MOUNT MORRIS, N.Y., Nov. 25, 2025 — For the first time, researchers can now search all public records held by the County Historian’s Office through its newly launched online catalog.
The catalog describes almost 50,000 archival items in the Historian’s Office, including photos, maps, letters, diaries, and books, dating from the 1700s to the present. Previously, researchers had to contact the Historian’s Office to find out if it held a particular photo or document.
The catalog has been added to the Historian’s existing record search platform, which is already familiar to many seasoned researchers. This one-stop local history hub lets visitors look up materials by keyword and filter by year, record type, and subject. The search results are currently text-only, and the Historian’s Office is working on linking digital items to improve access to Livingston County’s collective history.
“This launch represents months of work to make sure our catalog was ready to be searched, 24/7, right from a patron’s home or library,” said County Historian Holly Watson. “It’s an enormous expansion to our online search offerings, and we couldn’t be happier to provide this service.”
The County Historian’s Record Index and Catalog is available at https://livingstoncounty.inmagic.com/Presto/home/home.aspx. The catalog is updated daily, and name indexes on the search site are continually expanded. This Historian’s Office encourages online visitors to check back regularly and share feedback to improve the search experience.
As always, researchers are encouraged to contact the County Historian’s Office to review materials in person, request digital files, or for assistance with projects. The Historian’s Office provides these services free of charge.
For more about the Historian’s Office and nuggets about local history, visit https://www.livingstoncountyny.gov/162/County-Historian.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.