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

Record Description
These records include an index to death records from the state of New York, excluding New York City, for the years 1500 to 2013. 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 [www.health.ny.gov/vital_records/genealogy New York Vital Records information].

Record Content
The index includes


 * Name of deceased
 * Death date
 * Gender
 * Age
 * File number
 * Names of descendents

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it would be helpful to know


 * Name of deceased
 * Other identifying information such as age or death date

Search the Collection
Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

As you are searching it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors. For example:


 * Use the name and file number to search the State Department of Health records.
 * Use the age to calculate an approximate birth date.
 * Use the name and age to search census and probate indexes.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * 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.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names.
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby localities.
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals with the same family number.

Related Websites

 * [www.health.ny.gov/vital_records/genealogy New York vital records information]
 * State Department of Health Death Index

Related Wiki Articles

 * New York Vital Records
 * New York Deaths and Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.