Historian

April 11, 1823, by act of the New York State Legislature, Wayne County came into existence. The last county to be "set off" from Ontario County along with parts of northern Seneca County It is unique with lakeshore and fertile lake plain in the north Undulating with 100s of Drumlins in the middle Marshy with streams flowing easterly in the south.

Information available at Historian Office: 

•  Burial/cemetery data
• Census
• County maps 1853, 1858, 1874 atlas, 1904 atlas, 1937 compass map
• Hoffman Essays
• Library with county, town, church, organization histories
• Microfilmed records
• Subject files
• Surname folders
• Wills/surrogates before 1900

General Instructions

Research may be done on site at the NY Wayne County Office of the County Historian during office hours. Always check website and/or call to make sure there are no changes.  Appointment preferred so related information may be sent prior to appointment.   Thank you.

Historian Office hours (except for holidays) are: Monday 2-5; Tuesday 12-5; Wednesday 12-5; Thursday 10-4; no Friday.

If you can't come into the office, you may request the Office of the County Historian to do research, using the research request form (PDF)

State requests simply and clearly, giving pertinent information but excluding unnecessary detail.

Research request form (PDF) and deposit must accompany all requests.

Historian Database currently available by clicking here