located on the 2nd Floor, Rundel Memorial Building, (585) 428-8370
Local History and Genealogy Blog
New Program!
Rochester's Rich History
Monthly talks on a variety of local history topics.
2-3 p.m. Every 3rd Sunday of the month
in the Rundel Auditorium, 3rd floor, Rundel Memorial Building
View the schedule Details: January 2013 February 2013 March 2013
Family Detectives Club Weekly genealogy workshops every Sunday 
from 1:15-1:45 p.m. in the Division.
Schedule:
October 2012 November 2012 December 2012
January 2013 February 2013 March 2013
April 2013
The map below gives an overview of the Local History and Genealogy web site click on it for a full size view
The Local History and Genealogy Division offers expert in-person reference service, as well as telephone and email service for quick reference questions. All materials in the Local History and Genealogy Division are restricted to use within the department, but a significant and growing portion of the collection is available online. Also, as many materials are old and fragile, photocopying is restricted, but patrons may bring in equipment to photograph items.
The Local History and Genealogy Division and its partners have digitized photographs, books, manuscripts, maps, directories, postcards, and other items for easy access and for the preservation of original print material held within selected local collections in Monroe County. The thousands of items found here represent the rich history of the Rochester region. They are of interest to anyone researching local history and genealogy. Collections throughout the county can now be searched at one online location, thanks to the cooperation of many partner institutions.
The Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County boasts one of the premier collections of local historical and genealogical materials in western New York, while smaller municipal libraries have built collections of materials relevant to their particular towns.
The sections listed below are links to extensive materials held by the Central Library's Local History and Retrieval Divisions and by various town libraries.
The information provided by these various resources will help researchers find answers to questions about the history of Rochester and Monroe County, and will aid genealogy researchers looking for family information. What is provided online, however, is only a very small part of all the collections held at the libraries in Rochester and Monroe County. The information here will help you get started, but visiting our libraries will speed you on your way.
Genealogy Resources - a variety of helpful tools and guides for researching family history and finding information on past residents of Rochester and Monroe County
Local History Resources - various resources covering the history of Rochester and western New York
Rochester Images - historic and contemporary photographs, maps, postcards and other memorabilia from Rochester and Monroe County
Digitized Collections - historic books, newspapers and magazines of local interest that can be viewed online or downloaded and printed
Pathfinders - guides to special topics
News - includes information on new items available online