Research

The Archives holds campaign finance records filed by candidates for statewide elective office and organizations supporting them, including political action committees (PACs) (series 15004). Records span 1974-1996 and cover candidates for state Assembly and Senate, judgeships, and offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Comptroller, and Attorney General.

The Archives has 6,000+ highway corridor maps (1942-1987) in Series B1804. These topographic maps were produced on 30" x 54" sheets using photogrammetry.  At a 1"=200' scale, individual sheets cover an area of approximately two square miles. The maps were used in planning and designing highways, so geographic coverage is of limited corridors in which highways were later built.

The Archives has tax assessment rolls of real and personal estates for the period 1799-1804 (Series B0950). Rolls list names of taxable residents, but give only the dollar value of real and personal property, and no information about buildings or moveable property.

Prior to 1784 couples intending to marry, yet not announcing the impending marriage in a church, were required to obtain licenses from and file bonds with the provincial secretary/secretary of state.  Series A1893, Marriage bonds, 1753-1783, is the sole surviving record of these bonds.  Only 19 of the 40 original volumes survived the 1911 State Capitol fire.  Little visible text remains in the surviving records.

Abstracts of muster rolls of NYS Volunteer Units that served during the Civil War (Series 13775) are available on self-service microfilm at the New York State Archives.  The Archives does NOT have original muster rolls.  

Content varies, but abstracts generally provide: enlistment date; age; place of enlistment and for how long; date mustered in; grade; company; regiment; date left organization; reason for leaving (killed, discharged, deserted, etc.); in what grade; and "remarks."

Alien depositions are statements of intent to become a US citizen, enabling an individual to buy/transfer real property. Original, signed alien depositions (Series A1869) are arranged roughly chronologically (1825-1913). They typically give the name of alien, date and place of deposition, and (sometimes) country of origin. 

The State Archives holds inmate admission registers from Sing Sing Prison for the period circa 1870-1970 (Series B0143). Inmate entries are recorded chronologically. The registers are not indexed by inmate name.

Information in inmate entries varies over time, but generally includes criminal history and basic personal and family data.

Researchers can determine if the New York State Department of Health (DOH) holds vital records of interest by using the vital records microfiche index.  The index is arranged by vital event, then by year, and then by surname.  Birth certificates (1881-1935), marriage certificates (1881-1960) and death certificates (1880-1960) are indexed.

The index contains basic information including name of person, date and location of event, and certificate number assigned by the Department of Health.

Research Tips introduce some of the most informative collections in the New York State Archives and guides visitors through their use. Each tip includes a brief description of records pertaining to a particular topic and clear and concise instructions on how to use the records to get information.

Many of the record series in the State Archives are available in microfilm format and may be requested through Inter-Library Loan. Finding aids are available for frequently requested records available on microfilm through Inter-Library, and are listed below.