27 December 2021

Hank Jones Palatine Collection

 Henry Z. Jones is the leading genealogist on Palatine German immigration to New York in the early 1700s. He has an enormous collection of papers and over 800 volumes of books and journals that he is donating to the New York Chapter of the Palatines to America German Genealogy Group. This is awesome! However, the collection is on the West coast and we are here on the East coast. 

 The NY Chapter of PalAm is putting together a fund raiser so that the Jones collection can be shipped to New York. This one-of-a-kind collection will be housed in Columbia County at the Germantown Library after it makes its cross-country journey. These resources will be cataloged, shelved, and made available to the public for use.

 If you are not familiar with Hank Jones, he is the author of numerous books that were meticulosly researched on Palatine Germans. Some of his writings include:

  • The Palatine Families of New York (2 Volume set)
  • More Palatine Families: Some Immigrants to the Middle Colonies 1717 to 1776
  • Even More Palatine Families
  • Westward to American: Some 18th Century German Immigrants

 Jones also won the 1986 Donald Lines Jacobus Award from the American Society of Genealogists and the Award of Merit from the National Genealogical Society. He is also one of the 50 fellows of the American Society of Genealogists.

 A note from the NY Chapter of PalAm is below explaining this opportunity. Please read and donate if possible.


Extraordinary Opportunity - The Hank Jones Collection

Please consider supporting this Everyone studying or researching Germans who emigrated from the Palatinate during the colonial period has referenced books written by Hank Jones or saw him speak at genealogy conferences.

Hank has been researching 18th century Palatines since 1960. He is the author of The Palatine Families of Ireland, The Palatine Families of New York – 1710 and a recent supplement..

Much of his research was done on-site, village-to-village in collaboration with Carla Mittelstaedt-Kubaseck. Together they documented over 600 of the ancestral origins of the 847 families who arrived in New York in 1710.

During his research, Hank assembled quite a collection of reference books. To be more specific, approximately 850 book volumes, 1970 thru 2020 issues of The New York Genealogical & Biographical Record and filing cabinets full of Carla Mittelstaedt – Kubaseck’s many reports. He used these re[1]sources to do his own research to document and share information about the colonial period Palatines.

Hank would like to donate his library to the NYS chapter of Palam. Arrangements have already been made to house the collection at the Germantown, NY Library and the Germantown, NY History Department in the old Reformed Parsonage. The library will be assisting with cataloging, shelving, and preserving this collection to make it available to the public.

Our NY Chapter needs to raise the funds to have the collection boxed and delivered 3,000+ miles from Hank’s home in California to Germantown by professional movers. In addition, once the collection is here, we will have additional costs to shelve, index and preserve the items so they can be accessed.

This is a wonderful opportunity to make Hank’s private resources available to the public for their own research. This is a one-of-a-kind collection.

Please consider a monetary donation to make this possible. The NY Chapter of PalAm is a non-profit 501 (c ) (3) organization so your donation is tax deductible. I

f you have any ques[1]tions, please email: palamny@gmail.com. We appreciate your donation supporting this wonderful effort!

PayPal contributions can be made to our account at Palamny@gmail.com please note it is for the Hank Jones collection

or make checks payable to:

NY Chapter Palatines to America, please write on the check “Hank Jones Collection”.

Mail to: Garry Finkell, Treasurer NY Chapter PalAm

PO Box 8811

Albany, NY 12208





30 November 2021

Severson Cemetery, Altamont

 Albany County has many wonderful small cemeteries throughout the region. Some are hidden, some are lost, and some are abandoned. However, the Severson Cemetery in rural Altamont is undergoing some needed attention. It is not that the cemetery is dilapidated. Simply, it is old. The marble gravestones are wearing and beginning to become difficult to read. Recently all of the gravestones were cleaned with D2 Biological Solution, which made transcribing the stones a little easier. Two broken gravestones were repaired. A few gravestones were repaired many years ago; unfortunately, with incorrect materials. But at that time there were no specific standards and materials for making repairs.



In 1940, Guilderland Town Historian, William A. Brinkman did a survey of early burial places in the Town of Guilderland.[i] Findings of his study can be found online; please click here to access it. Below is a page from his report on the Severson Cemetery. The red number corresponds to the gravestones in the provided cemetery plot layout. Updates to the Brinkman study are also marked in red. Please view the endnotes for further information. It appears that some of the gravestones were moved and are no longer present on the site in October 2021.

