New York Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection is an index of births and christenings for the years 1640 to 1962. This index is not complete for any particular place, region or time period. This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index.

Related Article. Obtaining New York State Birth Records: Insights from the Experts'' New York Researcher. New York Genealogical and Biographical Society 33 #1 (Spring 2022): 5-7. FS Library 974.7 D27nyg

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

Births and Christenings
 * Name
 * Gender
 * Birth date and place
 * Christening date and place
 * Names of parents
 * FS Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials
 * Race
 * Parents' place of birth

Coverage Table
The coverage table shows the places and time periods of the original records in this collection. The table indicates how many records the collection has from each place. Most of the records in the collection are from the time periods listed in the table; however, the collection may have a few records from before or after the time period.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The person’s name
 * The approximate date and place of birth

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.

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

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Look at an image of the original record, if possible. The original may contain information that was not recorded in the index
 * Use the information to find other records such as marriage, death, or census records
 * Collect entries for every person who has the same surname, unless the surname is a common surname. This list can help you identify possible relatives that can be verified by records

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

 * Try viewing any original indexes to see if there were errors in the transcription of the name, age, residence, etc.
 * Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames, middles name, or an abbreviation of their given name
 * 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 Catalog

 * New York Genealogical and Biographical Society ; managing editors, Naomi Joshi ... et al. New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer 2 volumes. New York, New York : New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, c2017 FS Library 974.7 D27nyg

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * Historical Records Survey, Division of Community Service Programs, Work Projects Administration. Guide to public vital statistics records in New York State (including New York City). 3 volumes. Albany, New York : Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942

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.