Warren County Genealogy

Warren County genealogy records start in 1813 when the county was formed from Washington County. The county seat is at the Warren County Municipal Center in Lake George, where both the clerk's office and the county historian share the same campus. This is one of the best-documented small counties in New York for family history, with the county historian maintaining over 30 years of genealogical correspondence and hundreds of file folders sorted by surname. The Adirondack foothills location attracted a mix of settlers from New England and the upper Hudson Valley, and the records reflect that diverse background.

Warren County Clerk Genealogy Records

The Warren County Clerk at the Warren County Municipal Center, 1340 State Route 9, Lake George, NY 12845 serves multiple roles that matter for genealogy research. Phone is (518) 761-6426.

The clerk is the Recorder and Registrar of Title for all Warren County land records, including deeds, mortgages, discharges, and powers of attorney. Court records cover both civil and criminal actions. The office also files maps, certificates of incorporation, and DBA (doing business as) filings. As the Chief Recording Officer, the clerk serves as the official repository of county records, and as Records Management Officer, handles inactive county records that may contain older genealogy materials.

The clerk also processes passport applications and pistol permits, but those are not typically useful for genealogy. What matters most for family history work are the land records, court records, and any naturalization files that may be in the collection. Since Warren County was formed from Washington County, records for this area before 1813 are in Washington County.

Warren County Records Center and Genealogy Archives

The Warren County Records Center and Archives at 1340 State Route 9, Lake George, NY 12845 holds the deep genealogy collection. Phone is (518) 761-6455.

This is where the real treasure is for family history researchers. The archives maintain an enormous range of records including affidavits, almshouse records, assessment and tax rolls, bastardy papers, bonds and undertakings, a book of dower, a book of wills, and estate records. Cases on appeal, census records, civil actions, common pleas actions, correspondence from the county clerk, and criminal indictments are all here too.

The collection also has deeds, divorce actions, jail records, judgment records, jury lists, maps, marriage records, military records, naturalization records, school district records, supreme court actions, survey papers, and town records. This breadth makes it possible to track an ancestor through many different types of records without leaving the building.

Warren County Historian Genealogy Resources

The Warren County Historian at the Warren County Municipal Center, Room 7-122, 1340 State Route 9, Lake George, NY 12845 runs one of the most thorough county genealogy operations in New York. Phone is (518) 761-6544. Office hours are Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Appointments are welcome.

The historian maintains hundreds of file folders and volumes of Warren County family information filed by surname. Genealogical correspondence covering more than 30 years is on file, which means if someone else has already asked about your family, the historian may have notes from that earlier research.

Published works include community histories for Bolton, Glens Falls, Hague, Lake George, Lake Luzerne, Queensbury, Stony Creek, Thurman, Wardsboro, and Minerva. The David and Edythe Haskell Collection has 87 manuscript booklets and four drawers of file folders from Stony Creek genealogists. Hunt's Index of early Warren and Washington County settlers is another key reference. Hague Genealogies by Gerald Keenan and Clifton West covers families in that Lake George area town.

Census record indexes for 1850, 1855, 1860, 1865, 1875, and 1910 are available. Gertrude Barber Abstracts of early Warren County wills and deeds have been compiled. Military record abstracts, church records, town assessment rolls, juror lists, and tombstone transcripts for virtually every cemetery in Warren County complete the collection. Written research requests are accepted by mail with a $15 non-refundable check or money order made payable to the Warren County Treasurer.

Probate Records in Warren County

The Warren County Surrogate's Court at the Warren County Municipal Center, 1340 State Route 9, Lake George, NY 12845 has probate records from 1813 to the present. Phone is (518) 761-6514. Email WarrenSurrogate@nycourts.gov.

Wills, letters testamentary, estate inventories, and guardianship records are all here. The county historian also has abstracts of early wills and deeds compiled by Gertrude Barber, which can speed up your search. For ancestors who died before 1813, check Washington County probate records since Warren was formed from that county.

Vital Records for Warren County Genealogy

The NYS Department of Health holds vital records for Warren County. Birth records open after 75 years if the person is deceased. Death records open after 50 years. Marriage records need 50 years and proof both spouses have died. Fees start at $22 for a three-year search.

Town clerks in Warren County communities may also hold local vital records. Church records from Glens Falls, Lake George, and other towns predate state registration and can fill gaps. The county historian has some church record transcripts in the collection as well.

Land and Property Records in Warren County

Land records at the Warren County Clerk include deeds, mortgages, discharges, and powers of attorney from 1813 to the present. For property in this area before 1813, check Washington County records since Warren was formed from that county. Early land grants from the state covered large tracts of the Adirondack foothills, and following the chain of title can reveal when your family first settled in the area.

The county archives also hold deeds as part of their broader genealogy collection. Tax and assessment rolls can show you who owned what property in a given year, which is helpful when deed records have gaps. Military records at the archives may include land bounty information for veterans who received property grants for their service.

Warren County Historian Research Services

The Warren County Historian accepts written research requests by mail with a $15.00 non-refundable fee (check or money order to "Warren County Treasurer"). The office holds the David and Edythe Haskell Collection with 87 manuscript booklets from Stony Creek genealogists, Hunt's Index of early Warren and Washington County settlers, and tombstone transcripts for nearly every cemetery in the county. Office hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Phone is (518) 761-6544.

Nearby Counties

Counties near Warren County with their own genealogy record collections.