Chemung County Death Index

Chemung County death index records present unique challenges due to extensive flood damage that has affected many local records over the years. The county operates a consolidated system where death records from towns, cities, and villages are collected and filed with the Office of Vital Records in Elmira. This makes Chemung County different from most New York counties, where records stay with individual town clerks. Death records start from 1881 and are available through both the local vital records office and the New York State Department of Health. Copies of damaged local records can sometimes be found at the state level in Albany.

Chemung County Consolidated Death Records

Chemung County uses a consolidated vital records system. Death records from all towns, cities, and villages in the county are collected and filed with the Office of Vital Records in Elmira. This is unusual in New York State, where most counties leave records with individual town clerks.

The consolidated system means you only need to contact one office for any Chemung County death record. The Office of Vital Records in Elmira is your primary contact. Records are available by mail order only. You cannot walk in and request copies in person.

Mail your request to the Chemung County Office of Vital Records. Include the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and the place of death within the county. A fee is required with each request. The office will search their files and mail copies back to you.

Flood Damage and Record Loss

Chemung County has experienced severe flooding multiple times. These floods damaged many local records. Some death records from earlier periods may be incomplete or missing due to water damage. This is a known issue for Chemung County death index research.

The good news is that the NYS DOH in Albany holds copies of death records filed from across the state. If the local Chemung County copy was destroyed by flooding, the state copy may still exist. Contact the state office at PO Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602 or call (855) 322-1022.

The state copies serve as a backup for damaged local records. When requesting a death record from Chemung County, it may be worth submitting requests to both the local office and the state DOH, especially for older records that are more likely to have been affected by flood damage.

Death Index Restrictions and Access

Chemung County death records have a 50-year restriction. Records older than 50 years are available for genealogy purposes. Birth records have a 75-year restriction. Marriage records at the county cover 1908 to 1936.

Under 10 NYCRR 35.4, the state regulates death record filing and access. Vital records are not available through FOIL requests. The Public Health Law governs who can get copies and under what terms.

Genealogy copies from the state DOH cost $22 for a 1 to 3 year search. The fee increases for wider search ranges, up to $202 for 81 to 90 years. State processing takes 8 months or more. The NYS DOH genealogy page has forms and full instructions.

State Archives Death Index

The NYS Archives in Albany has microfiche death indexes covering the entire state. These are free to view in person. The indexes include Chemung County death entries with names, dates, places, and certificate numbers.

The microfiche indexes are especially useful for Chemung County because they provide a way to verify records that may have been damaged locally. Even if the original local record was destroyed by flooding, the state index entry confirms that the death was registered. You can then use the certificate number to order a copy from the state DOH.

Death indexes become public after 50 years. The archives have indexes going back to the 1880s. For recent deaths within the 50-year restriction, access is limited to qualified applicants such as close family members.

Elmira and Chemung County Death Records Research

Elmira is the county seat and the largest city in Chemung County. Most deaths in the county occurred in or near Elmira. The city has been the center of the county's vital records system through the consolidated Office of Vital Records.

For deaths before 1881, no official vital records exist in Chemung County. Church records, cemetery records, and newspaper obituaries are the main sources for that period. The NYS Archives maintains microfiche death indexes that include Chemung County records. You can view these at the Archives in Albany or request them through interlibrary loan. The NYS Department of Health death index downloads cover later periods and can help confirm dates.

The NYS Archives microfiche indexes may also include Chemung County death entries. These indexes are available for on-site research in Albany and can help you identify records before ordering copies from the county or state.

The Chemung County Historical Society may have additional death-related records, including cemetery transcriptions and compiled genealogies. Local historical societies often hold records that supplement the official death index.

Ordering Chemung County Death Records

Copies of Chemung County death records are available by mail only from the local Office of Vital Records. Send your request with the required fee, the deceased's name, date of death, and place of death. Allow several weeks for processing.

You can also order from the state DOH. The state office takes longer but may have records that the local office lost to flood damage. The toll-free number for the state Vital Records Call Center is (855) 322-1022. Staff can answer questions about fees and processing.

Nearby Counties

Steuben County is to the west. Schuyler County is to the north. Tioga County is to the east. The county also borders Pennsylvania to the south. The Southern Tier region spans multiple counties, and families moved between them regularly. Check neighboring county death indexes if you cannot find a record in Chemung County.