Old Chatham Union Cemetery Meeting

This notice is from this week's Rensselaer County Advertiser newspaper.

OLD CHATHAM UNION CEMETERY CORPORATION MEETING

The annual meeting of the Old Chatham Union Cemetery Corporation will be held on Saturday, September 16, at 2pm in the Vedder Hall of the Malden Bridge Community Center located at 1087 Albany Turnpike, Malden Bridge, NY.

All lot owners or their designated representative of the Cemetery located on Shaker Museum Road are encourage to attend. Agenda for the meeting will include a financial report by the Treasurer, including a report on a recent letter sent to lot owners requesting help in supporting the upkeep of the Cemetery. Other business will include a discussion on general maintenance, election of officers and directors, as well as any other business that may come before the Corporation.

The input of all lot owners is most welcome and necessary in the decision-making process to make this truly your community cemetery. If you have any questions, feel free to contact President Elizabeth M. Hurley at 518-766-3815.

History Programs at Hudson Valley Community College

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) has numerous historical programs for those interested this fall. The programs are not for credit and for further information please contact the Office of Community and Professional Education. The data below is culled from information found on the HVCC website and the semester program booklet.

A Morning With Two Local Town Historians
Sharon Zankel, the Town of Brunswick historian, will present "Pictorial Tour of Three Brunswick Historic Sites." Using photographs and historic information compiled over many years, she will explain why three of her town's historic sites – the Forest Park Cemetery, a 19th-century schoolhouse, and an 18th-century farmstead – are significant historic resources and she will describe how they serve the community today.

Next, Bobbie Reno, the East Greenbush town historian, will relate her fascinating research about a local artist: "Edmonia Lewis, An Artist of Determination and Courage." Bobbie's presentation will feature Edmonia Lewis, a sculptor of African American and Native American descent who was born in 1844 in Greenbush. She overcame race and gender discrimination to become an internationally acclaimed artist only to be "forgotten" for over 100 years since her death in 1907.
50913
$10
1 Session, WIL 113
Monday, 10/2, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Sharon Zankel and Bobbie Reno, Instructors


Understanding Your Ancestry DNA Test
If you have done a DNA test through Ancestry.com or are even thinking of doing one, you probably have many questions. Join professional genealogist Lisa Dougherty for an informative session that will guide you through the fundamentals of DNA tests. Topics covered will include DNA basics, interpreting ethnicity estimates, dealing with all those cousin matches, and incorporating the results into your genealogy research. Learn how to make the most of your test by utilizing it as another tool to discover your family history!
50822
$13
1 Session, WIL 113
Tues., 10/17, 9:30 -11:30 a.m.

50823
$13
1 Session, WIL 113
Tues., 11/14, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Lisa Dougherty, Instructor


The Fight for Women's Suffrage in New York State
November 6 marks the centennial of the Constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote in New York State. This historic vote occurred three years before the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and helped pave the way to its success.

Albany was the epicenter of the suffrage battle in New York State. Suffragists and anti-suffragists lobbied the legislature in support of their positions every year from 1854 to 1917. This program will explore this historic struggle through images from both suffrage and anti-suffrage sources.
50886
$10
1 Session, WIL 113
Thurs., 11/2, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Stuart Lehman, Instructor


The Erie Canal - America's First Great Public Work
Jack Casey will discuss his historical novel, "A Land Beyond the River," which portrays New York State's rise to national preeminence as "The Empire State." Hudson Valley heiress Eleanora Van Rensselaer falls in love with a "real man" from the west, ship captain Daniel Hedges, a smuggler on Lake Erie. Soon the War of 1812 erupts and ends their affair. Only after each suffers great loss can they reconnect and join forces to assist DeWitt Clinton in realizing his vision, a 363-mile canal across New York State. Yet even as they collaborate, canal opponent Martin Van Buren employs a dark secret to blackmail Eleanora, and she must choose between her vast wealth and the man she loves. "A Land Beyond the River" was published in paperback by Bantam Books (1988), and in hardcover by Jack's imprint, Diamond Rock Publishing, Inc. (2005). He will enhance his discussion with a few canal songs.
50821
$20
1 Session, WIL 113
Mon., 10/23, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Jack Casey, Instructor


Exploring Troy's History
In this session discover the history of Troy's Oakwood Cemetery and bell manufacturing in Troy and West Troy. In the first part of his lecture, Michael Barrett will discuss Oakwood Cemetery. While it did not officially open until 1850, a number of cemetery consolidations and reburials push the historical record of deaths back to the very earliest years of the city. He will share stories of founding families, the prominent educators, industrialists and business people, military heroes and other colorful characters who helped make Troy the great city that it is.

