Western New York Historian Project
About the Project
What is the Western New York Historian Project?
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In the summer of 2020, we reached out to the village, town, city, and county historians of the eight counties of WNY and asked them to participate in the society's Western New York Historian Project. We did this by emailing or mailing a questionnaire to each of the historians for whom we had an email or address listed. We hoped they would share with us their response to our questions.
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What is the purpose of this Project?
We wanted to learn from the historians, in their own words, about
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their job and role as the guardians of their municipality's history
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the historic records and collections within their village, town, city or county
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the means they use to provide this information to the community at large
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their goals, as historian, for the next four years, and
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how, and in what ways, WNYGS could help them in achieving these goals.
Image: Genesee County History Department Research Library (Batavia, NY)
What have we learned so far?
The WNY historians are very dedicated and loyal keepers of history. Some are new to the task, while others have been in their role for as many as 45 years. They often fulfill their duties with little or no pay; even office and storage space can be limited, if any. Some historians work in conjunction with the county and town historical museums and societies, as well as with local government officials. Municipality websites may have sections devoted to local history and often include material presented by their local historians.
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What is our goal as a result of the Historian Project?
Our goal is to share with our membership what we have learned through this project in order to help them with their family research of their WNY ancestors. It is our hope that in addition to learning more about the history of the eight counties of WNY, our membership, as well as others in the community, will volunteer with these local historians and societies in the preservation of these important and often irreplaceable pieces of family and local history.
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The mission of the Western New York Genealogical Society is to preserve public and historical records, and to encourage interest, knowledge, and research in the WNY region's rich genealogical heritage. This is a mission we share with all local historians across WNY.
News & Events of Interest In
Western New York
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Erie County:​
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University at Buffalo: Collection Exhibition & C.K. Huang Lecture - "The People of the Erie County Poorhouse"
Thurs., May 28, 2026 5:30-7:30 p.m.
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Register for this free In-Person (sold-out) and Virtual Event:
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The Robert L. Brown History of Medicine Collection hosts the C.K. Huang (2025-2026) Lecture “The People of the Erie County Poorhouse”, presented by Dr. Rosanne L. Higgins and Jennifer Liber-Raines.
This event will be coupled with an opening reception in celebration of our newest exhibit, “Foundations of an Institution: The Erie County Almshouse and UB’s Main Street Campus, 1850-1926.”
The C.K. Haung Lecture begins at 6:00PM.
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Speakers: Dr. Rosanne L. Higgins and Jennifer Liber-Raines
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Lecture description:
The second Erie County Poorhouse complex operated on Main Street in Buffalo from 1851-1926. It was a multi-function complex that served as an almshouse, insane asylum, and hospital. Over the course of its history, changing social attitudes led to legislation that targeted removing specific demographics, such as children and the mentally ill. These policies contributed to the transformation of the institution from one that offered temporary respite to those who experienced hardship to a more permanent home for the elderly, sick and disabled. Its occupants, skilled and unskilled laborers, domestic servants, and shopkeepers, tell the story of a burgeoning city during the Industrial Revolution.
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Society-Published Historian Profiles
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Click title to download and view the PDF.
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The Role of a Town Historian: "In Her Own Words"
WNYGS JOURNAL - Vol. 47, No. 4, p. 145-150
By Marie-Cecile O. Tidwell, PhD and
Jeanne Mest, Town of Sheldon Historian
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Historic "Gems" of Genesee County
WNYGS JOURNAL - Vol. 48, No. 1, p. 7-12
By Marie-Cecile O. Tidwell, PhD
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WNYGS JOURNAL - Vol. 48, No. 2, p. 52-56
By Marie-Cecile O. Tidwell, PhD
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The Historians & Treasures of Cattaraugus County
WNYGS JOURNAL - Vol. 48, No. 3, p. 76-81
By Marie-Cecile O. Tidwell, PhD
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Orleans County: Its Historians and Treasures
Western New York Genealogist, Vol. 49, No. 1, p. 13-16
by Marie-Cecile O. Tidwell, PhD
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Wyoming County: Its Historians and Treasures
Western New York Genealogist, Vol. 49, No. 2, p. 35-42
by Marie-Cecile O. Tidwell, PhD
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Allegany County: Its Historians and Treasures
Western New York Genealogist, Vol. 49, No. 3, p. 52-56
by Marie-Cecile O. Tidwell, PhD
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Niagara County: Its Historians and Treasures
Western New York Genealogist, Vol. 50, No. 1, p. 13-20
by Marie-Cecile O. Tidwell, PhD
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Chautauqua County: Its Historians and Treasures
Western New York Genealogist, Vol. 50, No. 2, p. 32-40
by Marie-Cecile O. Tidwell, PhD
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