Schuyler County, originally settled by Native Americans dating as far back as 2500 BC, and inhabited by the Seneca at the time of European arrival, was permanently settled by Europeans by 1788. The county was officially formed on April 17, 1854, from parts of Chemung, Steuben, and Tompkins counties, and its county seat is the village of Watkins Glen. Schuyler County was named for Peter Schuyler, a major Continental Army General in the Revolutionary War.
The majority of the land in Schuyler County was bought by Revolutionary War veterans, under both the New Military Tract and Watkins & Flint Purchase, to be used for harvesting grains. In the late 19th century to mid-20th century, it was also used for sheep, fruit and dairy farming, attracting immigrant populations which included Italians, Germans, and Irish.
When searching for records in Schuyler County, a great resource to use would be the Schuyler County Clerk. Holdings include a name index to deeds, leases, mortgages, judgements, federal tax liens, court proceedings, business names, and corporations; federal censuses 1860, 1870, 1880, and the New York state census 1855, 1865, 1875, for Schuyler County; some marriage records 1908-1935; and naturalization records 1864-1954.
Holdings also include deeds from 1796 (transcribed from Chemung County, towns of Catherine, Cayuta, Dix, and Montour), from 1798 (transcribed from Steuben County, towns of Orange, Reading, and Tyrone), and from 1817 (transcribed from Tompkins County, Town of Hector).
If you are searching in Montour Falls, NY, you should also check out the Montour Falls Memorial Library. Their holdings include local histories and genealogies, cemetery listings, information on local businesses, newspapers, atlases and maps, scrapbooks, school records, town records, and photographs. They offer their research services for a fee.
NYG&B members have access to all our original county guides on our website. Each guide was created by experts in the field in order to direct researchers to these local, unique resources. Learn more about the benefits of belonging to the NYG&B as a member.
You can also purchase a copy of our complete Schuyler County Guide on our website.