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Ontario County, New York
Genealogy, History & Facts

Ontario County, New York Facts

When was Ontario County, NY Created?
Ontario County was created on January 27, 1789 from Montgomery County.

What is the County Seat of Ontario County, NY?
The County Seat is located in Canandaigua and in addition the county government website is co.ontario.ny.us/

What counties are adjacent to Ontario County, NY?
Bordering Counties are Wayne CountySeneca CountyYates CountySteuben CountyLivingston CountyMonroe County.

Ontario County, NY Vital Records

Where can find Ontario County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Ontario County vital records can be found at the New York Department of Health which has copies of birth records after 1881 and death records after 1880, copies of marriage since 1881 and a Divorce records since 1847 . There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in New York for current fees and application process.

You can search online for Ontario County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for New York Birth and Death CertificateMarriage and Divorce Certificate Application to mail.

Ontario County, NY Census Records


What Ontario County, NY census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Ontario County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1790-189019001910192019301940.

Ontario Co. Mortality Schedules can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Ontario Co. Industry and Agriculture is available for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Ontario Co. Union Veterans Schedules can be obtained for 1890.

There are New York State censuses from 1880, 1892, 19051855186518751892190519151925. You can get free downloadable and also printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also New York Census Records Research Guide

Ontario County, NY Courthouse and Government Records

Ontario County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Ontario County Courthouse?
Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Ontario County court, probate, and land records data as a useful resource of ancestry and genealogy information. Buried away in New York courthouses and archives everywhere are the ambitions and frustrations of countless New York residents. The possibilities are excellent that your forefathers have left a comprehensive document of at least a number of facets of their lives in the Ontario County court records. Even if your forebears is not referred to in a Court case, contemplate all of the other procedures that could have lead to him or her to appear in court records. See Also New York Courthouse Records Research Guide.

  • Ontario County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
    • Address: 27 North Main Street, Canandaigua, New York 14424
  • Ontario County Clerk Deed records–and mortgages to 1920–are at the Ontario County Department of Records, Archives, and Information Management Services, 3051 County Complex Drive, Canandaigua 14424; later deeds and all indexes are at the county clerk’s;
    • Address: 20 Ontario Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424
    • Phone: (585) 396-4200
    • Land Records: 1789
    • Court Records: 1789
  • Ontario County Surrogate Court Clerk These records–and mortgages to 1920–are at the Ontario County Department of Records, Archives, and Information Management Services, 3051 County Complex Drive, Canandaigua 14424; later deeds and all indexes are at the county clerk’s;
    • Phone: (585) 396-4055
    • Probate Records: 1789
  • Ontario County Historian
    • Address: 3051 County Complex Drive, Canandaigua, NY 14424
    • Phone: 716) 396-4034
  • Abstracts of wills of Ontario County, New York, 1848-1849-1850 : Volume 12 (XII) (Liber D)
  • New York Wills, 1626-1836
  • BLM Land Records

Ontario County, NY Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Ontario County, NY?
A list of Ontario County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide New York Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

Where can I connect with other Ontario County, NY Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in Ontario County, NY?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Ontario County. Most of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Business oriented Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some have to have a cost. This is simply a listing that has been compiled or submitted. I do not recommend or promote one genealogy site over another.

Ontario Co. NY Books, Newspapers & Publications

Ontario Co. NY Cemeteries & Church Records

Ontario Co. NY Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Ontario Co. NY General and History Websites

Ontario Co. NY Immigration & Naturalization

Ontario Co. NY Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Ontario Co. NY Military Records

Ontario Co. NY Schools & Directories