New York, State Health Department, Genealogical Research Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
These records include an index to death records from the state of New York, excluding New York City, for the years 1957-1963. This index is provided by the State Department of Health. The index will allow the public to search for individuals on a variety of genealogy criteria if the information has been in the file for at least 50 years. For more information, see New York Vital Records information.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Death
 * The name of deceased
 * Death date
 * Gender
 * Age
 * File number
 * Names of descendents

Collection Content
Use the name and file number to search the State Department of Health records

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it helpful to know:
 * The name of deceased
 * The approximate date of death

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Search for an obituary
 * Search for a cemetery records
 * Use the name and age to search census records
 * Search for a probate record
 * Continue to search the index and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have served in the same unit or a nearby unit
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct
 * You may need to compare the information of more than one family or person to make this determination
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby localities
 * Consult the New York Record Finder to find other records

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the state of New York.
 * New York Guided Research
 * New York Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step New York Research, 1880-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * New York Deaths and Burials, 1795-1952
 * New York, Church and Civil Deaths, 1824-1962
 * New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949
 * New York, State Death Index, 1880-1956
 * New York, Yonkers, Birth and Death Registration and Indexes, 1875-1916

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.