Adirondack Survey: In 1872, Verplanck Colvin was named to the newly created post of Superintendent of the Adirondack Survey and authorized by the Legislature to institute a survey of the Adirondacks. Colvin directed surveying parties throughout the Adirondacks.  He believed that the entire Adirondack region should be protected by the creation of a state forest preserve. His work lead to the creation of New York's Forest Preserve and the Adirondack Park. The annual reports from 1872 - 1898 that are being digitized include many maps, drawing and illustrations.  IN PROCESS.

Certified Copies of Ancient Field Notes and Maps, 1772-1796, 1797-1798:  This short volume published in 1903 contains certified copies of four original maps that were on file at the time in the office of the Secretary of State. These copies were certified by William Judson, State Engineer and Surveyor of New York. The text of the volume are copies of the original field notes from the surveyors of Macomb's Purchase, Totten and Crossfield's Purchase and the Old Military Tract.

Census of the State of New York: These are the published statistical schedules compiled from the original returns under the direction of the Secretary of State which describe the population and economy of counties, cities and towns in New York State.  Volumes for 1808, 1814, 1821, 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915 and 1925 have been digitized.

New York State Census Records, 1790-1925: This publication, compiled in 1981 by New York State Library staff members Marilyn Douglas and Melinda Yates, contains an inventory of federal and state census manuscripts and microfilm holdings in repositories throughout New York State. A list of the questions asked on federal population schedules (1780-1980) is included on pages 43-46 and a list of the questions asked on state population schedules (1825-1925) is included on pages 48-49. A survey of the data included on the federal census special schedules is also included. This publication contains additional information about statistical census records, a "Genealogy of New York State Counties" chart that shows when and how counties were formed, etc. Although some of the information in this publication is a bit outdated, such as the inventory of New York State Library federal and state census holdings, it is still a good reference source.

The New York State Library holds an extensive collection of material on the American Civil War including published materials such as Frederick Phisterer's New York in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 to 1865; New York State and Federal documents; and numberous primary documents such as letters, diaries, family papers, broadsides, prints, music and maps.

List of Civil War materials with links to the digital documents

This is a list of the digital copies of bibliographies, guides and indexes from the State Library’s collection that can be used to identify relevant New York State Government Documents and related sources.

List of bibliographies, guides and indexes with links to the digital documents.

In its role as the State Law Library, the New York State Library collects heavily in the area of New York State law. The State Library's law collection includes early published editions of New State laws; these sets are in the process of being digitized.

List of NYS Laws with links to the digital documents

The New York State Library holds a wealth of first hand descriptions of the Native American experience in New York. These resources span four centuries, beginning with the Dutch colony of New Netherland and continuing to the close of the American frontier in western New York and beyond. Original manuscripts, New York State Documents and published accounts provide windows upon Native American life and serve as lenses through which cultural and historical interpretations can be made.

List of Native American materials with links to the digital documents

The State Library’s collection includes the official published materials produced by the New York State's Constitutional Conventions and Commissions, as well as many related publications. The State Library is in the process of digitizing the official published materials produced by the State Constitutional Conventions, including journals, documents and proceedings.

List of NYS Constitutional Conventions with links to the digital documents.

Civil List and Constitutional History of the Colony and State of New York: This volume by Edgar A. Werner was published in 1891 and includes lists of officers "connected with the public service of the State," a constitutional history of New York State and the history of development of each department that was part of New York State government. The lists of officers "connected with public service of the State" includes a wide range of state and county elected and appointed officials such as representatives in colonial assemblies, members of the Senate and Assembly, port wardens, school commissioners, commissioners of fisheries, justices of the Supreme Court, associate judges of the colonial court, city mayors and county sheriffs. Included in this volume is the text of the Constitution of New York (1846) as amended and in force as of 1/1/1891 A useful feature of this volume is the Index of Names on pages 677-801. This index lists all names included in this volume along with the county or town of residence of each individual.

New York Red Book: The Red Book has been published since 1892 and presents pertinent facts concerning New York State, its political subdivisions and the officials who administer NYS affairs. It includes pictures and brief biographies of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, all members of both houses of the legislature, the Judges of the Court of Appeals and Court of Claims, department heads and other officials in executive positions in various departments and divisions. It also includes lists of county officials and officers of recognized political parties. We have digitized 1892 through 1923.

Annual Report of the State Historian of the State of New York: In 1895, Governor Morton appointed a state historian, who duties were "to collect…edit, and prepare for publication all official records…and data, relative to the colonial wars, war of the revolution, war of 1812, Mexican war and war of the rebellion." The 1st Annual Report (1895), 2nd Annual Report (1896) and 3rd Annual Report (1897) were digitized from volumes in the State Library’s collection. Volume 1 of the Colonial Muster Rolls for 1664-1760 can be found in Appendix H of the 2nd Annual Report. Volume II of the Colonial Muster Rolls for 1664-1760 can be found in Appendix M of the 3rd Annual Report. An index of names contained in the Colonial Muster Rolls can be found on pages 899-1130 of the 3rd Annual Report.