Did you know from 1808 - 1952 over 100,000 bells were manufactured in Troy and West Troy? Listen as Michael shares information on this enduring industrial legacy that created many of our most famous American-made bells and chimes.
50912
$20
1 Session, WIL 113
Fri., 11/3, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Michael Barrett, Instructor


Ten Broeck Mansion Tour with a German Lunch
The elegant Ten Broeck Mansion was the home of two of Albany's most prominent families. It was originally built in 1798 as a Federal-style country home for merchant and Mayor Abraham Ten Broeck, who had served as a major general of the Albany militia during the Revolutionary War and distinguished himself at the Second Battle of Saratoga in 1777. Architectural details from this period include a delicate roof balustrade on the outside and a superb spiral staircase within. In 1848, the home became the residence of banker and philanthropist Thomas Worth Olcott and underwent modifications that included the addition of Greek Revival porticos to the doorways and marble mantels in the main first-floor rooms. Today the home reflects Olcott's era of occupancy and contains a collection of furnishings from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as well as some fine portraits on loan from the Albany Institute of History and Art. Also of note are the house's intact wine cellar (which was only discovered in the 1970s) and its attractive gardens. After parking at the rear of the mansion gardens, stroll the garden path to enter the mansion and have a tour followed by a hearty German lunch. Vegetarian meal options are available upon request. Course fee includes $30 materials fee.
50845
$40
1 Session, Ten Broeck Mansion in Albany, NY
Tues., 9/26, 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.
Jean Chenette, Coordinator


Walking Tour of Troy's Historic Washington Park and Surrounding Homes, with Tea
Enjoy taking a step back in time to see and experience the genteel living of the nouveau rich of Troy's Washington Park. You will be able to see firsthand, the loving care taken to rehabilitate and update many of these one-of-a-kind homes of the emerging upper middle class of the 19th century and visit their own private park. A tea reception will be held in our last home visit on the tour.

There will be lots of walking on mostly uneven surfaces: sidewalks, grass, roads, and some home interiors with multiple flights of stairs, climbing up and down. Wear comfortable walking shoes as you will be on your feet for all of the tour. Meet in Washington Park across from the front of 195 2nd Street. Parking is along the bordering streets of Washington Park - Washington Place, Second Street, Third Street and Washington Street. Course fee includes $15 materials fee.
50322
$25
1 Session, Meet in Washington Park across from the front of 195 2nd Street
Tues., 9/26, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lea Darling, Coordinator


Historic Grant's Cottage Tour
Guide Steven Trimm will provide a tour of the historic cottage and share little-known stories about U.S. Grant. Grant Cottage is full of marvelous, unexpected and sometimes improbable - but true tales. Steve will share all of them with you. Following his program, we will depart for a tour of the college and we'll have the chance to marvel at the fall season views of the Berkshires, Catskills and Green Mountains from Promenade Point. We may even have a secret family member of Grant's with us to share more stories of the illustrious President U.S. Grant. This may be up to a 2.5-hour program and requires standing during the cottage segment of the tour. Please wear comfortable shoes and dress warmly. We will meet at the Grant Cottage Visitor's Center to begin our tour. Course fee includes $5 materials fee.
50326
$15
1 Session, meeting at the Grant Cottage Visitor's Center
Tues., 10/3, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lea Darling, Coordinator

Historical talk on St. Patrick's Church, Albany

Earlier today this information was brought to my attention. A lecture by Frank DeNucci on the history of St. Patrick's church will be interesting and informative. St. Patrick's church became an anchor for the Irish in the upper Bowery section of today's Central Avenue neighborhood. After St. Patrick's was established in 1858 Irish Catholics no longer had to travel to St. Joseph's in Arbor Hill or St. Mary's in downtown; they had their own parish. Information on the lecture is below:

The History of Saint Patrick’s Church
On Thursday September 7, 2017 @12 Noon at the Hibernian Hall 375 Ontario
Street Albany NY, The Dick Connors Irish Cultural/Historical Lecture series will
present a lecture titled “The History of Saint Patrick’s Church,” given by
parishioner Frank DeNucci. Come and enjoy a fascinating look at 160 years of
Saint Patrick’s Church history to the present Shrine Church of Our Lady of the
Americas. Cost is $15 per person and includes luncheon. Please make
reservations via email to Paul Collins at pcollin1@nycap.rr.com if you plan to attend.

St. Patrick's Church
Photo courtesy Times Union

Tombstone Tuesday

The photo below is located in Albany Rural Cemetery in Section. It is one of my favorite gravestones. Although it is sad that the stone is for a child, the grave marker is a basic small white marble chair with no adornments. I have not done any research into this stone but I believe that it is in the Morris plot. Someday, perhaps I will tackle this stone with D2.

Troy History Walk

This info comes to me from the Rensselaer County Advertiser newspaper.

