Research

Scope and Content Note

Microfilmed records include annual reports (or abstracts of reports) of town commissioners or superintendents of schools (1813-1856) and school district trustees or boards of education (1856-1957). The reports were filed in the office of the Tioga County Clerk; later reports were first submitted to the county or Assembly district commissioners of schools (1857-1911) or to supervisory district superintendents (1912-1957). Other microfilmed records are fiscal documents and common school district minute books.

Information in the annual reports or abstracts varies considerably over time, but may include length of school year; teachers' licenses and certifications; names of parents and students; students' ages; courses taught and number of students; trustee rosters or county; funds received (taxes and apportionments); teachers' names and wages; school library inventories; student attendance records; school building and property descriptions; value of school properties; and amounts of expenditures for state wages, building upkeep, and supplies.

For the years 1813-1835, school reports are included for the towns of Barton, Berkshire, Big Flats, Candor, Catharine, Catlin, Cayuta, Chemung, Elmira, Erin, Newark, Nichols, Owego, Richford, Southport, Spencer, Tioga, and Veteran. Several of these towns became part of Chemung County when it was formed in 1836. For the years 1836-1957, reports are for the nine towns that form the present Tioga County: Barton, Berkshire, Candor, Newark Valley, Nichols, Owego, Richford, Spencer, and Tioga.

Other microfilmed documents are apportionments of state aid ("school monies"); reports of election of school commissioners and supervisory district superintendents; and statements of school district indebtedness. Also microfilmed are record and minute books from common school districts in the towns of Barton, Candor, Nichols, Owego, and Tioga.