New York State Census, 1892 - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of an index and images of the population schedule from the New York census taken in 1892. This state census is an every-name index to the state's inhabitants as of February 16, 1892. The collection includes 40 counties. This census does not cover the entire population of the state of New York. Some of the modern-day counties did not exist in New York State in 1892. New York City organized its five boroughs six years later in 1898. New York created Nassau County that same year.

Colonial censuses were created by the state of New York and were taken about every ten years beginning in 1690. State censuses began to be taken about every ten years in 1795. This census does not cover the entire population of the state of New York. Some of the modern-day counties did not exist in New York State in 1892. New York City organized its five boroughs six years later in 1898. New York created Nassau County that same year.

New York state censuses were created approximately every decade beginning with 1825. This official date of enumeration for this census is Feb. 16, 1892. The census was compiled to obtain a count and description of the population of the state of New York.

The record is a printed form that was filled in by hand by the enumerator. The schedules are usually arranged by county and political subdivisions. The information is generally reliable. However use the information with some caution, since the information may have been given to a census taker by any member of the family or by a neighbor. Some information may have been incorrect or deliberately falsified.

This census does not cover the entire population of the state of New York. Some of the modern-day counties did not exist in New York State in 1892. New York City organized its five boroughs six years later in 1898. New York created Nassau County that same year.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

Inventory
An inventory for this collection is available at New York State Census, 1892 - Inventory. This inventory shows the counties included in the census. It also includes their records repository and corresponding Family History Library microfilm number if the information is available. Information is not available for all counties. Counties for which the population schedules are missing or lost are indicated by an asterisk (*).

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The full name of your ancestor
 * The residence of the individual
 * The names of other family members

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors.

I Found the Person I was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the age listed to determine an approximate birth date. This date along with the place of birth can help you find a birth record
 * Birthplaces can tell you former residences and can help to establish a migration pattern for the family
 * Use the naturalization information to find their naturalization papers in the county court records. It can also help you locate immigration records such as a passenger list which would usually be kept records at the port of entry into the United States
 * If they are subject to military service, they may have military files in the State or National Archives
 * It is often helpful to extract the information on all families with the same surname in the same general area. If the surname is uncommon, it is likely that those living in the same area were related

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties
 * There is also the possibility that a family was missed in the census
 * Consult the New York Record Finder to find other records

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of New York.
 * New York Guided Research
 * New York Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step New York Research, 1880-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * New York State Census 1855
 * New York State Census 1865
 * New York State Census 1875
 * New York State Census 1905

Family History Library Microfilm Numbers for this Census

 * New York. Allegany County. 1892 state census. Allegany County Courthouse, Belmont, New York. FHL Microfilm 501959
 * New York. Cattaraugus County. 1892 state census. Cattaraugus County Courthouse, Little Valley, New York. FHL Microfilm 584495
 * New York. Chautauqua County. 1892 state census. Chautauqua County Courthouse, Mayville, New York. FHL Microfilm 479648
 * New York. Chemung County. 1892 state census. Chemung County Courthouse, Elmira, New York. FHL Microfilm 850934
 * New York. Clinton County. 1892 state census. Clinton County Courthouse, Plattsburgh, New York. FHL Microfilm 863412
 * New York. Cortland County. 1892 state census. Cortland County Courthouse, Cortland, New York. FHL Microfilm 843868
 * New York. Delaware County. 1892 state census. Delaware County Courthouse, Delhi, New York. FHL Microfilm 832853
 * New York. Dutchess County. 1892 state census. Dutchess County Courthouse, Poughkeepsie, New York. FHL Microfilm 565250
 * New York. Erie County. 1892 state census. Erie County Courthouse, Buffalo, New York. FHL Microfilm 825692, item 2-825696, item 1
 * New York. Genesee County. 1892 state census. Genesee County Courthouse, Batavia, New York. FHL Microfilm 810479
 * New York. Kings County. 1892 state census. Kings County Courthouse, Brooklyn, New York. FHL Microfilm 1930226-1930244
 * New York. Monroe County. 1892 state census. Monroe County Courthouse, Rochester, New York. FHL Microfilm 833783-833785
 * New York. Montgomery County. 1892 state census. Montgomery County Courthouse, Fonda, New York. FHL Microfilm 479335
 * New York. Niagara County. 1892 state census. Niagara County Courthouse, Lockport, New York. FHL Microfilm 878329
 * New York. Orleans County. 1892 state census. Orleans County Courthouse, Albion, New York. FHL Microfilm 592751
 * New York. Otsego County. 1892 state census. Otsego County Courthouse, Cooperstown, New York. FHL Microfilm 869029
 * New York. Rockland County. 1892 state census. Rockland County Courthouse, New City, New York. FHL Microfilm 564819, item 2
 * New York. Saratoga County. 1892 state census. Saratoga County Courthouse, Ballston Spa, New York. FHL Microfilm 559941
 * New York. Schenectady County. 1892 state census. Schenectady County Courthouse, Schenectady, New York. FHL Microfilm 503210
 * New York. Schoharie County. 1892 state census. Schoharie County Courthouse, Schoharie, New York. FHL Microfilm 868883
 * New York. Steuben County. 1892 state census. Steuben County Courthouse, Bath, New York. FHL Microfilm 512430
 * New York. Tioga County. 1892 state census. Tioga County Courthouse, Owego, New York. FHL Microfilm 816369
 * New York. Tompkins County. 1892 state census. Tompkins County Courthouse, Ithaca, New York. FHL Microfilm 856517
 * New York. Washington County. 1892 state census. Washington County Courthouse, Fort Edward, New York. FHL Microfilm 512705
 * New York. Wayne County. 1892 state census. Wayne County Courthouse, Lyons, New York. FHL Microfilms 479873; 479874, item 2
 * New York. Yates County. 1892 state census. Yates County Courthouse, Penn Yan, New York. FHL Microfilm 838916

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.