On the old Severson farm of 1760, now George H. Brandel, about 100 feet east the house at Altamont are forty-five stones visible and other graves with no markers.[ii]


Nicholas Severson, died 1845 aged 75 years [#1][iii]
Elizabeth Severson, wife, died 1794 aged 24 years [
#2][iv]
Sarah Severson, wife, died 1852 aged 70 years [
#3][v]
George Severson, died 1813 aged 47 years [
#4]
Margaret Mann, wife, died 1801, aged 34 years [
#5][vi]
Frederick Severson, died 1838 aged 70 years [
#6]
John N. Severson, died 1871 aged 79 years [
#7][vii]
Martha Deforest, wife, died 1878 aged 83 years [
#8]
Elizabeth Severson, daughter of John N. died 1830 aged 16 years [
#9]
Christina Severson, daughter of John N. died 1840 aged 13 years [
#10]
Elizabeth Severson, daughter of John N. died 1841 aged 10 years [
#11]
Philip J. Severson, died 1843 aged 27 years [
#12][viii]
Nicholas Severson, died April 8, 1872 aged 53 years [
#13][ix]
John J. Van Aernam, died April 29, 1814 aged 84 years, 2 months and 29 days. An Ensign in War of the Revolution. [
#14]
Gitty Severson, wife, died June 5, 1822 aged 90 years, 2 months, 11 days [
#15][x]
George VanAernam, died 1827 aged 61 years [
#16][xi]
Henrietta Crounse, daughter of Jacob, died 1836 aged 4 years [
gravestone not found in October 2021 by CSW]
John H. Livingston, son of James, died 1850 aged 16 months [
#17] [incorrect, 6 months]
Elizabeth Snyder, wife of W.Snyder, died 1796 aged 77 years [
gravestone not found in October 2021 by CSW]
I. Kidnie 1772 [
#18]
I V Aosp A+P 16-1781 [
gravestone not found in October 2021 by CSW]
I V S SOBII 1771 [
gravestone fragment recently found in rubble pile in August 2021 by the property owners of the lot]
E.M.1768 10 A G [
gravestone not found in October 2021 by CSW]
Hero 4S Wever did June 26, 1785 aged 75 years [
gravestone not found in October 2021 CSW]
I B D Mo 25 A. 22Ye 1778 [
gravestone not found in October 2021 by CSW]
A P 24, 1778 M.W. 60 [
gravestone not found in October 2021 by CSW]
OTB 21, 1775 C+S [
gravestone not found in October 2021 by CSW]


Below is the cemetery layout of the graves. The squares with names indicate gravestones. The diamond symbol indicates a footstone with initials.



Below are photographs and gravestone inscriptions that were transcribed to the best of my ability.

