Testator index to wills recorded in New York City
Statement on Language
Some content in this finding aid may contain offensive terminology. For more information on why this language is occasionally retained, see: New York State Archives Statement on Harmful Language in Descriptive Resources.
Overview of the Records
Repository
- New York State Archives
222 Madison Avenue
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.
Title
- Testator index to wills recorded in New York City
Quantity
- .1 cubic feet; 2 microfilm reels
Inclusive Dates
Series Number
- A4699
Creator
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
Reel list.
Administrative Information
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.