New York State History - Towns and Counties
Engraving of early Albany street scene.
The State Library strives to be comprehensive in its collection of histories relating to the counties, cities, towns and villages of New York State. County, city, town and village histories provide biographical information on early settlers, prominent citizens, and local war heroes and depict all periods and aspects of New York State history from colonial times to the present day. Selected county and town histories have been digitized, as well as statewide publications like French's Gazetteer.
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, including:
- Albany: Annals of Albany;
- Corning: Pioneer Days and Later Times In Corning and Vicinity 1789-1920;
- Dryden: Centennial History of the Town of Dryden 1797-1897;
- Herkimer County: History of Herkimer County, NY.
- Schuylerville: Schuylerville, New York, "The Historical Village";
- Orange County: Portrait and Biographical Record of Orange County, New York;
- Stony Point: Stony Point Illustrated, an Account of the Early Settlement on the Hudson with Traditions and Relics of the Revolution
- Troy and Rensselaer County: Troy and Rensselaer County, New York, a History;
Note: Many New York State town and county histories have already been digitized by Familysearch.org in the Books section.