Genealogical Research, an Explanation

Family history is a popular topic in America and Southold can be counted among the oldest European settlements in the New World.  If you have a genealogy question about a family member who lived in Southold, we will do our best to answer your question.  However please realize that the earliest records of the town focus on land transfers not genealogy!  

There are no government issued records of births, deaths, or marriages until 1881, when New York State mandated that municipalities keep records of vital statistics.  If you are looking for a government issued record of a birth, death, or marriage after 1881, please contact the Town Clerk’s office at (631) 765-1800 or write to the:

Southold Town Clerk

P.O. Box 1179

Southold, New York 11971

If your ancestor was from Greenport, please contact the village directly at (631) 477-2385 or write to:

Registrar

Village of Greenport

236 Third Street

Greenport, New York 11944