Washington County Genealogy Records

Washington County genealogy records date back to 1772, when the county was formed from Albany County under the name Charlotte County. It was renamed Washington County in 1784 after the Revolutionary War. The county seat is Fort Edward, where the clerk's office, archives, and surrogate's court hold records spanning over 250 years. This is one of the older counties in upstate New York, and its border location near Vermont means many families crossed between the two states. The Washington County Historical Society adds another layer of research material to what the government offices hold.

Washington County Clerk Genealogy Records

The Washington County Clerk at the Municipal Center, Building A, 383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828 holds the main set of county records for genealogy. Phone is (518) 746-2170.

The clerk maintains divorce records, court records, land records, military records, naturalization records, and state census records. Land records from the 1770s onward include deeds, mortgages, and property transfers that can trace family land ownership across generations. Court records cover civil and criminal cases filed in Washington County courts.

Naturalization records are a strong point here. The eastern border with Vermont and proximity to Canada meant this area saw steady immigration. Military records on file can help trace ancestors who served from the Revolutionary War onward. State census records fill in gaps between federal census years, giving you additional data points for tracking family members.

Washington County was also the parent county for Warren County, which was formed in 1813. If your ancestors lived in what is now Warren County before that date, check Washington County records first. The early records for the Lake George area, Queensbury, and other northern towns are here.

Washington County Archives for Genealogy

The Washington County Archives at the Municipal Center, Building A (Basement), 383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828 maintains historical county records and genealogical materials. Phone is (518) 746-2136.

The archives hold older records that have been moved from the clerk's active files. Maps, photographs, and other historical materials are here as well. If the clerk's office cannot find what you need in their current files, the archives are the next place to check. Some materials may need staff help to access because of their age and condition.

Washington County Historical Society Genealogy

The Washington County Historical Society at 167 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828 holds research materials for county genealogy work. Phone is (518) 747-9108.

The society's collections complement the official county records with family papers, community histories, photographs, and other documents that government offices may not have. For families who lived in the smaller towns and villages of Washington County, the historical society may have local records, church transcripts, or cemetery information that the clerk's office does not hold.

The society can also help connect you with other researchers who are working on the same families. Membership gives you access to their full collection and any publications they produce. Contact them ahead of your visit to find out what they hold for your specific research area.

Probate Records in Washington County

The Washington County Surrogate's Court at 383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828 keeps probate records from 1772 to the present. Call (518) 746-2515 for search procedures.

Over 250 years of wills, estate files, and guardianship records are on file here. Early probate records from the colonial and Revolutionary War periods can be especially useful for genealogy. These often name family members, describe property in detail, and list household goods. Later records follow a more standard format but still provide key information about family relationships and assets.

Probate files are indexed by the decedent's name. You will need the name and an approximate year of death to request a search. For records from the Charlotte County period (1772 to 1784), the name change should not affect your search since the records were carried over. Some very early probate records may also be at the New York State Archives in Albany.

Washington County Vital Records for Genealogy

The NYS Department of Health holds vital records for Washington County from the state registration period starting in 1880. Birth records open after 75 years if the person is deceased. Death records open after 50 years. Marriage records require 50 years and proof both spouses have died. Fees start at $22.

For earlier vital events, check church records and town clerk files. Washington County had Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, and other congregations that kept baptism, marriage, and burial records before the state required registration. Cemetery transcriptions have been done for many Washington County burying grounds, and some are available through genealogy websites and the historical society.

The New York State Archives in Albany also holds census, military, and land records covering Washington County. The New York State Library has county histories and family reference materials.

Land and Property Records in Washington County

Land records at the Washington County Clerk start in the 1770s and run to the present. Deeds, mortgages, and property transfers are indexed by grantor and grantee. These records are especially useful for the period after the Revolutionary War, when many Loyalist properties were confiscated and resold to new owners. Tracing land ownership through this transition can reveal family connections and economic circumstances.

The border with Vermont is important for land research here. Some properties straddled the boundary, and disputes over land grants from New Hampshire (the old "New Hampshire Grants") and New York kept courts busy for years. If your ancestor owned land near the eastern edge of Washington County, check Vermont records too. Maps and surveys at the clerk's office can help you pin down exact locations.

Nearby Counties

Counties near Washington County with their own genealogy record collections.