Cities, Towns, Villages, Hamlets and Postal Zones

Here is some basic information on the physical and political
divisions of New York State.  This is crucial information for
researchers in order to determine where one might find certain
records.

This is from Walter Greenspan - Soyamaven@aol.com –
Used with permission.

NYS Geographic Glossary

Cities, Towns, Villages, Hamlets and Postal Zones in
New York State

New York State is divided into counties.

County

A county is a municipal corporation, a subdivision of the state,
created to perform state functions; a "regional" government. 
All counties are divided into cities, towns and Indian
reservations.

City

A city is a unique governmental entity with its own special
charter.  Cities are not sub-divided, except into neighborhoods,
which are informal geographic areas.

Town

A town is a municipal corporation and encompasses all territory
within the state except that within cities or Indian reservations. 
Towns can be sub-divided into villages and hamlets.

Village

A village is a general purpose municipal corporation formed
voluntarily by the residents of an area in one or more towns
to provide themselves with municipal services.  The pattern of
village organization is similar to those of a city.  A village
is divided into neighborhoods, which are informal geographic
areas.

Hamlet

A hamlet is an unincorporated area in one or more towns that
is governed at-large by the town(s) it is in.  A hamlet is
divided into neighborhoods, which are informal geographic areas.

Postal Zone "City" and "Town"

A postal zone "City" and "Town" is an administrative district
established by the U.S. Postal Service to deliver the mail. 
Postal zone "City" and "Town" may not (but are encouraged to)
conform to municipal or community borders.  Thus, postal zone
location does not always determine city, village or hamlet location.

Please be aware:  In many areas of New York State, the problem
of non-conforming postal zones leads to a situation where the
majority of places have a different community name in their
mailing address than the community where that place is actually
located.

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Dick