Wayne County, New York Genealogy

United States New York  Wayne

Historical Facts
The county is named after Revolutionary War General "Mad" Anthony Wayne (1745-1796).

Parent County
Wayne County was created 11 April 1823 from parts of Ontario and Seneca counties.

Record Loss

 * Lost census: 1890

Cemeteries

 * Wayne County Cemeteries -  Choose "Cemeteries" in Left Side Menu  -  The NY Gen Web Project
 * Wayne County Cemeteries -  Map of Cemeteries in Wayne County  -  Find a Grave
 * Wayne County Cemeteries -  List of Cemeteries in Wayne County  -  Find a Grave

Census
For information and tips on using and accessing online census records, see New York Census.

Directories
The Wayne County NY Gen Web site has provided the 1867 Directory of Wayne County.

Gazetteers

 * Wayne County Gazatteer -  NY Home Town Locator

History
A Brief History of Wayne County

A History of Wayne County New York with illustrations of its scenery, etc. (a digital copy)

There are several histories of Wayne County New York in the catalog of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Some of these have been microfilmed and are available at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City or they can be ordered at any of the Library's Family History Centers.

Maps

 * Wayne County Town Map -  Wayne County Government
 * Wayne County Outline Over Google Map -  NY Home Town Locator
 * Links to Wayne County Maps -  Linkpendium (60 maps)

Migration
Early migration routes to and from Wayne County for European settlers included:


 * Lake Ontario
 * Mohawk or Iroquois Trail (west fork) about 1722
 * Great Genesee Road 1794
 * Erie Canal 1825

Military
Civil War service men in Wayne County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county.

See: 111th Regiment, New York Infantry, 138th Regiment, New York Infantry, 160th Regiment, New York Infantry, 161st Regiment, New York Infantry

Newspapers

 * Old Fulton Postcards -  Free search-able web site which holds newspapers from upstate New York.
 * Surname Search - Office of the Wayne County Historian - Enter surname, given name matches listed in alphabetical order from historiancs records. Includes clipped newspaper articles. This site does not give online access to the actual articles, but sometimes the actual articles can then be found at Old Fulton Postcards, using the citation to give a clue as to what search string to use at Old Fulton Postcards.
 * Wayne County (NY) newspapers on microfilm and paper at all NYS locations -  NY State Library

Probate records

 * Guardianship

Archives, Libraries and Museums
Libraries


 * Lyons Public Library 122 Broad Street Lyons, New York 14489 Phone: 315-946-9262 Email: lyonslibrary@owwl.org Hours:Monday and Wednesday 10 am - 5 pm, 7 - 9 pm Tuesday and Thursday 12 - 9 pm Friday 10 am - 5 pm, Saturday 9 am - 1 pm


 * The Palmyra Kings Daughters Free Library 127 Cuyler Street Palmyra, New York 14522 Phone: 315-597-5276 Hours: MOnday - Thursday 10 am - 8 pm Friday 10 am - 5 pm Saturday 10 am - 2 pm (Closed Saturdays in July and August)

The library had local histories, old newspaper listings on marriages, cemetery listings, old maps, deaths, poorhouse records and more.


 * Clyde Savannah Public Library 204 Glasgow Street Clyde, New York 14433 Phone: 315-923-7767 Hours: Monday and Wednesday 1 - 8 pm Tuesday and Thursday 10 am - 6 pm Friday 1 - 6 pm, Saturday 10 am - 1 pm Closed Saturdays during July and August and on major holidays.

The Clyde library has historical photos.

Museums


 * Heritage Square Museum 7147 Ontario Center Road Ontario, New York 14519


 * Hill Cumorah Historic Sites Visitor's Center:603 STate Rt. 21 Palmyra, New York 14522

The Visitor's center will give directions and information regarding local historical sites and museums.

Courthouse
The Wayne County Courthouse is the home for the County Clerk and County Historian. For further information about the records available and whre they are held, see the Wayne County Courthouse page.

Family History Centers
The closest Family History Center for Wayne County is the Palmyra, New York Family History Center. For additional Family History Centers, search online at FHC directory.

Societies

 * Central New York Genealogical Society

Websites

 * The Wayne County NY Gen Web Project
 * The Wayne County NY Gen Web Archives Project
 * Office of the Wayne County Historian
 * Surname Search -  Office of the Wayne County Historian - Enter surname, given name matches listed in alphabetical order from historiancs records. Includes clipped newspaper articles.
 * ancestry.com Wayne County Search  -  $ requires ancestry.com subscription
 * Wayne County Links -  Linkpendium
 * Wayne County Links -  Rootsweb
 * Wayne County Links -  Cyndi's List - Scroll or search down to "Wayne" for Wayne County Links
 * Wayne County Links -  Gen Net  -  American Local History Network (ALHN) and the American History and Genealogy Project (AHGP).
 * Wayne County Links -  GenealogyLinks.net
 * Wayne County Links -  My New York Genealogy
 * Wayne County Links -  Kindred Trails
 * Wayne County Links -  D'ADDEZIO.com
 * Wayne County Links -  D'ADDEZIO.com