About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

An excellent bibliography of the state censuses of New York, New York State Censuses & Substitutes by William "Bill" Dollarhide provides guidance for locating and researching the census schedules and census substitutes available for New York State and its 62 counties. If that's not enough, it also includes NY State county boundary maps and census extraction forms. If you're researching New York ancestors, "New York State Censuses & Substitutes" is a 'must-have' book!

Publisher's Site

Pros

• Lists thousands of NY state census originals, extracts and indexes
• Identifies over 1,200 census substitutes, including tax lists, voter registrations and deed indexes
• 19 county boundary maps showing the evolution of New York counties between 1683 and 1915
• Examples and extraction forms for 26 NY state census population & special schedules, 1825-1925
• Includes library call number, FHL film number or Web site URL for each published resource.

Cons

• Very little guidance for beginners to genealogy research

Description

• Paperback, 229 pages
• Published 2005, Heritage Creations
• ISBN 1933194-18-9

Guide Review - New York State Censuses & Substitutes

Once you've researched the basics of your family tree, including Federal Census records, it's time to turn to this excellent reference work. "New York State Censuses & Substitutes" by Bill Dollarhide is a comprehensive guide to the location of original state census records, microfilm versions, and published indexes, abstracts, and transcriptions for New York State -- most organized in the book by county, making them easy to find.

The 448 identified state census originals are identified by repository, and published census references include the library call number, FHL film number or Web site URL. Bill Dollarhide even takes it one step further, by identifying 105 original 1850-1880 federal censuses held by 30 New York counties (county duplicate originals of the federal copies). Census substitutes, including tax lists, voter registrations, military lists and deed indexes are also discussed, as are other name lists found in county histories, city directories and naturalization indexes. You'll also know what to expect from each state census record, as examples and extraction forms for each are also provided. The included county boundary maps, covering the state of New York from 1683-1915, also aid in determining where to look for state census records. Outside of the helpful background information provided in the foreword by professional genealogist Gordon L. Remington, the book is primarily a bibliography. Still, it is a "must-have" for anyone researching New York ancestors.

Publisher's Site