#1 Nicholas Severson

Nicholas Severson
Photo courtesy K. Gaige, 2021

In

Memory of

NICHOLAS SEVERSON

who departed this Life

March 15, 1845

AGED 75 YEARS

3 Months and 23 Days


#2 Elizabeth Terpening 

Elizabeth Terpening
gravestone fragment

_____ BORN AUGUST 8, 1760

DYED JANUARY 20 1793

__AR BELOVED SISTER OF OUR

LORD

#3 Sarah Severson

Nicholas Severson

In

Memory of Sarah Wife of

NICHOLAS SEVERSON

who departed this Life

April 29, 1852

AGED 70 YEARS

7 Months and 5 Days

#4 George Severson

George Severson

In

Memory of

GEORGE SEVERSON

Who departed this life

Aug.13, 1813 aged 47

Years 1 month & 9 days

#5 Margaret Severson

Margaret Severson

IN

Memory

of MARGARET, wife

of George Severson

who departed this life

December 27th 1801

age 34 years 11 months

and 23 days

#6 Frederick Severson

Frederick Severson 

Frederick Severson
footstone

   #7 John N. Severson

John N. Severson

OUR FATHER

JOHN N. SEVERSON

DIED

April 27, 1871

Aged 79 years

3 Months

& 3 days


John N. Severson
footstone


#8 Martha DeForest Severson


Martha DeForest Severson


OUR MOTHER

MARTHA DEFOREST

WIFE OF

JOHN N. SEVERSON

died __ ___ 1878

Aged 83 years

3 Months & 8 Days

Martha DeForest Severson
footstone

#9 Elizabeth Severson

Elizabeth Severson

In

Memory of

Elizabeth Daughter of

JOHN N. & MARTHA SEVERSON

Who departed this Life

April __, 1830

AGED 16 YEARS

__ Months __ Days

Elizabeth Severson
footstone

#10 Christina Severson

Christina Severson

In

Memory of

Christina Daughter of

JOHN N. & MARTHA SEVERSON

Who departed this Life

March 9, 1840

AGED 13 YEARS

__ Month __ Days

Christina Severson
footstone

#11 Elizabeth Severson

Elizabeth Severson

In

Memory of

Elizabeth Daughter of

JOHN & MARHTA SEVERSON

Who departed this Life

Jan. __ 1841

AGED 10 YEARS

6 Months 2 Days

Elizabeth Severson
footstone

#12 Philip J. Severson

Philip J. Severson

In

Memory of

PHILIP J. SEVERSON

who departed this Life

Dec. 11 1843

AGED 27 YEARS.

10 MONTHS and __ Days

#13 Nicholas J. Severson


NICHOLAS J. SEVERSON

DIED

APRIL 9, 1872

Aged 55 years

3 Months

& 9 Days

Our dear

Our cares for thee are o’er

We hope in Heaven to meet thee

--- their on the heavenly shore

Nicholas J. Severson
footstone


#14 John I. van Aernam

John I. van Aernam

In Memory of

John I. Van Aernam

Who departed this

Life on the 29th day

Of April A.D.

1814

Aged 84 years

2 months and 29

days.

Blessed are the dead which die

in the Lord from henceforth yea

saith the Spirit that they may

rest from their labours and their

works do follow them.


John I. van Aernam
footstone


#15 Gitty van Aernam

Gitty van Aernam

In Memory of

Gitty Van Aernam

Wife of

John I. Van Aernam

Who departed this

Life on the 5th day

Of June A.D.

1822.

Aged 90 years 2

Months and 11 days.

Blessed are the poor in spirit.

For theirs the Kingdom of

Heaven.


Gitty van Aernam
footstone


#16 George van Aernam

George van Aernam


In Memory of

George Van Aernam

Who departed this

Life on the 9th day

Of Sept. A.D.

1827

Aged 61 years

9 months and

23 days.

All hail my friends and cast away

As you are now so one was I

As I am now you soon shall be,

Prepare for death to follow me.


George van Aernam
footstone


#17 John Henry Livingston

John Henry Livingston

JOHN HENRY

Son of James & Sarah

Livingston

DIED

May 5, 1856

Aged 6 months

& 8 days


John Henry Livingston
footstone



#18 I. Kidnie


1772

I K

Examples of slate gravestone fragments




A gravestone fragment that was encased in cement in 1948. This piece should be placed in the cemetery area so that it does not disappear. It is impossible to determine exactly where the piece was originally.

Photo courtesy K. Gaige





[i] William A. Brinkman, compiler,  A Memorial, Records of early burial places on the farms in the town of Guilderland, N.Y. and surround towns (Altamont, New York: n.p., 1940); USGenNet, “Links for the Town of Guilderland” (http://www.vanderheijden.org/gen/guilderland/text.html#Location : accessed 29 November 2021).

[ii] Today a total of 33 gravestones and footstones are present. What happened to 12 gravestones is a mystery at this point. Perhaps some fragments will appear in a rubble pile near the cemetery.

[iii] Online Ancestry researchers suggest that Nicholas (gravestone #1), George (gravestone #4), and Frederick (gravestone #6) were brothers. Sons of Johannes Severson and Maria van Wormer.

[iv] It is a hypothesis that this individual listed by Brinkman is the gravestone attributed to Elizabeth Terpening. Elizabeth was the first wife of Nicholas Severson (gravestone #1). This gravestone is left of Nicholas’ gravestone. According to marriage records from the Schenectady Dutch Reformed church that were compiled by the Holland Society of New York in Schenectady Marriages, Volume 5, Book 45, Page 54, Nicholas Siversen, Ju. Met Elizabeth Teerpenning, bey de van de Hellenbergh [on] 9 December 1790.

