History & Culture · Finger Lakes
Lima Genealogy Questions Have a Town Historian Route
Lima’s historian page says the historian preserves local history and welcomes genealogical and historical inquiries.
Published June 24, 2026 · Last verified June 28, 2026
An old Lima surname can send a family in three directions at once: town records, village memory, and Livingston County offices. The Town Historian is the municipal doorway for the local-history part of that search. The historian is appointed by the Town Board, collects and preserves Lima history, shares information with residents, schools, and organizations, and welcomes genealogical and historical inquiries. For a town-and-village place, that boundary keeps a records errand from turning into a round of forwarded messages.
That makes the office a good early question for an old Lima address, a family name, a school clue, a cemetery lead, or a story that may belong to the town rather than the village. Before reaching out, gather the person’s full name, alternate spellings, dates, address or road name, church or school connection, and what you have already checked. A tidy note with names and dates in one place gives the search a better opening.
Keep the office boundary clear. The Town Historian can help with context and local records leads. Vital records, deed copies, tax bills, zoning, and court papers belong with the clerk, county office, assessor, code office, or court that owns that record.