The Maurice Patterson Research Room
The Maurice Patterson Research Room, located inside the Interlaken Public Library, holds a significant and long-time curated genealogy and local history collection. Materials in this space are non-circulating, meaning they cannot be checked out and taken home, but are available for research any time the library is open.
We urge visitors looking to access this collection for genealogy research to contact our Library Director, Chelsea Hastings, prior to their visit. While the Director will not research with you during your visit, materials can be pulled in advance of your arrival that are relevant to your search. It also gives library staff an opportunity to speak with our village historian and have more items available for you to see during your visit. We recognize that research takes time and we hope to assist you in maximizing your visit.
Much of our local newspaper collection has been digitized for easy searching, thanks to generous support from the South Central Regional Library Council Digitization Grant and the Delavan Foundation. Use the link to search by keyword, date, or newspaper.
Search this repository of historic digitized newspapers throughout NY State. While not every newspaper in New York State has been digitized or added to this collection, it’s one of the largest online resources for newspapers in our region.
The Maurice Patterson Research Room houses 40 bins of uncataloged items. These items are largely unpublished manuscripts, notes from local town and village historians, items donated by families, or other items of interest to researchers. This PDF is searchable by keywood.
New York Genealogical and Biographical Society has digitized cemetery and bible records available for search and browsing.
Ellis Island processed more immigrants than all other US ports combined. While not all immigrants came thru Ellis Island, it can be a great tool to locate immigration records between 1820 and 1957.
Irish birth, marriage and death records from Irish ancestors.
Use your library card to search this vast genealogy database powered by ancestry.com! Don’t have a library card within the Finger Lakes Library System? Scroll down – you can apply for one online, it’s free, and you do not need to be a resident to get a library card.
FamilySearch is an online geneaology research and tree-building tool. Create a free login to access information, family trees, census records, military records, and other tools critical to genealogy research.
In 2025 the Interlaken Public Library began a property survey project to document the history and ownership of every property in the Village of Interlaken. Home survey sheets are made available as they are completed, available as a PDF.
The NY State Division for Historic Preservation worked with Cornell University students in 1979 to inventory many of the buildings and homes in and around the Village of Interlaken. Use the link to search as a guest or create an account.
Please note these surveys are not exhaustive – not all homes were surveyed in 1979
Some of the items in our genealogy collection have been digitized and are available online. Hathi Trust has a wide variety of materials and a special online collection has been created that mirrors parts of our genealogy collection here. While not every item in the library is available in Hathi Trust, all of the items that are available can be searched for keywords or names. This can be particularly helpful in discovery during research, as many times a person’s name is listed in an index of a volume you wouldn’t consider checking.
Hosted online via Zoom twice per month, join fellow genealogists for research help, tips, and resource sharing. Registration is required but the program is free and meets twice per month on the 2nd and 4th Thursday at 11am EST.
Diane Basette Nelson, renowned Village of Interlaken Historian, has compiled a blog full of research information and images.
Her original blog has been published into a volume available for purchase from the Interlaken Historical Society.
Chelsea Hastings, Library Director
director@interlakenpubliclibrary.org
Phone
(607) 532-4341
Some helpful hints
Once a part of the lands of the Hodanashonee, meaning “People of the Longhouse”, this part of New York State was once home to the Seneca and Cayuga Nation tribes. In 1779 the Sullivan Campaign devastated local populations, systematically destroying over 40 villages and agricultural resources. This facilitated the seizure of the land and resettlement.
Following the Revolutionary War, Military Tracts divided the land across the state. These lots are awarded to soldiers, with this part of the state seeing resettlement in the 1790s.
Seneca County was formed in 1804. Any records existing prior to this time may be found in Cayuga County.
Interlaken was once a part of the Town of Ovid, which consisted of the modern-day Town of Covert, Town of Lodi, and Town of Ovid (the southern half of Seneca County). In 1817 the Town of Covert was established, with the town moving to Tompkins County for a short two years. In 1819 the Town of Covert reverted to Seneca County. After some dispute, the boundaries we see today were established by 1843. These dates are important as some records may be under the label of the Town of Ovid, or Tompkins County.
Interlaken was once known as Farmer, Farmer Village, and Farmerville. Prior to the Civil War, you may see any of these names used. After the Civil War, you only see Farmer or Farmer Village. The village changed it’s name to Interlaken in 1904 to facilitate a train station.
Birth and death certificates were not required in all of New York State until 1881. Prior to this, records may exist within local municipalities or churches.
Marriage licenses were not required in all of New York State until 1908. Prior to this, marriage records may exist within local municipalities or churches.