Find Yates County Genealogy Records

Yates County genealogy records start in 1823 when the county was formed from Ontario and Steuben counties. The county seat is Penn Yan, where the clerk's office, surrogate's court, county historian, and genealogical society work together to make family history research accessible. This small Finger Lakes county has a distinctive history shaped by its Mennonite and other religious communities, alongside the typical New England-origin settlers who came to western New York in the early 1800s. The county clerk has online census indexes, which is unusual for a county this size and can save researchers a trip to the courthouse.

Yates County Clerk Genealogy Records

The Yates County Clerk at 415 Liberty Street, Penn Yan, NY 14527 holds the main set of county records for genealogy research. Phone is (315) 536-5120.

Land records from 1823 to the present include deeds, mortgages, and property transfers. Court records from the same year cover civil and criminal filings. New York State Census records are on file, and the clerk offers online census indexes. This is a helpful feature that lets you search from home before making a trip to the courthouse.

For records before 1823, you need to check Ontario and Steuben county clerks. The towns that became Yates County were split between those two parent counties. Land transactions, court cases, and other records filed before 1823 will be in one of those two offices depending on which town your ancestor lived in.

Copy fees apply. The clerk's office can direct you to the right record series for your question. If you are just getting started, ask about the census indexes first, since those can quickly tell you whether your family was in Yates County during a specific time period.

Probate Records in Yates County

The Yates County Surrogate's Court at 415 Liberty Street, Penn Yan, NY 14527 keeps probate records from 1823 to the present. Phone is (315) 536-5121.

Wills, letters testamentary, letters of administration, estate inventories, and guardianship records are all on file. Probate records in a small county can be especially detailed because the surrogate often knew the families personally. Wills may name all children, describe specific farm parcels, and mention community relationships.

Files are indexed by the decedent's name. For ancestors who died before 1823, check Ontario or Steuben county surrogate's courts. The New York State Archives in Albany has early probate records that may also cover this area.

Yates County Genealogical Society

The Yates County Genealogical Society in Penn Yan provides research help and maintains local history collections for the county.

The society can connect you with other researchers working on Yates County families. Their collections include published genealogies, family files, and community histories that complement the official records at the clerk's office and surrogate's court. If someone has already researched your family in this county, the society may have notes or publications from that earlier work.

Active genealogical societies are a real asset in small counties. Members often know the local records inside and out and can point you to sources you might otherwise miss. Contact the society before your visit to find out what they hold for your surnames of interest.

Yates County Historian Genealogy Resources

The Yates County Historian in Penn Yan maintains family files, cemetery records, and local history materials. The historian also has online census indexes that complement the clerk's digital resources.

Cemetery records cover burying grounds across Yates County. In a rural area like this, many small family and church cemeteries exist that may not appear on standard maps. The historian may have the only surviving records of tombstone inscriptions for some of these sites. Local history materials include town histories, community records, and publications about the county's distinctive religious and cultural communities.

Vital Records for Yates County Genealogy

The NYS Department of Health holds vital records for Yates County from the state registration period. 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.

For vital events before state registration, church records are the primary source. Yates County had a mix of denominations including Mennonite, Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian congregations that kept baptism, marriage, and burial records. Some Mennonite community records are particularly detailed. Town clerks may also hold local vital records from the pre-registration period.

State Resources for Yates County Genealogy

The New York State Archives in Albany holds census, military, and land records covering Yates County. New York State Census records fill gaps between federal census years. Federal censuses for Yates County start in 1830 (the first census after the county formed). For the 1820 census, look under Ontario or Steuben counties.

The New York State Library has family histories, county histories, and research guides. Both are free to use. The Finger Lakes region has several genealogical and historical societies that hold records covering parts of Yates County as well.

Yates County Genealogy Research Tips

The Mennonite community in Yates County kept detailed records of births, marriages, deaths, and church membership that can be exceptionally useful for genealogy. These records often go back further and contain more detail than standard town or county vital records. Contact local Mennonite congregations or check the Mennonite Historical Library for materials related to Yates County families.

Penn Yan got its name from a combination of "Pennsylvania" and "Yankee," reflecting the two main groups of settlers who came to the area. Pennsylvania Dutch families and New England Yankees both left records in their churches, town offices, and county files. Knowing which group your ancestor belonged to can help you choose the right records to search and the right communities to check in the states they came from before arriving in Yates County.

Yates County Genealogical Society

The Yates County Genealogical Society in Penn Yan provides research help and keeps local history collections. They can point you to the right sources for Yates County families. The Yates County Historian also maintains family files, cemetery records, and online census indexes that are free to search.

Yates County land records at the clerk's office start in 1823. Deeds and mortgages can name family members and heirs. Copy fees are $0.65 per page with $5.00 for certified copies. These records fill gaps when vital records are missing or restricted.

Nearby Counties

Counties near Yates County with their own genealogy record collections.