Ontario County Genealogy Records

Ontario County genealogy records reach back to 1789, making this one of the older counties in western New York for family history research. The county seat is Canandaigua, where the county clerk, records and archives center, surrogate's court, and historical society all hold documents that genealogy researchers need. Ontario County was formed from Montgomery County, and its early land and court records cover a large swath of what later became several other counties. If your family roots are in the Finger Lakes region, Ontario County is a key place to search for deeds, wills, and vital records.

Ontario County Clerk Records

The Ontario County Clerk maintains land records from 1789 to the present along with court records from the same year. The office also has birth and death records for certain years, so contact them to ask about specific time periods. Marriage records at the county level go through 1908. After that date, marriages were filed with the town or city clerk where the ceremony took place.

The clerk's office is at 20 Ontario Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424. Call (585) 396-4200 for details. Land records include deeds, mortgages, and liens indexed by grantor and grantee. Court records cover Supreme Court and County Court filings. Copy fees are $0.65 per page and certified copies cost $5.00. Several other counties were later carved out of Ontario County, including Genesee in 1802. If your ancestor lived in this region before 1802, their records may be in the Ontario County clerk's office even if they did not technically live in what is now Ontario County.

Ontario County Records and Archives

The Ontario County Records and Archives Center is a separate facility from the clerk's office that holds historical documents going back to the county's founding. Real property deeds from 1789 to 1845 are available online. Chattel mortgages from the 1830s to 1870s are also online. Early court records and county historical documents round out the collection.

The Archives Center is at 3051 County Complex Drive, Canandaigua, NY 14424. Phone is (585) 396-4376. This is a great resource for Ontario County genealogy because the older records have been organized and some have been digitized. Land records from the early period can help trace property ownership and family connections in ways that vital records alone cannot. Under Arts and Cultural Affairs Law Section 57.05, county archives are tasked with preserving official records for public access.

The Ontario County Records and Archives website lists what is available online and how to request copies.

Researchers working on pre-1845 families in the Finger Lakes area will find the digitized deed collection especially helpful.

Probate Records in Ontario County

The Ontario County Surrogate's Court has probate records from 1798 to the present. Wills, estate settlements, guardianship papers, and letters of administration are all on file. These records often name heirs, describe land and personal property, and give family details that show up nowhere else.

The court is at 27 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424. Phone is (585) 396-4055. Send a written request by mail with the person's name and approximate date of death. Under the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act, probate records are public and open to genealogy researchers. The Estates, Powers and Trust Law governs how wills are proven and estates distributed in New York.

Ontario County Historical Society

The Ontario County Historical Society in Canandaigua maintains genealogy resources, a research library, and local history archives. Their collections include family files, photographs, maps, and community records that can fill in details beyond what official documents show. The society is at 55 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424. Call (585) 394-4975 for hours and research help.

The Ontario County Historical Society website has information about collections and how to plan a visit.

Their research library is a good complement to the official county records, especially for learning about community context and local families.

State Resources for Ontario County Genealogy

The New York State Archives holds vital records indexes that cover Ontario County. Birth indexes go through 1937 with a 75-year delay. Death and marriage indexes open after 50 years. You can view these at the Archives in Albany or at the Rochester Public Library at 115 South Avenue, which has a copy of the microfiche index. New York State Census records for Ontario County are available for 1825 through 1925 at the State Archives and through FamilySearch.

FamilySearch has microfilmed many Ontario County probate and court records that you can browse for free online.

Note: New York residents can access colonial wills and state census records free through Ancestry.com at ancestry.com/ny/.

Census and Naturalization Records for Ontario County Genealogy

Federal census records for Ontario County start in 1790 and run through 1950. The 1890 count was lost in a fire. You can search these free on FamilySearch. The Ontario County Records and Archives Center has digitized real property deeds from 1789 to 1845 and chattel mortgages from the 1830s to 1870s for free online access. These are some of the oldest digitized county records in western New York.

The Reclaim The Records group won the release of the full New York State Death Index from 1880 to 2017. This free data set covers Ontario County deaths and gives you names, dates, ages, and state file numbers to use when ordering copies. It saves time and money on your search.

The Rochester Public Library at 115 South Avenue holds copies of the state vital records microfiche indexes. That location is closer to Ontario County than Albany and a good option for in-person research. FamilySearch has also microfilmed many Ontario County probate and court records. Check their catalog under "New York, Ontario" for what is available.

Nearby Counties

Ontario County borders several other Finger Lakes counties. Families moved between them often, so check neighboring counties too.