Research

Testator index to wills recorded in New York City


Some content may contain outdated and offensive terminology. See: New York State Archives Statement on Language in Descriptive Resources


Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:
This microfilm series is an index to testators in State Archives series J0043-92, Record of Wills and Probates, 1665-1787, and in series 1043-92, Record of Wills and Probates, 1787-1879 (pre-1851 wills only). The index lists testators (makers of wills) in alphabetical order by surname, then by given name. The index provides name, date when will was proved, and book and page number.
Creator:
Title:
Testator index to wills recorded in New York City
Quantity:

.1 cubic feet

2 microfilm reels

Inclusive Dates:
1665-1875
Series Number:
A4699

Arrangement

Alphabetical by name of testator.

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of microfilm of two works originally compiled and edited by Ray C. Sawyer. The first (reel 1) is a two-volume typescript "Index of New York State Wills, 1662-1850, on File at the Office of the Surrogate for New York County in the Hall of Records, New York City" (1931-1932). The second (reel 2) is a three-volume typescript "Index to Wills Probated in New York County, New York, from 1851 to 1875, Inclusive," (1950-1951). Copies of both original works may be found in the New York State Library.

This microfilm series is an index to testators in State Archives series J0043-92, Record of Wills and Probates, 1665-1787, and in series 1043-92, Record of Wills and Probates, 1787-1879 (pre-1851 wills only). The index lists testators (makers of wills) in alphabetical order by surname, then by given name. The index provides name, date when will was proved, and book and page number.

Wills pre-dating mid-1787 were recorded in the office of the colonial Prerogative Court (1665-1783) or the State Court of Probates (1778-1787). Pre-1787 wills were made in all parts of the colony or state of New York. Wills post-dating mid-1787 were recorded in the office of the Surrogate's Court in New York County. Starting in 1823, the recorded wills include many wills made by out-of-state residents.

Alternate Formats Available

Microfilm was produced by The Genealogical Society of Utah, 1973. 2 microfilm reels : positive; 35 mm.

Related Material

Accretion J0043-92, Record of Wills and probates (1665-1787), and Series J1043, Record of Wills and Probates [New York County] (1787-1879), are indexed by this series.

Other Finding Aids

Available at Repository

Reel list.

Location of Originals

Original index is held by New York Genealogical & Biographical Society; 122 East 58th St., New York, NY 10022-1939

Custodial History

The records indexed by Mrs. Sawyer were formerly on file at the Office of the Surrogate for New York County in the Hall of Records, but are now held by the New York State Archives. Those series, J0043-92, Record of Wills and Probates, 1665-1787, and 1043-92, Record of Wills and Probates, 1787-1879, have also both been microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah.

This accession resulted from work by Archives staff in October 1999 to integrate or accession estrayed or unidentified records.

Access Restrictions

Restricted; microfilm is not available for inter-library loan or reproduction for any purpose.

Access Terms

Corporate Name(s):
Geographic Name(s):
Subject(s):
Genre(s):
Function(s):