This is an annotated list of resources specific to the Dryden area that are available to local historians and genealogists. They are divided into online resources, and materials available in the Southworth Library and at the Dryden Historical Society.

Online Sources

Cyndi’s List, located at http://cyndislist.com, is a large genealogical gateway site to many genealogical sources. These are organized both by topics, and in a general alphabetical listing. Here the genealogist can find links to types of records, how-to guides, and for our purposes, records covering specific locations. The following links branching from Cyndi’s List pertain to genealogical research in Tompkins County:

• http://www.census-online.com/links/NY/Tompkins/ 1810, 1820, 1880  Dryden Federal census available online as well as 1883 pensioners on the roll from Dryden. These include the full information from the census returns, (Name of head of household and ages and sex of those in the home for the 1810 and 1820 censuses, and name, race, age and sex of all members of the household in 1880) and certificate number, name of pensioner, post-office address, cause of which pensioned, monthly rate and date of original allowance for the 1883 pensioner records for Dryden. Information concerning other nearby towns in Tompkins County can also be found at this site. (Accessed 30 June 2003)

(Note: the 1810 and 1820 Federal Census data is also available in hardcopy at the Southworth Library in the Reference Room, Local History Section 974.7 SAN. This hardcopy contains an index to names.)

• http://www.vitalrec.com/ny.html is a “where to write” document that is especially helpful as it also provides specifics such as cost for genealogy requests. (Accessed 30 June 2003)

• NYTOMPKI. This is a listserv for anyone with a genealogical interest in Tompkins County, New York. To subscribe send "subscribe" to nytompki-l-request@rootsweb.com (mail mode) or nytompki-d-request@rootsweb.com (digest mode). (Accessed 30 June 2003)

FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org) is the database maintained by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most of its databases are searchable by surname, so no matter where one’s ancestors are from, pertinent, specific information can be obtained online through this source. A tutorial for this database is available at http://home.twcny.rr.com/southworth/FamilySearch.htm, which may be of help in searching this site. (Accessed June 22, 2003)

Rootsweb (http://www.rootsweb.com/~nytompki/ ) is a database of genealogical sources that have been compiled by volunteers and historians throughout the country. It is subdivided into states and counties. The above link will take you to the Tompkins County sites that yield searchable genealogical data. For instance, the branched link, http://www.rootsweb.com/~nytompki/tcem.htm?sourceid=00214429556236913696, is a compilation of cemetery records of Tompkins County which includes all the cemeteries in Dryden. Here you will find the names, interment dates and other information from tombstone inscriptions for each cemetery. (Accessed June 18, 2003)

Compiled histories, yearbooks

Alvarez, Lenore. (1987). Self-guided history tour of Freeville.

This hardbound pamphlet serves as an addendum to the Genung title, Historical sketch of the Village of Freeville. It identifies places of business and residences mentioned by Genung and it updates his information to 1987. Location:  Southworth Library (SWL) Reference Room, Local History Collection 974.7 ALV.

As we were: a picture history of Virgil. (1979).Virgil Historical Society.

This is a treasure of photographs, names and places in the town of Virgil, which is just east of Dryden.  From the first settler, Joseph Chaplin in 1792, through the 1970s, this booklet commemorates the 175 years of Virgil’s history.  Liberally interspersed with vintage photographs of businesses and their owners, homes and settlers, and schools with classrooms of teachers and students all identified by first and last names makes this a wonderful source for anyone who has ancestors from this area. Location: SWL Reference Room, Local History Collection 974.44 VIR

Cloyes, S. A. (1969). The Healer: the story of Dr. Samantha S. Nivison and Dryden Springs, 1820-1915. Ithaca, New York: DeWitt Historical Society of Tompkins County, Inc.

