SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Sullivan County, New York: A Genealogical Overview

Nestled in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains in southeastern New York, Sullivan County is a region of dramatic historical contrasts. Its 19th-century identity was forged by the rugged work of tanners, lumbermen, and canal workers who carved a living from its dense forests and river valleys. In the 20th century, it transformed into a world-famous resort destination known as the “Borscht Belt,” a vibrant cultural hub for generations of New York City families. For genealogists, researching Sullivan County involves exploring records of early pioneers, canal boomtowns, and the massive wave of immigration that fueled its legendary resort era.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Sullivan County’s origins in a much larger colonial county is key to locating the earliest settler records.

  • 1809: County Formed: Sullivan County was created on March 27, 1809.
  • Parent County: The county was formed from the southern portion of Ulster County. Any genealogical or land research for individuals in this area prior to 1809 must be conducted in the extensive colonial-era records of Ulster County, located in Kingston, NY.
  • Subsequent Formations: The boundaries of Sullivan County have remained generally stable since its formation.
  • Name Origin: The county was named for Major General John Sullivan, a significant figure in the American Revolutionary War who led a major 1779 military campaign against the Iroquois, which passed near the region.
  • County Seat History: Monticello has been the county seat since the county’s inception. The original courthouse was replaced over the years. A catastrophic fire in 1909 destroyed much of the village, including the courthouse. While the current courthouse was built shortly after, the fire resulted in the significant loss of many early county records, a critical fact for any genealogist researching the area.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The region was the ancestral territory of the Lenape (Delaware) people, particularly the Munsee band, who lived along the Delaware River and its tributaries.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: Post-Revolutionary settlement was slow due to the rugged terrain. The county’s early economy was dominated by extractive industries, including lumbering, sawmills, and stone quarrying. The vast hemlock forests fueled a massive leather tanning industry that was a dominant economic force for much of the 19th century.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • The Delaware and Hudson (D&H) Canal: Opened in 1828, the D&H Canal ran through the southern part of the county, transporting anthracite coal from Pennsylvania to the Hudson River. This waterway brought commerce, jobs, and Irish and German immigrant laborers to the area, creating canal towns along its route.
    • The Railroad Era: The arrival of the New York, Ontario and Western Railway (O&W) in 1873 was transformative. The railroad made the county’s scenic beauty accessible to New York City residents, supplanting the canal and paving the way for the tourism boom.
    • The Borscht Belt Era: From the 1920s through the 1970s, Sullivan County became the heart of a vast resort area catering primarily to Jewish families. Famous grand hotels like Grossinger’s and the Concord, along with hundreds of smaller hotels and bungalow colonies, defined the county’s culture and economy for half a century.
    • The Woodstock Festival: In August 1969, the iconic Woodstock Music and Art Fair was held on Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in the Town of Bethel, placing Sullivan County at the center of American counter-culture history.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Research in Sullivan County requires creativity and a reliance on multiple sources due to the 1909 courthouse fire.

  • County Government Center: Located at 100 North Street, Monticello, NY 12701.
    • Sullivan County Clerk’s Office: This is the primary repository for land records (deeds and mortgages) from 1809, which are often a vital substitute for other lost records. It also holds court records, naturalization papers, and marriage licenses. Researchers must be aware that many 19th-century court filings were destroyed in the 1909 fire.
    • Sullivan County Surrogate’s Court: Manages probate records, including wills and estate administrations. While some early records were lost in the fire, the surviving dockets and files are held here.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth, Marriage, and Death Records: Statewide registration began in 1880. For records dated after 1880, certified copies must be obtained from the clerk of the specific town or village where the event occurred. The New York State Department of Health in Albany also holds copies of records outside of New York City.
    • For vital records before 1880, researchers must rely on alternative sources such as church registers, cemetery inscriptions, family Bibles, and newspaper obituaries.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • Sullivan County Historical Society: Located in Hurleyville, its History and Archives Center is an essential resource. It holds an extensive collection of local histories, photographs, maps, family papers, and other documents that can help fill the gaps left by the courthouse fire.
    • Town Historians: Every town in New York State has a designated historian who is often an expert on local families and repositories of unique local records. They can be an invaluable contact.
    • Local Libraries: Public libraries throughout the county, such as those in Monticello, Liberty, and Callicoon, have local history collections.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Delaware County, NY (north)
    • Ulster County, NY (east)
    • Orange County, NY (south)
    • Pike County, Pennsylvania (southwest)
    • Wayne County, Pennsylvania (west)

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks