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 "Families" group
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group

Family Storytime

11:00am–11:30am
Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Storytimes
About this event::

Children of all ages and their caregivers are invited to celebrate reading and build their early literacy skills at Family Storytime. We meet each Saturday for stories, songs and hands-on fun.

This event is in the "Families" group
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group
This event is in the "Kids" group

Sing Me a Story! Read Me a Song! with John Simon & Cal Walker

1:00pm–1:45pm
Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, Kids
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner Full
Age Group: Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, Kids
Program Type: Music
About this event::

Community reading and singing heroes, John Simon and Cal Walker, will be sharing stories that are songs, and songs that are stories in a concert especially for young children and their families at TCPL in the Borg Warner Community Room.&

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

Minis Painting Party

1:00pm–3:00pm
Adults, Teens
Full
Registration Required
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Makerspace
Age Group: Adults, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Makerspace
Registration Required
About this event::

We will distribute pre-made 3D printed minis figures and let patrons paint them, offering advice when applicable. 

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

Makerspace One-on-One

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

What do you want to make?

This event is in the "Kids" group

Sit! Stay! Read!

3:00pm–4:00pm
Kids
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner Full
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

Teen Maker Monday

4:00pm–6:00pm
Teens
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Makerspace
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Makerspace
About this event::

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

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

Makerspace One-on-One

11:00am–12:00pm
Adults, Teens
Waitlist
Registration Required
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Makerspace
Age Group: Adults, Teens
Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Makerspace, One-on-One Appointments
Registration Required
About this event::

What do you want to make?

This event is in the "Adults" group

Technology Basics One-on-One

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

Need help with basic technology topics, such as using email, searching the internet, or borrowing eBooks?  Make an appointment for one-on-one help from a TCPL librarian or partnering technology tutor.