Discover resources to explore the history of your community, trace your family roots, and access historic newspapers and archival collections. These materials are available through OWWL libraries, state, and national repositories.
🧬Genealogy Resources
Ancestry Library Edition
Available free at OWWL libraries. Remote access is no longer available as of Dec 31, 2021.
- Visit your local OWWL library to access.
- Use a library computer or your own device.
- Visit Ancestry Library Edition
- Optional: Save your work with a flash drive.
Family Search
- Free genealogy research service from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. No religious content or proselytizing involved.
- Accessible anywhere with internet: Family Search.
- Similar records to Ancestry Library Edition.
📰Historic Newspapers
- OWWL libraries are working to digitize local newspapers. Collections are available across library, state, and national repositories.
- Use our OWWL Historical Newspapers Index to see publications with digital content and catalog links.
Library Repositories
- Digital Archives of the OWWL Library System – Livingston, Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming Counties
- Clyde-Savannah Public Library – Wayne County (Clyde focus)
- Perry Public Library – Wyoming County (Perry focus)
- Sodus Community Library – Wayne County (Sodus focus)
- Stevens Memorial Library & The Attica Historical Society – Attica News, cemetery plots, scrapbooks
- Williamson Public Library – Wayne County (Williamson focus)
State Repositories
- New York State Historic Newspapers – NYS-wide, including Geneva, Macedon, Newark, and Walworth-Seely libraries
National Repositories
- Chronicling America – U.S. newspapers, including NYS papers mainly from New York City
📦 Archival Collections
Library Repositories
- Geneva Public Library – Historic photos, City Directories 1862-2000
- Macedon Public Library – Bullis Family Collection photographs
- Naples Library – Civil War letters, historic postcards, diaries, scrapbooks, manuscripts
- Newark Public Library – Newark history and library materials
State Repositories
- New York Heritage – Historical, scholarly, and cultural materials from NYS libraries, museums, and archives
- New York State Archives Digital Collections – Official state records and historical documents
- New York State Library Digital Collections – Government and historical materials
💡Quick Tips & Resources
- Bring a flash drive when using library computers.
- Start with names, locations, and dates for genealogy research.
- Explore historic newspapers to uncover local events, obituaries, and advertisements.
- Ask library staff for guidance—they’re local history experts!