CAYUGA COUNTY, NY HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

History of Cayuga County, New York by Cayuga County Historical Society (1908) – 682 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2048.AR

Collections of Cayuga County Historical Society, No. 1 by Cayuga County Historical Society (1879) – 112 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2340.AR

Collections of Cayuga County Historical Society, No. 2 by Cayuga County Historical Society (1882) – 196 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2336.AR

Collections of Cayuga County Historical Society, No. 3 by Cayuga County Historical Society (1884) – 172 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2332.AR

Collections of Cayuga County Historical Society, No. 4 by Cayuga County Historical Society (1887) – 116 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2328.AR

Collections of Cayuga County Historical Society No. 5 by Cayuga County Historical Society (1887) – 208 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2324.AR

Collections of Cayuga County Historical Society. No. 6 by Cayuga County Historical Society (1888) – 212 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2320.AR

Collections of Cayuga County Historical Society, No. 7 by Cayuga County Historical Society (1889) – 458 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2316.AR

Collections of Cayuga County Historical Society, No. 8 by Cayuga County Historical Society (1879) – 205 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2312.AR

Collections of Cayuga County Historical Society, No. 9 by Cayuga County Historical Society (1891) – 701 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2308.AR

Collections of Cayuga County Historical Society: No. 10 by Cayuga County Historical Society (1893) – 116 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2304.AR

Collections of Cayuga County Historical Society, No. 11 by Cayuga County Historical Society (1897) – 208 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2300.AR

Collections of Cayuga County Historical Society, No. 12 by Cayuga County Historical Society (1906) – 230 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2256.AR

Cayuga County, New York: A Genealogical Overview

Positioned in the heart of the Finger Lakes region, Cayuga County is defined by its two long lakes, Cayuga and Owasco, and the city of Auburn. Its history is rich with the legacy of the Cayuga Nation, its role as a key stop on the Underground Railroad, major prison reform movements, and agricultural and industrial development. For genealogists, the county’s records reflect its central location and its history as part of the Central New York Military Tract.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Cayuga County was formed early in the state’s history from the large Herkimer and Onondaga counties.

  • 1799: County Formed: Cayuga County was established on March 8, 1799.
  • Parent Entity: It was formed from Onondaga County.
  • Subsequent Formations: Its territory was used to form Seneca County (1804), Tompkins County (1817), and part of Wayne County (1823).
  • Name Origin: Named for the Cayuga Nation, one of the six nations of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy.
  • County Seat History: The village of Aurora was the first county seat. It was moved to Auburn in 1805.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: This is the homeland of the Cayuga Nation. Major Cayuga villages were located along the shores of Cayuga Lake.
  • Military Tract: Most of the county was part of the Central New York Military Tract, land set aside as bounty payments for Revolutionary War soldiers. This led to rapid settlement by veterans from New England and eastern New York after 1790.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • Auburn Prison: Established in 1816, it became famous for the “Auburn System,” a model of penal discipline that was widely adopted.
    • Underground Railroad: Auburn was a major hub of abolitionist activity and a key station on the Underground Railroad, with Harriet Tubman settling there after the Civil War.
    • Women’s Rights: The home of William H. Seward, Lincoln’s Secretary of State, whose wife Frances was a passionate advocate for abolition and women’s rights. The movement had strong roots in the region.
    • Industry: Auburn became a major industrial center in the 19th century, known for manufacturing agricultural implements, ropes, and textiles.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

  • County Courthouse: The Cayuga County Clerk’s Office is located in Auburn, NY.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth, Marriage, and Death Records: Statewide registration began in 1880. Records for the City of Auburn may exist prior to this date.
  • Essential Records and Archives:
    • Cayuga County Historian’s Office: Located in Auburn, it is a primary resource for local history and genealogy.
    • Seward House Museum: In Auburn, it offers insights into the life and times of this prominent local family.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • Cayuga County Public Library (Seymour Library): Located in Auburn, it has a local history and genealogy room.
    • Cayuga-Owasco Lakes Historical Society: Focuses on the history of the southern part of the county.
    • Frontenac Historical Society & Museum: Located in Union Springs.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Wayne County (north)
    • Onondaga County (east)
    • Cortland County (southeast)
    • Tompkins County (south)
    • Seneca County (west)

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks