The City's Bureau of Records Management handles the storage and retrieval of City records. The Records Center at 414 Andrews St., contains more than 15,000 cubic feet of the City's government records and archival materials.
Access the Collections
We cannot accept visitors on a walk-in basis.
Archive materials are available by completing an online Records Access Application.
To access genealogical records, please call the Municipal Archives at (585) 428-7331 to book an appointment.
There is a 25-cent per page fee for copies of the records you request. The charge for historical photographs depends upon the medium and size of the picture requested.
Archival Collections
The Archival Collections contain the history of Rochester's government.
The Minutes of the Proceedings of The Trustees of the Village of Rochester from 1817-1834: The first collection contains information on the first formal government of Rochester. These handwritten volumes contain the earliest laws and ordinances for Rochester. The Archives offer a unique, first-hand look at how the 19th century settlers built this community and governed themselves.
The Minutes of the Proceeding of the Rochester Common/City Council from 1834-1987: The minutes for the Rochester Common Council date back to 1834 when Rochester was first incorporated as a city. The records capture how the City continued to grow after its incorporation, and the way government responded to that growth.
Municipal Register of City Officials for 1834-1921: Two large ledgers contain the names, official titles and length of terms for all city officials during this period.
Correspondence and Office Files of Mayors, City Managers and Department Heads: These files offer a public record of the information used by the city's decision makers. The records are part of the permanent collection. The files include topics such as housing, transit, urban renewal projects and the use of Rochester's natural resources.
Register of City Streets for 1834-1921: This resource in the Archives lend a careful eye to the city's past. It is a two-volume set with records of the dates of street openings, dedications and name changes.
Register of Marriages for 1876-1907: Records for each marriage that took place within the City of Rochester during this period. Search Marriage Licenses from 1876 through 1960 with the
Historic Marriage Records Research Site.
Field Assessment Cards for 1927-1980: Information on residential and commercial property, previous owners and residents of the property. Many files include drawings and/or photographs of the buildings. Researchers can trace the history of a property using these materials.
Photographic Collection
The photographic collection in the Municipal Archives provides a visual link to Rochester's past. The collection includes: 20,000 glass plates, 1,200 glass lantern slides, and 40,000 photographic prints.
Photographs document the City's development. Subjects include: construction of sewer lines and reservoirs and bridges, the subway, the airport and planes, parks and areas around the reservoirs, street scenes, laborers and citizens.