Research

New York State Department of State Descriptions and Impressions of Official Seals Filed with the Secretary of State


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Overview of the Records

Repository:

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

Summary:
This series consists of descriptions and impressions of the Great Seal and Privy Seal of the State of New York, the seals of the clerks of the Assembly and Senate, of state agencies, various courts, of county clerks and surrogates, and towns and notaries public. The description and sample impression are accompanied by certificate signed by the official submitting the document for filing by the Secretary of State. Both volumes have indexes at the front. Many seals are fragile.
Creator:
Title:
Descriptions and Impressions of official seals filed with the Secretary of State
Quantity:

1 cubic foot

2 volumes; 1 microfilm roll 35mm

Inclusive Dates:
1781-1977
Series Number:
B0001

Administrative History

Special statutes regarding the great seal and other official seals have required filing of descriptions with the Secretary of State. Chap. 12 of the Laws of 1778 required descriptions of the great and privy seals and the seals of the chancellor and the various judges to be delivered to the Secretary of State for him to "deposit and record in his office." Chap. 249 of the Laws of 1855 empowered boards of supervisors in the various counties of the state to adopt a seal, and required them to file a description of it with the Secretary of State. Chaps. 18 and 301 of the Laws of 1878 required the various state agencies in existence at that time to adopt seals and to file descriptions with the Secretary of State. Chap. 51 of the Laws of 1909 contains provisions for seals of state agencies, but makes no provision for filing of descriptions with the Secretary of State.

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of descriptions and impressions of the Great Seal and Privy Seal of the State of New York, the seals of the clerks of the Assembly and Senate, of state agencies of the various courts, of county clerks and surrogates, and of a very few towns and notaries public. The description and sample impression are accompanied by certificate signed by the official submitting the document for filing by the Secretary of State. The first volume covers the years 1798-1891; the second, 1849 - 1977. The description were originally filed as folded documents, but were apparently rebound in the early 20th century. Both volumes have indexes at the front, but the descriptions were not bound in chronological or any other particular order. Many of the pages have come loose from the binding, and many of the seals themselves are quite fragile, particularly those impressed on wax or paper wafers.

Alternate Formats Available

Microfilmed in part in 1973 at the Department of State by the Genealogical Society of Utah, microfilm reel 947120 (items 3-4). Cataloged by the GSU as "Official seals, 1798-1898."

Other Finding Aids

Available at Repository

Both volumes have an index in front.

Access Restrictions

Microfilm is not available for duplication or inter-library loan.

Access Terms

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