I'd just like to add a couple of comments to Bob's, for anyone who may still be rather new at genealogy, or who might not have done much research in New York State. In general, don't ask if there's a will, ask if there are probate records! Many people never wrote wills, but there are good records of next of kin if there were probate records, and often other interesting bits of information. In all the NY locales I've dealt with, probate records are retained by the Surrogate's Court in the county seat. Warning, though: this can be very, very expensive if you cannot go there in person! Try finding a local volunteer through the RAOGK site. Virginia Humphrey, upstate NY