Genealogy & Local History

Our collection of newspapers is not indexed. If you request genealogical research assistance, we require that you have narrowed the approximate date of birth, marriage or death to within a two-week span. We will try our best to fulfill your request, time permitting. To make a genealogical research request or local history research request, click here.

Patrons can also access HeritageQuest Online, a subscription service available only at the library with a Southeast Steuben County Library card. This site provides access to Census records from 1790-1930, full texts of more than 28,000 family and local histories, an index of more than 2 million genealogy articles, Freedman's Bank, Revolutionary War records and the U.S. Serial Set. Heritage Quest access is funded with a generous grant from The Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes.

Get ready for your exam

Are your preparing for an exam? Check out the Learning Express Library. This practice test site offers practice exams for those in elementary school all the way up to the Graduate Record Exam. There are also practice exams and tutorials for: those taking the citizenship exam, GED and much more.