No "Lima Historical Society" Found in New York—Here's How to Find the Right One

There is no historical society named "Lima Historical Society" located in New York State. The name likely stems from a confusion with one of the following:

Most Likely Intended Organizations

1. Lima Historical Society (Lima, New York) — Located in the Town of Lima, Livingston County (south of Rochester).
   • Address: 7329 East Main St, Lima, NY 14485
   • Phone: (585) 582-1090
   • Focus: History of the Town of Lima (settled 1788), Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, Elim Bible Institute.
2. Lima Historical Society (Lima, Ohio) — In Allen County, Ohio. Unrelated to NY.
3. Historical Society of the Town of Lysander (near Syracuse, NY) — Sometimes confused due to phonetic similarity.
4. Livingston County Historical Society (Geneseo, NY) — Covers Lima and surrounding towns.

How to Find the Correct Historical Society in New York

1. Identify the Specific Town/County

New York has 932 towns and 62 counties, each potentially with its own historical society. "Lima" exists as a town in Livingston County and a village within it.

2. Use These Search Strategies

• Google: "[Town Name] Historical Society New York" (e.g., "Lima Historical Society Livingston County NY")
• New York State Historical Association (NYSHA) directory: nyhistory.org
• Association of Public Historians of NYS (APHNYS) municipal historian directory: aphny.org
• Library of Congress "Local History & Genealogy" guides by state.
• FamilySearch.org Wiki: "New York Historical Societies" — comprehensive list with links.

3. If You're Researching a Specific Topic

• Genealogy: Contact the Town/Village Clerk (holds vital records) + local historical society.
• Property/Building History: County Clerk's Office (deeds) + historical society archives.
• Academic Research: SUNY/private college special collections (e.g., SUNY Geneseo Milne Library for Livingston County).

Quick Reference: Livingston County Area Societies

Pro Tip

Most small-town historical societies are volunteer-run with limited hours. Always email or call ahead. Many have digitized collections on New York Heritage Digital Collections (nyheritage.org)—search there first.