'Tea with Dee' Monthly Lectures on Local History
Join Local History Librarian Dee Robinson the first Tuesday of the month at 2pm for a lecture on local history! Recording of the lectures are found on the Hoag Library YouTube page.
 
Online Genealogy Resources
Hoag Library provides access to several valuable genealogy databases:

• Ancestry Library Edition: Explore billions of historical records, including census, vital, military, immigration, and other genealogy records. Available for use inside the library.

• FamilySearch Affiliate Library: Access additional FamilySearch records and resources available through participating affiliate libraries.

• HeritageQuest: Search census records, city directories, family histories, genealogical books, and other historical records.

• Ancestry.com New York: New York residents can access digitized New York family-history records for free. Learn more through the New York State Archives.
   

Books: Circulating and Reference

Section 929: Basic how-to genealogy books
Section 970: Local history

The Curtis Civil War Collection

Mr. William J. Curtis, Civil War history collector, donated his extensive collection to the library. The Curtis Civil War collection has a particular emphasis on Confederate and Southern perspectives on the Civil War, reflecting Mr. Curtis's interest in collecting materials from the Southern viewpoint.

Local History Room
This collection generally covers the history of Western New York and more specifically covers Orleans County history. It includes local histories written as early as 1874, which have indexes. It also includes gazetteers, directories, atlases, and phone books. In addition are a collection of Albion High School yearbooks from 1903 to present.

Microfilm
Our microfilm collection includes historic newspapers, census records, church records, and selected magazines. The newspaper collection consists primarily of the Albion Advertiser, Orleans Republican, and various smaller, short-lived newspapers published throughout Orleans County. Many historic New York newspapers have also been digitized and are available to search online through New York State Historic Newspapers. 
We also have microfilm back issues of Newsweek, TIME, American Artist, and U.S. News & World Report.
Looking for an obituary? Our newspapers are not indexed, so you will need to know at least the month and year of death to begin your search.

Oral Histories
In the 1970s and 1980s, the Orleans Historical Association conducted audiotape interviews of many Orleans County residents. These tapes have been transcribed and also been transferred to audio discs, which are both available along with an index. Many of the transcripts have also been digitized and are available online through the Cobblestone Museum’s Oral History Collection.

State-of-the-Art Technology
ScanPro® 2500 All-In-One™ Microfilm Scanner: The versatile ScanPro 2500 All-In-One is both an on-demand reader, printer, scanner for research and a conversion scanner for roll film, fiche and jacketed fiche.  *In Memory of Roger LaMont*

CZUR M3000 Pro Book Scanner: Digitize books, photographs, and other delicate materials quickly and easily. *Generously donated by Sally Mathes*
 
Digitized Maps & Atlases
The New York Public Library Digital Collections includes a selection of digitized historical maps and atlases related to Orleans County and Western New York. These materials can provide valuable information about historic roads, property, communities, businesses, and other features of the area.
Browse Orleans County maps and atlases in the NYPL Digital Collections

Genealogy
Genealogical resources include basic information on New England families. Some of the genealogical records included are volumes of the Connecticut Nutmegger, Mayflower Families, Compendium of American Genealogy, The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Records, and Vital Records for several towns in Massachusetts to name a few.

Local Genealogy
Local Genealogies completed by other researchers are included in this collection and include an index of names.

Orleans County History Sites
Orleans County, NY Genweb
Orleans County Almshouse Burials
Sampubco: Indexes, wills, naturalizations, and guardianships for NY state and several other states.
Heritage Quest Online 
Ancestry.com New York- Free access to Ancestry.com New York is available to New York State residents.
Historic Maps
NYS Historic Newspapers - free online access to a wide range of newspapers chosen to reflect New York's unique history
New York Heritage Digital Collections- Discover photographs, letters, diaries, maps, directories, artifacts, oral histories and more that present a glimpse into the history and culture of what is today New York State. These items have been contributed by over 430 libraries, museums, archives, and cultural institutions.
Names listed on the Soldiers and Sailor Monument in Mt. Albion Cemetery

Other General Genealogical Sites
Slave Voyages 
Findagrave
Family Search
Rootsweb
Genforum: Forums for surnames, states, counties, etc.
Cyndi’s List: List of other genealogical sites online

Community Resources
Albion is the county seat of Orleans and offers other resources to researchers.

County Offices
Located on Courthouse Square are the County Courthouse and the County Clerk’s office. In the courthouse, you will find access to the Surrogate’s Office, which houses will and probate papers. At the County Clerk’s Office you have access to deeds, plat and survey maps, original census books, and more. The County Historian’s Office is located at 34 East Park St. and can be reached at 585-589-4174.

Historians
New York State has a unique network of appointed village, city, town, county, and borough historians. Orleans County’s list is available at the County Historians Website

Other Associations and Societies

The Orleans County Historical Association
P.O. Box 1285
Albion, NY 14411

The Cobblestone Society Museum
The museum has a library called the Cobblestone Resource Center located in the Brick House immediately west of the Cobblestone Church.
P.O. Box 363
Albion, NY 14411
585-589-9013

DAR
249 North Main Street
Albion, NY 14411

Out-of-Town Researchers
You can e-mail Local History Librarian Dee Robinson
You can also mail questions to the Hoag Library, 134 South Main St., Albion, NY 14411, attention to Dee Robinson.

Genealogy How-To Resources for Beginners
Copyright Fundamentals for Genealogy
Cyndi’s List Beginners
Ancestry.com