Requesting Records

Requesting Information: What You Need to Know

Vital Records

• Held by the clerk of the town where the event (birth, marriage, death) occurred.
• Not required by New York State until after 1880.
• To obtain a copy, write to the municipal clerk.

Land Records/Deeds

• Available at: Genesee County Clerk, County Building #1, 15 Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020

Wills, Probate, and Administration Records

• Available at: Surrogate Court, Genesee County Courts Facility, 1 West Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020

Research Assistance

• Genesee Area Genealogy Society can assist with research requests.

Holland Land Company Records

• Available on microfilm at: Reed Library, S.U.N.Y. Fredonia, New York 14063

Note: Our records cover the thirteen towns of Genesee County as it is today. A filled-out Genesee County History Department Research Form accompanied by payment is required.

Requesting Records

The Genesee County History Department offers assistance with genealogical searches and local history research in our Research Library. For online research, please check our indexed resources. Copies of indexed records are available at 25 cents per page. The History Department reserves the right to limit copies from sources that are copyrighted or in fragile condition.

To request records, please email history@geneseeny.gov with the following information:

1. Record selected from which index. (Indexes are found under Collections and Bibliographies)
2. All information provided by the index (names, dates, page numbers).
3. Your contact information (email or phone number).

Once reviewed, you will be contacted regarding the number of pages and the fee. Payment should be made to: Genesee County Treasurer. Provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope to receive your copies.

Please Note:

• Records containing health information are protected under HIPAA and are only available 50 years after a person's death.
• Inclusion in an index does not guarantee availability for copying. Each request will be reviewed for accessibility.
• The History Department does not hold vital records. For events after 1881, contact the local registrar where the event occurred or the New York State Department of Health.
• The History Department holds marriage records from 1908-1935, kept by the County Clerk (see our index).
• For land transaction records and mortgages, visit the Genesee County Clerk.