The Stories of Immigration to Tompkins County Oral History Collection was established in 2021 to highlight interviews and stories in our archives that explore the experiences of first generation immigrants to Tompkins County and the United States, and their descendants. The topics of these interviews explore a wide range of experiences, community, and cultures. The stories shared may have been guided by the specific project the interview was recorded for. This collection will continue to expand as our Oral History archives continue to grow.

Visit our Exhibit Hall to hear oral history clips in our Story Vault exhibit!

IMMIGRATION TO TOMPKINS COUNTY FINDING AID

The Oral History of Holocaust Survivors Who Settled in Tompkins County was a nine year project of the Ithaca Area United Jewish Community, and processed by the Roy H. Park Scholar Program at Ithaca College. The collection includes eleven recordings of family members interviewing parents and grandparents about their experiences growing up Jewish in various European countries and the impacts of WWII, the Holocaust, and later immigration to the United States. Eight of these interviews have accompanying curriculum guides to support further learning and exploration on these topics in classrooms and educational spaces.