 Although not a genealogy or family history per se, this slim volume tells a story that continues to hold interest among residents and visitors of Dryden today. The history is given of the property upon which Dr. Nivison built the Dryden Springs Sanitarium.  Originally owned by the Lacy family, they were the first to discover the mineral springs while digging for salt deposits. The Dryden Springs Sanitarium became a renowned spa for water-cure health treatments from 1862 to 1899. Incorporating this history in any genealogical bibliography is an example of providing meat to the bones of the genealogical skeleton. It fleshes out the lives and circumstances of our ancestors and helps us to understand them and their times. Location: SWL Reference Room, Local History Collection 974.77 C.

Cutter, W. R. (Ed.). (1912). Genealogical and family history of Central New York: a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the building of a nation. (Vols. 1-3). New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co.

 This three-volume set is an invaluable compilation of family histories and genealogies going back to pre-Revolutionary War New England. It tracks the migration of these forefathers into the Central New York area and enumerates descendants down to the time of publication. It is lavishly illustrated with full-page photographs accompanied by photocopied signatures. The comprehensive index is found at the end of volume three and is essential for navigating the volumes, as there appears to be no order, alphabetical, chronological or otherwise to the genealogical entries. Location: SWL Reference Room, Local History Collection REF 920 CUT

Genung, A. B. (1987). Historical sketch of the Village of Freeville Tompkins County New York. Dryden Historical Society.

 This 78-page softbound book is a reprint of Genung’s 1943 creation by his granddaughter, Rachel Dickinson Savage, for the centennial celebration of the Village of Freeville. Genung wrote the history in response to a question by one of his children as to the origin of the village. He did the research and put together this volume, which is mainly a walking tour of Freeville in the mid-nineteenth century, the turn of the century and his present (1942). Early settlers, merchants, prominent citizens and homeowners are named. It includes photographs and a map.  Location: SWL Reference Room, Local History Collection 974.7 GEN.

Goodrich, G. B. (1993) Centennial history of the town of Dryden: 1797-1897. (3^rd Ed.) Dryden, NY: Dryden Historical Society.

 This volume covers the history of Dryden from its prehistoric conditions and the Indian occupation through the Centennial celebration in 1897. It contains pictures of prominent citizens and buildings, maps, biographies and anecdotes of important events. Of particular use to genealogists are the many lists: rosters of the political organizations accompanied by years, original settlers, resident civil war soldiers (their companies, regiments, years of service and remarks concerning status/death), ministers, subscribers to various causes/fundraisers, and several other organizational rosters. There is a names index and a map index. Location SWL. Several copies in circulation and reference; Local History Collection 974.7 GOO

Griswold, Glenn E. (Ed.). (1935). Griswold Family: England—America. Rutland, VT: Tuttle Pub. Co.

 This compiled family history is connected to the Dryden area history through Edward Griswold, who settled in Dryden in 1802 (Goodrich 1993 p. 79-80). The compiler, Glenn Griswold, inscribes this copy as follows: “Presented to Southworth Library Association in memory of the Rev. Henry D. Griswold. The Griswold Family Association, Glenn E. Griswold, President.” The Rev. H. D. Griswold contributed to the Griswold Family history. (Griswold 1935 p. 104). This title contains biographical sketches and descendant genealogies for Edward Griswold of Windsor, Connecticut, Francis Griswold of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Matthew Griswold of Lyme, Connecticut, and Michael Griswold of Weathersfield, Massachusetts. It also contains pen and ink sketches of tombstone inscriptions and buildings, and maps. Location: SWL Reference Room, Local History/Genealogy Collection 920 Griswold

Hurd, D. H & Peirce, H. B. (1879). History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins, and Scuyler Counties, New York. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co.

This extensive history contains illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent people and pioneers of these counties. Organized by county, it has separate tables of contents for the historical narratives and the illustrations. It is easily searched, therefore, for county and town entries, each town having its own chapter. There is no index. Location: SWL Reference Room, Local History Collection REF 974.7 PEI

Kammen, C. (1985). The peopling of Tompkins County : a social history. Interlaken, NY: Heart of the Lakes Pub.

This history covers Tompkins County specifically and goes into detail concerning its early settlers (Sweet, Robertson, Ellis, Sage, of Dryden) as well as the major milestones in the various communities. At the back of the book are annotations for each chapter and an index. The Southworth Library owns two copies. Locations SWL Reference Room, Local History Collection 974.771 Kammen.

