Local History & Genealogy

Local History & Genealogy

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Digital Materials

From books, to maps, and everything in between, you can find a variety of digitized materials from our local history collection. Partial funding for digitization was made possible through a grant from the Park Foundation to encourage sustainability through remote access of library materials.

You can also access HeritageQuest Online from our library computers to search census records, books, and documents for information about your ancestors. Want to search HeritageQuest from home? Log into your account, click on the Online Databases tab, and then select "Genealogy & Family Research" to see links for HeritageQuest and New York Heritage. 

We can provide limited research on topics of local history or interest where the information sought is unique to the collection of the library. The Tompkins County Research Service is available to individuals and/or organizations for whom it is impossible to visit the library in person.


For additional resources, visit the following websites:

The History Center in Tompkins County

Names In Stone Cemetery Maps

New York Heritage Digital Collections

Library of Congress New York State Guide
The Library of Congress web guide contains a variety of materials specifically relating to New York State, including manuscripts, documents, photos, books and maps. This site also provides links to websites such as:

The U.S. GenWeb Project
Genealogy websites for genealogical research in every county and every state of the United States.

Cayuga Heights History Project

 

Upcoming Events

This event is in the "Kids" group.

Sit! Stay! Read!

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Other
About this event::

Children are invited to practice their reading skills by sharing a story with a truly non-judgmental listener -- a dog! Reading sessions will be held Mondays from 3-4 p.m. Children who attend 6 sessions will earn a FREE book of their choice!

This event is in the "Teens" group.

Maker Mondays

4:00pm - 6:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Makerspace
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: STEAM, Technology Class
About this event::

Let's Make Something! 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, Cricut, etc...

This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner East
Age Group: Adults, Teens
Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Community Groups, Health & Wellness, Science and Nature
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 22
About this event::

Join a SNAP-Ed Nutritionist for a FREE workshop. Learn tricks to purchase and prepare fruits and vegetables to help you get your recommended amount. Registration here is appreciated but not required.

This event is in the "Adults" group.
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Tompkins Trust Company Study Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
About this event::

Join us to discuss The Arrival by Shaun Tan:

This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.

Makerspace One-on-One

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Waitlist
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Makerspace
Age Group: Adults, Teens
Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Makerspace, One-on-One Appointments
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
About this event::

What do you want to make?

This event is in the "Families" group.
This event is in the "Kids" group.
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Families, Kids
Program Type: STEAM, Other
About this event::

TCPL invites families to a weekly LEGO build night! Buckets of LEGO will be provided for participants to borrow for their builds.

This event is in the "Adults" group.

Makerspace Open Hours

5:30pm - 7:30pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Makerspace
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Makerspace
About this event::

Drop-in open hours, no registration required. Come for a short tour, or stay and work on a project - we have lots of art supplies and ideas to get you making!

This event is in the "Adults" group.

Technology Help One-on-One

12:00pm - 1:00pm
Full
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Digital Lab
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Digital Lab, One-on-One Appointments, Technology Class
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
About this event::

Book a volunteer technology tutor for help with one of the following:

- basic computer questions, such as using email, navigating the internet, or finding your files.