Upcoming History & Genealogy Events

The Capital District Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting on Saturday, February 23, 2019, at 1 PM. Schenectady Historical Society Librarian, Michael Maloney will present "Preserving your Family Photographs and Documents." Genealogists and historians are collectors of these important items. Learn how to keep these important artifacts safe and preserve them for future generations.

Capital District Genealogical Society meetings are held at the 
William K. Sanford Town Library
629 Albany-Shaker Road
Loudonville, New York 12211

The Troy Public Library will host Paul Stewart of the Underground Railroad History Project on Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at 6 PM as he shares his extensive knowledge on The Underground Railroad of Troy, NY: A Secret History of Ordinary Lives and Everyday Heroes. Registration is suggested. The Troy Public Library is located at
100 Second Street, Troy, NY.

The Poestenkill Historical Society will host Historian Jack Casey as he presents on the history of the Erie Canal on Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at 7 PM. The Poestenkill Historical Society meeting will be held at the Poestenkill Town Hall
Route 351
Poestenkill, New York

The following two historical events will be held at the East Greenbush Community Library in March and April.

The Battle of Bennington
Thursday, March 21, 2019, 6 PM
David Pitlyk will present on the history of the Battle of Bennington. Please register with the library for this lecture.

History of Hampton Manor
Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 6:30 PM
Bobbie Reno will present on the history of Hampton Manor.

For further information please contact:
East Greenbush Community Library
10 Community Way, East Greenbush, NY 12061
Phone: 518.477-7476
Web: www.eastgreenbushlibrary.org

Cafe Columbus

Over the years it is well known in my family that numerous relatives either owned or worked in bars or saloons and grills as they were called years ago. Today while scanning some books I discovered an 1893 advertisement for the Cafe Columbus. I noticed that an uncle of mine, Stephen Behrhof, was the proprietor.

His locale was at 276 South Pearl Street. I was not aware that he operated a saloon. His Bavarian-born father, Michael Behrhof, operated a grill at 48 Delaware Street. The original building is torn down and the newer building is now a church. In the 1950s my grandfather, Joseph Albert Koreman, was part owner of a grill called KCs at the same location. I am positive that my grandfather did not know that his great grandfather also ran a saloon in the same location.

By 1900 Stephen Behrhof was a well known tailor and was in business with his nephew, Henry Koreman Jr. at 276 South Pearl Street. Their business was Koreman & Behrhof. From researching Albany City Directories, it appears that after a little less than ten years, Stephen Behrhof switched gears left the saloon business and became a tailor.

On page 44 of the 1893 Albany City Directory lists my great great granduncle as such:
Behrhof Stephen, saloon, 276 S. Pearl, h. do.
In the same directory on page 398 in the business directory section under Liquors, Wines, etc. Retail
his listing reads:
Behrhof Stephen, 276 South Pearl

Stephen Behrhof, circa 1907

Stephen Behrhof was born in Albany at 8 Delaware Street in 1856. He married Wilhelmia Neudorf circa 1885. Stephen was a member of numerous Gesangvereine or singing societies over the years. He died in 1917. His gravestone reads "He Sings in Heaven".

Gravestone before uprighting in 2013

Upcoming Local History / Genealogy / Ethnic Food Events

From yesterday's Rensselaer County Advertiser newspaper.

Understanding Your Ancestry DNA Test
Details: Professional genealogist Lisa Dougherty will discuss the fundamentals of DNA tests and what to expect from taking an Ancestry DNA test.
Date: February 2nd
Time: 2PM
Place: Troy Public Library
100 Second Street, Troy, NY
Cost: Free
Misc.: call the library at 518.274.7071 for more information

Talk on Preventing Bad Luck at the Stephentown Historical Society
Details: Architectural historian Walter Wheeler will explain practices of how early European colonists dealt with superstitions in the New World.
Date: February 3rd
Time: 2 PM
Place: Stephentown Historical Society
4 Staples Road (corner of Garfield Road), Stephentown, NY
Cost: Free
Misc.: handicapped accessible

Life of Solomon Northrup - "Twelve Years a Slave"
Details: Clifford W. Brown, PhD will discuss his collaborative writing of Twelve Years a Slave.
Date: February 3rd
Time: 2PM
Place: East Greenbush Community Library
10 Community Way, East Greenbush, NY
Cost: Free
Misc.: limited seating please register by calling the library at 518.477.7476


Capital Region Jewish Genealogical Society Meeting
Details: Workshop format for beginning and conducting your genealogical research. Experienced researchers will guide you through explaining resources and techniques.
Date: February 3rd
Time: 11 AM - 12:30 PM
Place: Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York
184 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY
Cost: Free
Misc.: for more information contact crjgsl@gmail.com

Authentic German Sauerbraten Dinner
Date: February 9th
Time: 5:30 PM
Place: First United Methodist Church
1 Gilligan Road, East Greenbush, NY
Cost: $25 donation
Misc.: only 100 tickets will be sold. Proceeds benefit the Choir Fundraiser

Sand Lake Historical Society February Program
Details: The Sand Lake Historical Society will host Paul and Mary Liz Stewart, co-founders of the Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region. They will present on the influence of the Underground Railroad in the Capital District.
Date: February 12th
Time: 7:30 PM
Place: Sand Lake Town Hall
8428 NY Route 66, Averill Park, NY

History of Beer Making in Rensselaer County
Details: Esquatak Historical Society will host Kathy Sheehan, Rensselaer County and Troy City Historian as she presents a history of beer making in Rensselaer County.
Date: February 15th
Time: 7PM
Place: Schodack Town Hall
Corner Route 9&20 & Schuurman Road, Schodack, NY
Cost: Free
Misc.: Refreshments served

Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner
Date: February 24th
Time: 1PM - 6PM
Place: Gerald O'Neil American Legion Post
836 Broadway, Rensselaer, NY
Cost: $12
Misc.: Proceeds benefit the American Legion