Access Cattaraugus County Death Index

Cattaraugus County death index records go back to 1881, when New York State started requiring vital records registration. The county name comes from a Seneca Indian word, and the area has deep roots in western New York. Death records are not held by the Cattaraugus County Clerk. Instead, town clerks in each municipality serve as local registrars, and the New York State Department of Health maintains copies at the state level. Land records at the county date back to 1808, but death records follow a separate system. Parent counties for Cattaraugus were Allegany and Genesee, so records from before the county's formation may be filed under those names.

Cattaraugus County Death Records Overview

The Cattaraugus County Clerk maintains land records from 1811 and court records. Birth and death records are not part of the county clerk's holdings. This is standard for New York counties outside of New York City. The clerk's office can direct you to the right registrar for vital records.

Death records in Cattaraugus County are filed with the town clerk where the death took place. Each town has its own clerk who registers deaths, births, and marriages. To find a death record, you need to know the town or city where the person died. If you do not know the location, the statewide death index can help narrow it down.

The county was formed from parts of Allegany and Genesee counties. Records from before Cattaraugus County existed may be filed under those parent counties. For very early records, check both Allegany and Genesee county holdings.

How to Search the Cattaraugus County Death Index

Start with the statewide death index if you do not know the exact town. The NYS Archives has microfiche indexes that are free to view in person at their Albany location. The indexes list the name, date, place of death, and a certificate number. You can use that number to order a copy.

If you know the town, contact the town clerk directly. Most Cattaraugus County town clerks have records from 1881 forward. Hours vary by town. Many rural clerks have limited office hours, so call ahead before visiting. A phone call can also confirm whether the record you need is on file.

The NYS DOH Vital Records Section is another option. They hold copies of all death records filed in New York State from the 1880s forward. Write to PO Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602 or call (855) 322-1022.

State Death Index and Fees

Genealogy copies of death records from the state cost $22 for a 1 to 3 year search. The fee goes up as you widen the search range. A search covering 81 to 90 years costs $202. If you know the exact year, you save money. Processing time at the state office is 8 months or longer.

Death indexes become public after 50 years under state rules. The NYS DOH genealogy page has full details on fees, forms, and what information you need to include in your request. Under 10 NYCRR 35.4, the state sets rules for death record filing and access.

Vital records are not available through FOIL requests. This is a point of confusion for many researchers. Death records have their own access rules under the Public Health Law, separate from general government records.

Local Registrars in Cattaraugus County

Cattaraugus County has many small towns spread across a large rural area. Each town clerk acts as the local registrar of vital statistics. The clerk files death records for events that happen within the town's borders. Some of the larger communities include Olean, Salamanca, and Ellicottville.

For deaths that occurred in Olean, contact the Olean City Clerk. For deaths in Salamanca, contact the Salamanca City Clerk. Each office sets its own hours and fees for copies. Local registrars are usually faster than the state office for issuing copies of death records.

If the person died at a hospital or care facility, the death was registered in the town where that facility is located, not necessarily where the person lived. This distinction matters when searching the Cattaraugus County death index. A resident of one town may have a death record filed in a different town.

Genealogy Research Tips

Cattaraugus County is in western New York. The area attracted settlers from New England and immigrants from Europe in the 1800s. Death records from the late 1800s may have spelling variations in names, especially for immigrant families. Try alternate spellings when searching the death index.

For deaths before 1881, official records may not exist. Church records, cemetery records, and newspaper obituaries are the best sources for that period. The NYS Archives has microfiche death indexes that cover Cattaraugus County. You can view them at the Archives in Albany or request them through interlibrary loan. The NYS Department of Health death index downloads are also useful for finding western New York records.

Land records at the county clerk's office date back to 1808. Probate and estate records can provide death dates when vital records are missing. Cross-referencing land transfers with death records is a proven genealogy technique that works well in rural counties like Cattaraugus.

The NYS Archives microfiche indexes are a useful resource for Cattaraugus County death entries. These indexes cover state-registered deaths and are available for on-site research in Albany. The NYS DOH can also process mail requests for genealogy copies of death records.

Nearby Counties

Allegany County is to the east. Chautauqua County is to the west. Erie County is to the north. The county also borders Pennsylvania to the south. Families in western New York often moved between these counties, and some Seneca Nation territories span county lines. Check neighboring county death indexes if you cannot find a record in Cattaraugus County.