The first settlers in Seneca County had little time for reading papers, and they had very few to read. At Geneva was published in 1797 the Ontario Gazette and Genesee Advertiser, by Lucius Carey; in 1800 the Impartial American, or Seneca Museum, by Ebenezer Eaton; and in 1806 The Expositor, later, Geneva Gazette, by James Bogart. Other of those primal presses were located at various points, but the difficulties of distribution made their circulation local. The pioneer printer of Seneca County was George Lewis, who, in the year 1815, started in the village of Ovid a small sheet entitled the Seneca Patriot. As will be observed, the history of journalism in Seneca County has been little less than a struggle for existence. For more information consult: History of the Seneca County New York Press
Unfortunately, no historical paper published in Seneca County has had any issues published online. We know of microfilm, however, which has been created of various issues, some quite voluminous and we can only hope that in the near future somebody will convince one of the local historical societies or libraries to share that microfilm with them so that it can be more widely published online.
The following information is an attempt to provide details into not only the history of Seneca County New York newspapers, but also the sources available online and offline for the genealogist and historian to access the newspapers, or transcriptions therefrom. Newspapers remain a vital source of material for genealogists. They often provide vivid insight into the lives of our ancestors unlike other factual records, and should not be overlooked when conducting genealogical research. We have separated out several towns in which the activity of the press was more apparent and active.
- A History of Interlaken New York Newspapers – Includes old village of Farmer.
- A History of Lodi New York Newspapers
- A History of Ovid New York Newspapers
- A History of Seneca Falls New York Newspapers
- A History of Waterloo New York Newspapers
A History of Romulus New York Newspapers
Romulus reporter: 1900-19??
To our knowledge Romulus had only one paper issued from within it’s town limits, and that was the Romulus Reporter. The weekly publication of the Romulus Reporter began on 14 April 1900, and outside of that, little is known of it’s length of publication, except that the one remaining issue was dated 30 Nov 1900 and was listed as volume 1, issue 33. It was published by the Press Pub. Company. Only one copy survives, and is in the hands of a private collector.
A History of Sampson New York Newspapers
Sampson news. : (U.S. Naval Training Center) 1941 – 19??
The US Navy Training Center at Sampson NY began publishing a weekly newspaper in 1941 and continued for several years after. Only one copy survives.
- 8 Dec 1944, Original, Single
- Medina Historical Society, Medina, NY