Selkreg, J. (1894. Landmarks of Tompkins County New York including a history of Cornell University. Syracuse, NY: D. Mason & Co.

This history of Tompkins County includes many illustrations. The table of contents shows a division by towns, a separate section for biographies, a section called “Family Sketches” and a section devoted specifically to the history of Cornell University. At the back of the book are four separate indices—one for each of the above-mentioned sections, as well as a separate index for the portraits and other illustrations. Although the information in this volume is probably similar to that of other county histories of Tompkins County, the many individuals mentioned broadens the list of names that could pertain to one’s ancestry. Location: Dryden Historical Society bookshelf.

Trapp, Stella M.(1963). Dryden High School then and now. Ithaca, NY : DeWitt Historical Society.

The “then” of the “then and now” is 1900 and represents the earliest recollections of the author on her school days in Dryden. Contains lots of photographs—the earliest graduating class is an 1897 photo complete with first and last names (all three of them!) Location : SWL Reference Room, Local History Collection 974.7 TRA.

Yearbooks, Dryden High School.

The earliest yearbook for the Dryden Central School available at the Southworth Library is for 1947. Called at various times, The Crescent, Drydenite, Lions, Annus Mirabilis, Amethyst, and the Pride, the Dryden High School yearbooks span the years from when the school was housed in the now Elementary School building on James Street in Dryden, to the new High School on Route 38 that was built in 1967, through the most recent of 2003. Missing years: 1948, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1962, 1973, 1974, 1976-80, 1982, 1990-1992, 1995, 2002, 2003.  Location:  SWL Reference Room, Local History Collection 974.77 C.

Original records, abstracts

Census, New York State, 1825 for Tompkins County. (1991). Abstracted by Tompkins County Genealogical Society, Ithaca NY.

This abstract contains Dryden along with other neighboring towns in Tompkins County. The 1825 state census contains names of the heads of households along with the breakdown of occupants in the household by age and sex. Location, SWL Reference Room, Local History Collection 974.7 TOM

Cloues, R. (1973). Old cemeteries in Dryden, New York.  Ithaca, New York: Cornell Univ.

In loose-leaf folder form, this report provides a brief history of cemetery law in the United States in general and the ramifications for Dryden burials. It contains an inventory of 23 cemeteries found in the Dryden area a description of their location and pointer to an accompanying map, and information on the cemetery’s ownership.Location: SWL Reference Room, Local History Collection REF 974.7 CLO; also available in microfilm: reel 6 item 8

Dryden Newspaper Collection. The Southworth Library Association.

  The Southworth Library has local newspapers going back to 1856. These are available on microfilm and in the bound original volumes. Valuable for their birth, marriage and death information, they also contain stories of local residents and many photographs. Location: SWL Upstairs Microfilm Room (Get key from Librarian).

The collection contains the following:

  ·        Rumsey Companion: May 7, 1856-April 8, 1857

·                    Dryden News: April 16, 1857-October 21, 1865

·                    Dryden Weekly: January 4, 1868-October 20, 1870

·                    Dryden Herald: 1876-1919

·                    Dryden Echo: August 3, 1889-June 21, 1890

·                    The Communicator: July 19, 1933-May 29, 1919

·                    Rural News: 1933-1983

Newspaper Clippings Scrapbooks. (190?-2003). Dryden Historical Society.

Contained in several loose-leaf notebook volumes, the members of the Historical Society have diligently clipped from area newspapers all birth, marriage and death announcements and obituaries that pertain to Dryden area residents. Location: Dryden Historical Society bookshelf. (Older volumes archived in basement. Ask docent.)

Historical Archives Collection. The Southworth Library Association.    

 In 2001, The Southworth Library received a grant to microfilm their archival documents. These are now available for use on eleven rolls of microfilm. Location: Upstairs Microfilm Room (Get key from Librarian).

