New York Wills, 1626-1836

This database is a collection of New York citizens' wills from 1626 to 1836 that were recorded in the office of the clerk of the court of appeals, of the county clerk of Albany and of the secretary of state. Wills can be good sources of genealogical information. Often they mention family members of the deceased, especially the spouse and children. They may also mention other information such as an occupation or list of possessions. By examining the information found in a will you may be able to determine what kind of person your ancestor was, how he lived, and what his social status may have been.