org for Monroe County surrogate's court records. Many are digitized and free to view.

Census and Land Records for Monroe County

New York State ran its own census in 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, and 1925. Monroe County records from several of these years are at the county clerk's office. The state census fills in gaps between the federal census years. The 1855 census records deaths and marriages without names, but from 1865 on the census includes names along with age, birthplace, and occupation. These details can be a big help for Monroe County genealogy research when federal census records are thin.

Land records at the Monroe County Clerk go back to 1821. Deeds, mortgages, and liens are all indexed. The grantor and grantee index system lets you search by name. These records can name family members, neighbors, and witnesses. When vital records have gaps, land records often fill the holes. Copy fees are modest. Under the Estates, Powers and Trust Law, property transfers at death follow strict rules in New York, which means estate-related deeds can help confirm family ties for your genealogy work.

More Monroe County Genealogy Sources

The New York State Archives in Albany holds more than 200 million documents. Many of these records touch on Monroe County residents, including military records, naturalization abstracts, and state census originals. You can visit the archives in person without an appointment. Bring a photo ID.

Under Arts and Cultural Affairs Law Section 57.05, the State Archives collects and keeps official records from across the state. Military records cover the War of 1812 through World War I. Land records at the state level include colonial patents and state land sales that may involve Monroe County properties. The NYS Archives land records page has more detail on what is available.

Note: Processing times at the state level can be long, so local Monroe County offices are usually faster for records they hold.

Cities in Monroe County

These cities and towns in Monroe County have their own genealogy resource pages.

Nearby Counties

Counties near Monroe County with their own genealogy record collections.