TROY HISTORY WALK
Join Rensselaer County Historical Society and Rensselaer Land Trust in a History walk through Troy on Saturday, August 26th, from 9:30am-11:30am. Kathryn Sheehan, Registrar and Rensselaer County & City of Troy Historian will lead us from the Hudson River to Poesten Kill covering almost three centuries of changes the landscape of Troy. We will meet at the Rensselaer County Historical Society located at 57 Second Street in Troy. Wear comfortable shoes and bring something to drink. The cost is $20 per person and you can register online at www.renstrust.org.

Throwback Thursday : Margaret Mary Gannon, 1914

Margaret Mary Gannon, 1914

Ancestral Homes : 9 Benjamin Street, Albany

9 Benjamin Street, Albany
Home of ggg grandfather, Joseph Albert

Tombstone Tuesday : More Wildlife

This photo finishing up with the last of animal photos in the cemetery... well until more are taken. Here a black cat peeks out from behind an obelisk.

Military Monday : Dr. William Ogden McDonald

This week's military bio is on Dr. William Ogden McDonald. Aside from marrying my first cousin five times removed, Barbara Helen Hitchcock; and that he was a surgeon in the Civil War very little is known about him. Most of the documentation that I have on him comes from his 26 March 1918 obituary in The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. His obituary is below:

W.O. McDONALD DIES;

CIVIL WAR SURGEON

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With Armies of Cumberland and

Potomac in Many Battles. 

---

Dr. William Ogden McDonald, a Civil War veteran, and a practicing physician and surgeon in New York City for fifty years, died at his residence, 519 Fifth street, South Brooklyn yesterday, after a short illness. His funeral services will be held private, followed by cremation. Dr. McDonald is survived by his wife, Barbara Helen Hitchcock, who was born in Troy, N.Y., and to whom he was married on January 9, 1870. He is also survived by a brother, Dr. Roderick E. McDonald of Daytona Beach, Fla.

Dr. McDonald was born in Waddington, N.Y., the son of Angus McDonald of Scotland and Ann Case. He was educated in public and private schools, and graduated from the new York Medical College in March, 1855. He practiced in New York City until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he entered the service of the United States on June 10, 1861, as assistant surgeon of the Sixty-first Regiment of New York Volunteers. In January, 1863, he became surgeon of the Twenty-seventh Regiment of Connecticut, ranking as surgeon of United States Volunteers staff. He was in the Army of the Potomac until May, 1863, when he was sent to the Army of the Cumberland, as surgeon of the Second Regiment of Kentucky Cavalry in the Cavalry Corps. He participated in the Peninsular campaign, the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg and "Mud March," Chancellorsville, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, the operations around Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, and in Sherman's march to Atlanta. He went with his command to Resaca, Ga., He was then sent to the Army of the Potomac, with which he took part in the Wilderness campaign, and from that on to Appomattox. During this service he was on duty in the depot field hospital of the Army of the Potomac, and when that was dissolved he became chief medical officer of the Third Division of the Fifth Army Corps, and afterward chief medical officer of the hospital of the Sixth Army Corps.

Dr. McDonald resigned from the Army service on June 10, 1865, with the rank of lieutenant colonel, and was examining surgeon for pensions in New York City from 1877 to 1884. He practiced medicine in New York City, with the interval of his service in the Army, from March, 1855 to 1905, when he retired from practice. For some twenty years he was in the faculty of the New York Homeopathic Medical College, first as professor of anatomy, and afterward as professor of gynecology.

Dr. McDonald was a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, the Army and Navy Club of Connecticut, the Society of the Army of the Potomac, the New York Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and of George Washington Post, G.A.R.

DNA Kits on Sale!

From time to time as I am notified or find genealogy related items that are "on sale" I usually post an article for those who might be interested. For me, unfortunately I get no cut in that action, perhaps I should look into that.

Anyways, Ancestry.com has a sale on its DNA kit for $79 with free shipping. To get this great price and free shipping (usually about $8-9) use the coupon code FREESHIPDNA. Additional kits are $69 each. The coupon code expires soon so check it!

Check FamilyTreeDNA.com for their 20% off sale on the various FamilyTreeDNA kits.

July Update for the Evangelical Protestant Cemetery

Much work is being accomplished at Albany's Evangelical Protestant Cemetery this year. A blog was created for the cemetery and a link for the cemetery and its reclamation project can be found here. The latest update for work at the EPC can be found here with videos and pictures.

Throwback Thursday : Albany Grave Digger, 1971

Albany Grave Digger, 1971

Tombstone Tuesday : Cat

The above photo was taken at the Evangelical Protestant Cemetery in Albany during the Summer 2016. A cat was perched on a modern granite grave marker searching for prey until I disturbed it. Sorry kittty!