Suffolk County Genealogy Records

Suffolk County genealogy records stretch back to 1683, making it one of the oldest record collections on Long Island and in all of New York State. The county clerk in Riverhead holds land deeds, naturalization papers, and court records from the colonial era forward. The Suffolk County Historical Society keeps an impressive set of family files, diaries, maps, and cemetery transcriptions. The Smithtown Library's Handley Collection is one of the best Long Island genealogy collections anywhere. With records spanning more than three centuries, Suffolk County is a deep well for family history research.

Suffolk County Clerk Records

The Suffolk County Clerk at 310 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901 is the primary record office for genealogy work in Suffolk County. Land records here include deeds, mortgages, and liens. Court records cover cases heard at the county level. Business certificates and UCC filings are on file too. Call (631) 852-2000 for hours and fee details.

One standout feature of the Suffolk County Clerk's Office is their online naturalization records search. Naturalization papers tell you where an immigrant came from, when they arrived, and when they became a citizen. For Long Island genealogy, these records are gold because they trace the waves of settlers and immigrants who came to eastern Long Island over the centuries. The office also holds maps and surveys that can help you pin down exactly where a family's property was located.

Staff can assist with locating the correct index for your research, but they do not conduct searches on your behalf. Copy fees and certification fees apply. Bring as much information as you can about names, dates, and document types before your visit.

Suffolk County Historical Society

The Suffolk County Historical Society at 300 West Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901 holds one of the most extensive genealogy collections on Long Island. Their holdings include account books, ledgers, deeds, land records, wills, probate materials, census records on microfilm (both federal and New York State), letters, diaries, journals, maps, atlases, photographs, scrapbooks, and vertical files sorted by family name and subject.

The Daughters of the Revolution ("D of R") collection is part of the society and adds even more depth. It includes genealogies, biographies, periodicals, town records, ledgers, diaries, photographs, postcards, maps, cemetery transcriptions, ancestor charts, scrapbooks, family Bible records, and newspapers. For Suffolk County genealogy, this is one of the best single stops you can make. Phone is (631) 727-2881.

The society is a research library open to the public. Some materials may need staff handling. Copy fees apply for reproductions, and staff may be able to help point you in the right direction, though they cannot do your research for you.

Probate Records in Suffolk County

The Suffolk County Surrogate's Court at 320 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901 has probate records from 1683 to the present. That is over 340 years of wills, estate inventories, letters of administration, and guardianship files. Call (631) 852-1746 for fee information.

Under the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act, each county's surrogate's court proves wills and settles estates. For colonial-era probate records, the New York State Archives also holds collections covering the period from 1665 to 1815. Many of these have been digitized through Ancestry.com's free New York collection, which is available at no cost to New York State residents. Send a written request by mail to the court with the decedent's name and date of death. They do not take email requests.

Vital Records for Suffolk County Genealogy

The New York State Department of Health holds vital records for Suffolk County from 1880-81 onward. Coverage was not complete until around 1913. Birth certificates open for genealogy 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 longer. Under Public Health Law Sections 4173 and 4174, direct descendants can request copies with proof of relationship. For faster service, contact the local town registrar where the event happened. Each town in Suffolk County has its own registrar who can issue records more quickly than the state office.

Smithtown Library Handley Collection

The Smithtown Library at 1 North Country Road, Smithtown, NY 11787 houses the Richard H. Handley Collection of Long Island Americana. This is one of the premier Long Island genealogy collections. It holds thousands of books on Long Island history and genealogy, hundreds of maps, newspapers on microfilm, family files, and Smithtown and Suffolk County historical materials. Phone is (631) 265-2072.

The Handley Collection is especially strong on colonial-era and 19th century Long Island families. If your ancestors lived anywhere on Long Island, this collection is worth a visit or a research inquiry. Materials must be used on site. Staff can help you find the right resources but will not conduct research for you.

Suffolk County Land Records

Land records at the Suffolk County Clerk go back to the colonial period. Deeds, mortgages, and liens cover all property in the county. The records use a grantor and grantee index. For earlier colonial land transactions, the New York State Archives holds patents, Indian treaties, and state land sales that may cover Suffolk County properties.

Long Island land records are especially useful for genealogy because the same families often held property for generations. Under the Estates, Powers and Trust Law, property transfers at death follow specific rules, and land records can reveal family ties, inheritances, and connections to neighbors. If vital records are missing, land records may be your best bet for proving family relationships in Suffolk County.

Cities in Suffolk County

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

Nearby Counties

Counties near Suffolk County with their own genealogy record collections.