What is the application deadline?
Applications must be postmarked or e-mailed by January 15, 2025.
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Research
What records are eligible to be included in my proposed project?
Any of the records held by the New York State Archives in Albany, NY are eligible to be included. Not eligible for support is research in collections held by the New York State Library or New York State Museum, or by other archives, libraries, or local governments located within the State of New York or elsewhere. Proposed projects that rely on records that have been little used and are not available in the Archives’ online “Digital Collections” or in Ancestry.com or on microfilm will receive preference for funding.
What research projects are eligible for support?
A wide range of research topics is eligible as long as the proposed project requires the use of records held by the New York State Archives and focuses on some aspect of New York State history, government or public policy. Review the list of previously awarded projects or, for more information, contact the New York State Archives, Researcher Services, (518) 474-8955; archref@nysed.gov.
Topical Guide to New York Probate Records
This topical guide serves to direct researchers to probate documents from specific time periods and (in some cases) from various regions of New York State. Each category of documents (e.g. "Wills") is broken down into one or more sets of geographical and chronological parameters.
Bibliography
John Arneson, "The Legal Angle in the Surrogate's Office," Tree Talks, 3 (1963), 7-9, 74-76. [Helpful guide to records of Surrogate's Courts.]
Rosalie F. Bailey, Guide to Genealogical and Biographical Sources for New York City (Manhattan), 1783-1898 (New York: 1954). [Still a useful guide to probate and other records, though some of the custodians have changed.]
Surrogate's Court (1787+) (statewide)
The Surrogate's Court in each county generally has records dating back to the establishment of the county or 1787, whichever was later. Record keeping was systematized by an 1830 statute. Surrogate's Courts maintain records of wills, letters testamentary, letters of administration, orders and decrees, and appointments of guardians; and filed papers, including original wills, petitions for probate (gives date of death and lists next of kin), performance bonds, property inventories (seldom found after ca. 1900), administrator's or executor's accountings, etc.
Department of Taxation and Finance
19802-78, -97 Article 10 Estate Tax Files, 1885-1990 (89 cu. ft.)
Secretary of State's Office
Between 1823 and 1966, in cases where an out- of-state resident owned property in New York, the Surrogate's Court was required to send a certified copy of the will or letters of administration to be filed in the Secretary of State's Office.
B0081 Letters of Administration and Copies of Wills of Out-of-State Residents, 1823-1966 (51.2 cu. ft.)
Court of Chancery
Between 1830 and 1847 the Court of Chancery shared with the Surrogate's Court the power to take proof of wills when the testator or the witnesses resided out of state. After probate in chancery, a Surrogate's Court supervised the administration and disposition of the estate.
