Visit the Genealogy Collection at Steele Memorial Library to explore and research!
We have a wide variety of materials in print and on film.
Local Yearbooks
Our yearbook collection is always a popular resource for genealogists and others. Steele Memorial Library has been collecting yearbooks from the five area high schools since 1909. We are missing several years of print versions and will happily accept donations of local print yearbooks.
Older yearbooks are available online in digitized formats through the NYHeritage Digital Yearbook Collection.
Local Cookbooks
The cookbook collection focuses on titles from Elmira, Chemung County, the Southern Tier, and the Northern Tier of PA. We will gladly accept donations of any cookbooks not in our collection!
Books and Records
These resources are located in the Microforms Department. After use, place film in the designated box (please do not return the films to the drawers, the Staff will do so.)
- New York State County Histories
- Elmira City Directories: 1860, 1868, 1876-1877, 1886-1975
- NYS Poorhouse Records
- Local Newspapers: 1835 to present
- New York Times: 1851 to present
- U.S. Federal Census:
- 1790 thru 1880 for all states 1890 (special census only)
- 1900 – 1930 New York and Pennsylvania only
- New York State Census: Chemung County: 1855, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925 (the 1825 and 1835 Chemung County NYS Census are in book format)
- Mortality Schedules:
- 1850 thru 1880 New York
- 1850 thru 1880 Pennsylvania
- Corbin Collection: New England Research
- Cemeteries of Bradford County, PA
- Early Catholic Church Records
- 1848 to 1910 Includes most Chemung County churches and some from Addison, Waverly, Trumansburg and Watkins Glen.
- Upstate New York Vital Statistics Index. Births, 1880-1936, Marriages 1880-1961, Deaths 1880-1961.
- Periodicals: ask Library Staff for assistance
- Cemetery Records of Steuben County, New York
- US Federal Census Index 1870: New York and Pennsylvania (partial)
We have some unique indexes available in our printed card catalog:
- Local History File
- Chemung County Census: 1855 New York State Census
- Obituary file: 1982 – August 1996
- Surname file: Name Index and queries of individuals researching
Some of the subjects that our books cover: Immigrants and Emigrants, Pension Rolls, American Quakers, Huguenots, Palatine families, Mayflower families, New England Colonies, Heraldry and Crests, American Revolution, Civil War, Passenger Lists, … and numerous other subjects.
Some of the States that are covered in our collection: (various information given) New England States, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and more. We also have some Canadian information.
Books in the Genealogical reference section of the library are open to the public. (all of the materials are for reference use in the DEPARTMENT ONLY and DO NOT CIRCULATE).
- Numerous “how-to” genealogy books
- Local Marriage & Death records (taken from local newspaper)
- Local Histories
- Cemeteries of Chemung County, NY (most)
- Chemung County Historical Society Journals with Index
- Family Histories
- State Histories (various states)
- Military Histories (Indian Wars, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, World War I & II)
- War of the Rebellion, Series I, II, III, IV, & Index
- Elmira City Directories:1857 to present (some early editions missing)
- Corning City Directories: 1905 to present (some editions missing)
- Local High School Yearbooks (not a complete collection)
- New England Historical & Genealogical Register with Index
- New York Genealogical & Biographical Record with Index
- DAR Lineage Books with Index (not complete)
- New York Times Index: 1851 to present
- U.S. Federal Census Indexes: 1790 – 1850 for all states (some may vary) 1860 & 1870 – New York and Pennsylvania only