GuidedResearch:Why Can't I Find the Record - New York Marriages

This page will give you additional guidance and resources to find marriage information for your ancestor. Use this page after first completing the marriage section of the New York Guided Research page.

Additional Databases and Online Resources

 * 1600-1784: New York Marriages - at Ancestry ($)
 * Pre-1784: Names of persons for whom marriage licenses were issued by the secretary of the province of New York - at Ancestry ($)
 * 1866-1937: New York, New York, Marriage Certificate Index - at Ancestry ($)
 * 1908-1929: Index to New York City Marriage Applications, Affidavits, and Licenses - at the Internet Archive
 * 1930-1995: New York City marriage records - at the Internet Archive

Additional Records with Marriage Information
Substitute records can contain information about more than one event, and are used when records for an event are not available. Because the substitute records may not be created at the time of the event, it may contain incorrect information. Search for as many substitute records as possible to collaborate information found in substitute records to help improve accuracy.

Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens

 * Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens

Tips for finding marriages
Successfully finding marriage records in online databases depends on a few key points. Try the following search suggestions:
 * Spelling variations. Your ancestor's name may be misspelled. Search with spelling variations for the first and last name of your ancestor.
 * Search given name. Search by given name by leaving out the last name.
 * Search for bride. Search by the bride’s name rather than the groom’s name.
 * Add information. For common names, add more information to narrow the search such as approximate year of marriage or the county the marriage took place in.
 * Date range. Expand the date range of the search by 5 years.
 * Search state. Search using the state name only instead of by county.

Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens

 * Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens

Known Record Gaps
Records Start
 * Marriage records begin in 1881.

Records Published Collection coverage tables show the places and time periods of original records published. Check the coverage table for the collections you searched which did not include your ancestor. Gaps in the online collection may require searches in other records or original birth records at an archive.
 * County marriage holdings, New York
 * New York County Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * New York Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Records Destroyed The following counties had record loss. Click on the county for more information.

Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens

 * Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens