Office of Cultural Education Announces Collaboration With FamilySearch To Expand Access to Genealogy Records

The New York State Library and New York State Archives are working with global nonprofit genealogy organization, FamilySearch International, in an exciting effort to expand access to some of the state's most important ancestry records and historical collections, the New York State Education Department's Office of Cultural Education announced today. Through this collaborative effort, thousands of records will be made available online in digital format for the first time, providing researchers with greater access to the documents from anywhere in the world.

Since January 2026, Mark and Lynne Hamp, a retired couple from Utah, have been scanning books from the New York State Library's collection for digital access on FamilySearch, the largest genealogy organization in the world. Important collections the Hamps have scanned so far include family histories, with plans to include local histories and genealogy periodicals, such as society and family association journals. As FamilySearch volunteers, the Hamps will remain in Albany until the end of the year.

New York State Librarian Lauren Moore said, "We could not be more excited to welcome Mark and Lynne. Digitizing our physical collections has always been a priority and this collaboration advances our mission to responsibly preserve and maintain these invaluable works. While we always look forward to assisting genealogists in person at the Library, providing increased online access to important reference books opens the door to new research opportunities for those unable to travel to the Capital Region."

Viviane Davis, Collections Manager at the FamilySearch Library said, "The books we are scanning at the New York State Library are especially significant because they preserve materials that are both rare and deeply rooted in the local communities. The collection includes many unique local family histories, as well as county and local histories, many of which are not widely available elsewhere and provide invaluable insight into regional heritage, migration patterns, and community development. By digitizing these works, we are not only safeguarding fragile, often one-of-a-kind resources but also making them more accessible to researchers, genealogists, and the public. These books will be added to FamilySearch's digital collection online, ensuring that these important historical narratives remain available for generations to come."

Lynne Hamp said, "I have always felt a connection with American History, so being in New York is a delight. I love working with these old, historic books and have developed an appreciation for strangers who recorded their family histories because they understood the importance of preserving this information for future generations. Mark and I are truly blessed to do this work."

Meanwhile through a separate project, nearly a quarter of a million pages of previously microfilmed records in the New York State Archives' collection have been made available online for the first time thanks to additional digitization work. These documents include colonial deeds and wills, land grants to Revolutionary War veterans, and convictions of British loyalists.

New York State Archivist Brian Keough said, "These newly available online documents increase the amount of free online resources available to educators, teachers, scholars and students across New York State and beyond, connecting them to valuable primary sources. It is very exciting to know that these thousands of pages of online resources will also assist the genealogy and family history community."

FamilySearch sees an average of almost 25 million website visits each month. Users with a free login have access to 5.75 billion digital images, almost 17 billion searchable names, and more than 651,000 digital books.

About the New York State Library

The New York State Library, established in 1818, is the largest state library system in the nation and one of the largest research libraries in North America. It oversees a vast network of more than 7,000 libraries statewide. Collections are made available onsite and through a robust interlibrary loan program. The Library's mission is advanced through several key divisions, including the Research Library, which houses a collection of over 20 million items, the Talking Book and Braille Library, and the Division of Library Development. The Library preserves and maintains invaluable historical collections and works, and serves as a Regional Depository for federal publications. Additionally, the State Library is the official repository of New York State government publications, ensuring their enduring preservation and accessibility for future generations.

For more information, please visit the New York State Library and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

About the New York State Archives

Established in 1971, the New York State Archives has amassed one of the most extensive and historically significant state archive collections in the nation. The Archives manages, preserves, and provides open access to over 250 million colonial and New York State records dating back to the 1630s. In addition, the Archives provides records and archival management services to nearly 4,500 counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts, and other local governments across New York State. The Archives offers technical assistance, training, and grants to non-government repositories through the Documentary Heritage Program and Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY). Researchers can access public records through the Archives' online Digital Collections or by appointment on the 11th floor of the Cultural Education Center. For more information, please visit the New York State Archives website.

About FamilySearch

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. We are a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use our records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 125 years. People access our services and resources free online at FamilySearch or through over 6,500 FamilySearch centers and affiliates in 129 countries, including the main FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.