Research resources available at the L. Caroline Underwood Museum
The L. Caroline Underwood Museum houses the Yates County History Center’s research facilities containing genealogical information, publications, donated research and collected information on topics in Yates County's history. The Frank Swann Archives contain the Center’s manuscript and document collection.
Yates County History Center members may use the research facility for on site visits free of charge. A research fee of $5.00 per hour (minimum $5.00 per day, maximum $20.00 per day) for non-members helps support the preservation and maintenance of the research facilities. Students doing research for a school project or paper are exempted.
Research conducted by museum staff and volunteer genealogists is provided at a $20/hour fee with a one hour minimum. Inquires are accepted by mail or e-mail.
New and updated research to be added to our collection is always welcome. Please contact a staff member.
Resources available through Yates County Historian
The Yates County Historian has custody or original copies of the Penn Yan Democrat from the last half-century of publication, 1898 through 1949. These records have been indexed, are in the County's possession and are available to researchers. Penn Yan Democrat Births, Marriages & Deaths 1899-1939 Index
Research Resources at the Yates County History Center
Swann Index Place Names
Swann Vital Records Collection Indexing Examples
Yates County Place Names
Yates County Area Maps, 1790 - 1969
Including Sanborn insurance maps, wall maps with lot numbers and residences identified, and the 1876 Yates County Atlas, the only such publication for the area.
Marriage and Death Records, 1820's - 1990's
Information gleaned from area newspapers, genealogies, and other records.
Census Indexes, 1790 - 1865
Complete index for records on file at the Yates County Clerks Office.
Penn Yan and Yates County Directories, 1879 - 1990
Local History Publications
Books and pamphlets related to many facets of Yates County history.
Documentary Artifacts
Collection of materials including deeds (1792 - 1949), mortgages (1862 - 1915), diaries, almanacs, certificates, personal correspondence, etc.
Special Collections
Collections of documentary artifacts and photographs including the Women's Christian Temperance Union; Jemima Wilkinson - The Publick Universal Friend; E. Ben Knight, John S. Hollowell, Verdi Burtch, the Oliver Family, GAR, and others.
Cemetery Records
Most current and thorough information on all of Yates County cemeteries collected and published by Sherry E. Conybeare and Francis Dumas in a six volume set. These cemetery volumes are for sale in our Museum Gift Shop.
Yates County Surnames
Files containing newspaper clippings, genealogies, family history publications, and other contributed information on Yates families.
Yates County History Files
Over 800 files of collected information by subject including mills, architecture, churches, farming, industry, and others. Indexed.
School Records
Attendance records for some Yates County schools and information compiled by Ms. J. Hyler of rural Yates County schools.
Scrapbook Collections
Penn Yan Historian Catharine Spencer's, George and Oliver Sheppard's collections of photos and news clippings pertaining to Yates County history. Indexed. Over 200 Maude Stiles scrapbooks covering the 1930's through 1980's.
Microfilm Index
John Lewis Diaries & John Beddoe Letter
Diary of Sibbie Scott, 1873
The Preaching of Jemima Wilkinson by Charles Lovell Madin, 1961
The Papers of the Friend Society, 1984
Penn Yan Democrat
August 21, 1838 - October 17, 1854
January 10, 1855 - August 26, 1857
September 2, 1857 - June 27, 1860
April 1, 1874 - December 31, 1879
January 7, 1880 - December 26, 1888
January 2, 1889- December 30, 1889
January 6, 1892 - September 26, 1894
October 3, 1894 - June 30, 1897
July 7, 1897 - February 28, 1900
April 15, 1908 - October 29, 1919
November 5, 1919 - August 28, 1924
September 4, 1924 - January 7, 1926
Village of Penn Yan Minute Books, 1833 - 1992
Village of Penn Yan Reference Deeds, #1 - 2
Village of Penn Yan Assessment Rolls, 1877 - 1886, 1841 - 1867
Village of Penn Yan Vital Statistics Register
1876 - 1920
1919 - 1926
1926 - 1939
1928 - 1942
1942 - 1951
1951 - 1957
1957 - 1966
1939 - 1958
1958 - 1975
1966 - 1980
1981 - 1987
1988 - 1993
Yates County Chronicle, January - December 1869
Materials housed in our genealogical & historical vertical files are the result of donated research from many sources and intensive volunteer efforts over a number of years. We cannot be responsible for erroneous or incomplete information. Each researcher must determine the validity and pertinence of the information regarding his or her research.
Photocopying services are available for a nominal fee. Some material may be deemed too fragile for photocopying. Materials may be kept aside for returning researchers for up to five working days. After that, unless special arrangements are made, the material will be returned to the collection.
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