Search Steuben County Genealogy

Steuben County genealogy records reach back to the 1790s, making this one of the more well-documented counties in the Southern Tier of New York. The county was formed from Ontario County in 1796, and the county seat of Bath holds the main record offices. Researchers can find land deeds, court files, probate records, burial records, and newspapers on microfilm through the county clerk, historian, and surrogate's court. Whether you need a deed from the early 1800s or a census record from the 1900s, Steuben County has a solid set of records for family history work.

Steuben County Clerk Genealogy Records

The Steuben County Clerk at 3 East Pulteney Square, Bath, NY 14810 serves as the Clerk of the State Supreme Court and County Court, as well as the Recorder of deeds, mortgages, assignments, and liens. Land records start in 1796 when the county was formed. You can also find judgment dockets, naturalization records, business certificates, and maps and surveys here. Call (607) 664-2563 for hours and fees.

Copy fees are $0.65 per page. Certification costs $5.00 per document, and exemplification runs $10.00 per document. The office uses grantor and grantee indexes for land records. Staff can point you to the right index but will not do research for you. Plan to spend some time on site working through the records yourself. Naturalization records can be a real find for tracing immigrant ancestors who came through the Southern Tier.

The clerk also has court records from 1796 onward. These include civil and criminal cases from both the Supreme Court and County Court levels. Court records sometimes name family members, witnesses, and neighbors, making them a useful secondary source for Steuben County genealogy.

Steuben County Clerk Office

The Steuben County Clerk's website provides information on available records and how to request copies for your genealogy research.

You can visit the office in person in Bath or send a written request by mail for specific records. Have the names, dates, and document types ready before you visit to make the most of your time.

Steuben County Historian

The Steuben County Historian at the Magee House, 1 Cohocton Street, Bath, NY keeps a rich collection of genealogical materials. Family files and surname collections are on hand. The office also has a Steuben County census index, burial records, and newspapers on microfilm from 1831 to 1960. Indexed abstracts of Steuben County Surrogate records cover probate records from 1790 to 1900. Local history books round out the collection.

There is no charge for using the office services. The historian is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM. In-person visits are by appointment only. Call (607) 664-2199 or email Historian@co.steuben.ny.us to set up a visit. The newspaper collection is a standout resource for obituaries, marriage notices, and local news that can fill in details about Steuben County families.

The indexed surrogate abstracts are especially useful because they cover the earliest probate records in Steuben County, predating the county's formal formation. Wills and estate papers from the 1790s can reveal family relationships, property holdings, and the names of heirs.

Probate Records in Steuben County

The Steuben County Surrogate's Court at the County Court Building, 13 Pulteney Square E, Bath, NY 14810 holds wills and probate records from 1790 to the present. That is six years before the county was even formally created, reflecting early settlement in the area. Call (607) 622-8221 for current fees and to check on specific records.

Under the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act, each county surrogate's court handles estate settlements. Send a written request by mail with the decedent's name and approximate date of death. The court does not accept email requests. Search fees and copy fees apply. Probate files can include wills, letters testamentary, letters of administration, and estate inventories. These records often list heirs, executors, and property details that are hard to find anywhere else.

Vital Records for Steuben County

Statewide registration of births, deaths, and marriages in New York began in 1880-81, though coverage was not complete until around 1913. The NYS Department of Health holds these records for Steuben County. Birth records open after 75 years if the person is dead. Death records open after 50 years. Marriage records need 50 years and proof that both spouses died.

Fees start at $22 for a three-year search. Processing takes eight months or more. Under Public Health Law Sections 4173 and 4174, direct descendants can request copies with proof of relationship and proof of death. For faster results, try the local registrar in the town where the event took place. The vital records indexes on microfiche at the New York State Archives in Albany let you look up the state certificate number before requesting a copy.

Note: Contacting the local town registrar in Steuben County is usually faster than going through the state office.

Steuben County Historical Society

The Steuben County Historical Society at One Cohocton Street, PO Box 349, Bath, NY 14810 maintains historical collections and research materials for Steuben County genealogy. Phone is (607) 776-9930. The society can be a good starting point if you need background on local communities, churches, or early settlement patterns in the county.

Steuben County Historian

The Steuben County Historian at Magee House, 1 Cohocton Street, Bath, NY maintains indexed abstracts of Steuben County Surrogate records from 1790 to 1900, a county census index, burial records, and newspapers on microfilm from 1831 to 1960. Office hours are Tuesday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Friday 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM, by appointment only. Phone is (607) 664-2199. There is no charge for use of office services.

Nearby Counties

Counties near Steuben County with their own genealogy record collections.