Brooklyn Borough, New York Genealogy

United States New York  Borough of Brooklyn (formerly Kings County)

Quick Facts
The government does not exist at this level since 1898.


 * Named for the Dutch town of Breukelen, Utrecht, Netherlands.
 * Many variants of Brooklyn: Brooklin, Breucklen, Brecklyn, Brookelen, etc.
 * 1898, (now Borough of Brooklyn) consolidation along with Richmond (now Borough of Staten Island), Bronx (now Borough of The Bronx), Queens and New York (now Borough of Manhattan) formed the greater New York City with the consolidated government as the officially named "The City of New York".

Parent County

 * Created 1 November 1683 from the Colonial lands.

Boundary Changes

 * 1898, the 4 counties (New York, Kings, Queens and Richmond) at the time, excluding Bronx which was formed 1914, were consolidated into the greater New York City. Some record keeping were retained at the county (now borough) level and other record-keeping transferred to the new city.

Record Loss

 * Lost census: 1890

Cemeteries
Brooklyn, New York Cemeteries are available online.

Military

 * Civil War

Civil War service men in Brooklyn, New York served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their city or county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Kings County:

- 127th Regiment, New York Infantry

- 132nd Regiment, New York Infantry

- 133rd Regiment, New York Infantry

- 139th Regiment, New York Infantry

- 155th Regiment, New York Infantry

- 158th Regiment, New York Infantry

- 163rd Regiment, New York Infantry

- 164th Regiment, New York Infantry

Newspapers
Brooklyn, New York Newspapers are available online.

Probate Records
Pilot: Kings County, New York Estate Records Index

Vital Records
1902 New York City Births are available online.

Marriages 1875 State Census King County, Brooklyn New York are available online.

Web Sites

 * The Brooklyn NYGenWeb Project, an member of The NYGenWeb Project, an affiliate of The USGenWeb Project.
 * The USGenWeb Archives Project for Kings County.
 * The USGenWeb Archives Project for Kings County. (Backup site)
 * FamilySearch.org Family History Library Catalog for Kings County
 * FamilySearch.org Family History Library Catalog for Brooklyn
 * FamilySearch.org Family History Library Catalog for New York City