Orderly Books, 1759-1760. 1762: These are the orderly books of Captain Amos Hitchcock’s Connecticut provincial companies during the French and Indian War. The orderly books are the companies’ official record of all military orders, and include courts martial, disciplinary actions and promotions. The volumes also provide a record of troop movements in northern New York and Canada and encampments at Albany, Fort Edward, Lake George, Crown Point and Fort Ontario.

Papers of Sir William Johnson: In his official capacity as Indian agent or military officer, Sir William Johnson corresponded with people from all walks of life. His papers, covering the time period of 1738-1808, form an invaluable source of information on the political, military, social and agricultural history of the period. (Papers that date after Johnson's death in 1774 relate to matters with which his relatives were connected.) The 14-volume set that has been digitized is the most comprehensive source of printed transcripts from the original manuscripts.

A CD of the Johnson Papers was recognized as a "notable document" for 2007 by the American Library Association. The CD is available for sale.

A Set of Plans and Forts in America, Reduced From Actual Survey: This volume was published in 1763 in London. The author is John Rocque. The volume consists of 30 maps of forts in America, such as Fort William Henry and the Redoubts at Crown Point. The volume also includes a "Map of the British Dominions in North America according to the Treaty of 1763."

New York State History - Towns and Counties

Gazetteer of the State of New York…by J.H. French (1860): Also known as French's Gazetteer, this one-volume work contains information on the geography, geology, institutions and general history of New York State. It also contains a history and description of every county, city, town, village and locality in NYS and includes founding dates, leading institutions, early settlements, prominent citizens, etc.

Selected New York State Town and County Histories: Forty-one county and town histories selected from the State Library's collection have been digitized. Titles include:

• Annals of Albany;
• Pioneer Days and Later Times In Corning and Vicinity 1789-1920;
• Centennial History of the Town of Dryden 1797-1897;
• Schuylerville, New York, "The Historical Village";
• Portrait and Biographical Record of Orange County, New York;
• Troy and Rensselaer County, New York, a History;
• Stony Point Illustrated, an Account of the Early Settlement on the Hudson with Traditions and Relics of the Revolution; and
• History of Herkimer County, NY.

Note: Many New York State town and county histories have already been digitized by a commercial vendor and are included in HeritageQuest, ProQuest's genealogy and local history collection. This online database is available at the New York State Library.

The New York State Museum can trace its beginning back to 1836 with the appointment of staff for the State’s first official Geological and Natural History Survey.  Since that point, Museum research scientists and staff have conducted "systematic investigations into the geology, biology, anthropology and history of New York" and produced a wealth of publications that detail the results of their work.  Some of these publications, such as the Bulletin of the New York State Museum, Memoir of the New York State Museum and Natural History of New York, have been digitized by the NYSL.

List of Museum publications with links to the digital documents.

Contract of sale of land along the Hudson River from the Mahican Indians to Kiliean Van Rensselaer, 6 August 1630: This document is a scan of an original parchment copy of the land title that established the Colony of Rensselaerwyck within the province of New Netherland. The lands in the conveyance comprised much of present Albany and Rensselaer counties of NYS. Peter Minuit, Director General New Netherland signed this document, along with others on the governing council. The original document is In Dutch; an English translation by A.J.F. van Laer with revisions by Charles Gehring is included with the original.

A map of the Manor Renselaerwick: This is a scan of a copy made by David Vaugnam from the original that was held by Stephen Van Rensselaer. It includes landforms, drainage, roads and farmstead locations. This map was originally engraved and printed by J.E. Gavit in 1767.

Patent for the Manor of Rensselaerwyck: This is a copy of the original manuscript from November 5, 1685. The document confirmed the right of the former Dutch colony known as Rensselaerwyck in 1630 as a colony under the jurisdiction of New Netherland, with the exception of lands reserved for the settlement called Albany and special right away connecting the settlement on the Hudson River to the Mohawk River. The document was signed and sealed by Thomas Dongan, Governor of the colony of New York.

Renselaerswyck: map: This is a scan of the original manuscript map on vellum that was part of the Rensselaerwyck Manor Records. "The scale to which the map purports to be drawn is 16 7/8 inches to the Dutch mile, or 3 5/8 inches to the English mile." "The map is without date or makers name…[but] is commonly ascribed to Gillis van Schendel" in 1631 or 1632.

Atlas of School Districts and Units of Local Government: This document, published in 1957, shows the school district boundaries in relation to county and town boundaries. This is an important tool because school district boundaries and town and county boundaries often don't coincide.

Master Plan for School District Reorganization in New York State, revised 1958: This document shows the details of the school district reorganization for each school district in New York State as of July 1, 1957. In 1942, the Joint Legislative Committee on the State Education System began the task of creating a master plan for school district reorganization. The plan was completed and published in 1947. Chapter 723 of the Laws of 1956 authorized and directed the Commissioner of Education to bring the 1947 plan up to date. The revised plan was published in 1958.