Highlights of this collection are:

         ·                    Centennial and Bicentennial celebrations

·                    Civil War Enlistments and WWII Servicemen from Dryden

·                    Citizens of Dryden

·                    Dryden Springs Hotel/Sanitarium

·                    Dryden Village News 1856-1886

·                    History of the Dryden Agricultural Fair

·                    Minutes and histories of local organizations (Churches, Southworth Library, WCTU, Dryden Opera House, spit & Whittle Club, Schools, Red Cross, Campfire Girls, Fortnightly Club, Dryden Literary Club)

·                    News clippings, photographs, scrapbooks of local citizens

Sandwick, C. M., compiler.(1966). Old Cemetery of Dryden, Tompkins County, N.Y.: records of inscriptions and genealogical note.

Better than an actual visit to the Old Cemetery, this loose-leaf folder contains information on those buried there whose stones are no longer visible. The list is alphabetical and is taken from previous lists of the cemetery: the “Bartholomew List” published in 1900; a list published by the Presbyterian Church of Dryden in 1908; and a 1922 list by Dora Worden published in the New York Genealogical an Biographical Record, vol. 53. But the compiler of this project did not stop there. He did an onsite visit in 1966 of the stones still standing, and also recorded the stones that had been removed to Green Hills Cemetery in the 1920s when excavations of a nearby sand pit encroached upon the cemetery and dislodged several graves.

Although the burial ground was deeded to the Presbyterian Church of Dryden by Abram Griswold in 1830, it had been used for burials as early as 1815, and these interments are also recorded here. The stipulation of the deed to the church stated that it was to be used always as a burial ground and for all sects and denominations.

Another important feature of this 1966 compilation is the inclusion of genealogical notes for some entries. These are taken from other sources such as family Bibles, census records, pension application files, wills and the records of other cemeteries. Mr. Sandwick has also included at the beginning of his record a “Roll of Honor” listing the names of the Revolutionary War veterans and widows buried therein, and those who served in the war of 1812. This is followed by a brief history of the cemetery and explanation of the various restoration projects that were undertaken at the cemetery. 20 pages. ). Location, SWL Reference Room, Local History Collection 974.7 SAN (Also available at SWL on microfilm.)

 Surname File. Dryden Historical Society.

The Dryden Historical Society has gathered genealogical data on hundreds of families from the Dryden area. Contained in a four-drawer vertical file at the Dryden Historical Society, this treasure trove of information is not duplicated anywhere else. An index of these surnames and subject matter is in the process of being computerized and is subject to continuous updating. The Society takes phone and email queries: 607-844-9209; lnrbeach@aol.com. (Laurence “Beachy” Beach, President).  Location: Dryden Historical Society Research Room.

Sweetland, R. Green Hills mortality list.

In loose-leaf folder form, this is a compilation of burials in the Green Hills Cemetery of Dryden. It is alphabetical by Surname and contains the age, date of death, lot number and comments, such as other identifying information found on the stone or directions to its location. Location: SWL Reference Room, Local History Collection REF 974.7 SWE; also available in microfilm: reel 6 item 12

Guides, handbooks, etc.

Engst, E. (1981). Guide to historical resources in Tompkins County New York repositories. Ithaca, New York: Cornell Univ.

Although this is in essence, a bibliographic pathfinder itself, and would ordinarily not qualify for inclusion here, because it is so specific to the records of Tompkins County and includes other nearby repositories I have not undertaken to include (i.e. the Groton Public Library) I felt it would be helpful to our genealogy patrons.

This source is part of a statewide survey undertaken by the New York Historical Resources Center to identify uncatalogued manuscripts and archives collections throughout the state. This guide for Tompkins County contains listings for eleven repositories, including the Southworth Library. Due to its publication date of 1981, it is likely that much of the information is out of date. This is verified by the fact that several items purported to be in the Southworth Library have since been donated to the Dryden Historical Society, of which there is no listing in this guide as it was organized in 1981. This guide, therefore, serves as a starting point to learn of the existence of unpublished materials related to Tompkins County history and provides the address and contact information for each repository. Location: SWL Reference Room, Local History Collection, REF 974.77 GUI

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