[v] Sarah was the second wife of Nicholas Severson. She is buried to his right. Online Ancestry researchers suggest that Sarah’s maiden name is Post; daughter of Benjamin Post and Catheyntje van Orden.

[vi] The researcher is not sure of the source for Margaret’s maiden name- Mann. Online Ancestry researchers also suggest Mann as her maiden name without documentation.

[vii] John N. Severson was a veteran of the War of 1812. “War of 1812 Pension Files,” Fold3 (https://www.fold3.com/image/677377521 : accessed 29 November 2021), John N. Severson, pension number 6906.

[viii] Online Ancestry researchers suggest that Philip J. was a son of John N. Severson and Martha DeForest Severson.

[ix] The 1870 Federal Census indicates that 51 year-old Nicholas was insane. 1870 U.S. census, Albany County, New York, population schedule, Guilderland, p. 12 (penned), dwelling 78, family 87, line 32, John N. Severson household; database with images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 29 November 2021), citing National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) microfilm publication M593, roll 902.

[x] According to marriage records from the Schenectady Dutch Reformed church that were compiled by the Holland Society of New York in Schenectady Marriages, Volume 5, Book 45, Page 54, Johannes van Arnhem I.M. en Jeertruy Sieversen byde van Renselaars Colonie [on] 25 October 1755. Online Ancestry researchers suggest that Gitty was an aunt to Nicholas, George, and Frederick Severson.

[xi] Further research might indicate that George is a son of John I. van Aernam and Gitty Severson.



30 August 2021

Slingerland Family Burial Vault

 The Slingerland Family Burial Vault was recently renovated. On Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at 11 a.m. the burial site will be re-dedicated. See the attached flyer for further details.


Please contact the Town Historian Susan Leath, sleath@townofbethlehem.org or 518.209.5855 for further details.


13 August 2021

Capital District Genealogical Society Virtual Conference

The Capital District Genealogical Society is pleased to announce that we are holding a virtual conference in lieu of our regular scheduled meeting on Sept 25, 2021 from 9am to 5pm on Zoom. 

 At this time, both members and the public are invited to register. Please see our website under meetings and events
 Registration: Members: $35 & Non-Members: $40. 

 Presentations:     
"The Jones Jinx: Tracing Common Surnames" Thomas W. Jones This case study will explain how missing, erroneous, and altered records were overcome to identify the parents of an orphan named Jones. Attendees will learn research strategies that they can use to solve their own common-surname problems. 

"Getting the Most From Your DNA Matches" Fred Voss Getting started with researching your DNA matches means having your family information well organized and using the right tools from your DNA test vendor to help you narrow your search for the Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA). Mr. Voss will talk about working your way through the best techniques and tools to help connect to that unknown match. A step by step case study is included. 

 "Photo e Detective Roadshow" Maureen Taylor Have you ever wished that I could comto your meeting to look at your pictures? Well now I can. If you’ve watched Antiques Roadshow, then you know how this works. It’s a virtual show and tell. This is a totally interactive event in which members of CDGS submit photos ahead of time and then meet virtually with me to learn about the specific clues I uncover in the photos. The Roadshow Format - basically a group live consult via internet connection - Details for submitting a photograph will be posted to the CDGS Conference website. Only fifteen (15) photos will be selected. This is a "MEMBERS ONLY” offering however, all Conference attendees will be able to attend the session. There will be a $15 fee if your photo is selected. 

"Honesty, Courtesy, and Confidentiality: Ethics for Family Historians" Thomas W. Jones How do “ordinary” genealogists benefit from ethics? How should family historians handle “sensitive” information like adoption, illegitimate birth, law-breaking, and suicide? What are standards of fair use and courtesy? The presenter will answer these questions and address issues related to ethics for all family historians. 

"Organizing Your DNA Matches: Introduction to the Leeds Method" Fred Voss So you log on to your DNA test site and it says you have 1139 matches. OK, what are you going to do next? Mr. Voss will talk about organizing your DNA along family lines by color clustering using the popular Leeds Method. Simple examples take you step by step through this organizing approach.



11 July 2021

Hands-on Gravestone Conservation Workshop

 

Hands-on Gravestone Conservation Workshop

When: Saturday, 24 July 2021

Where: Beverwyck Cemetery, Washington Ave., Rensselaer, near Doane Stuart School

Time: 8:30 AM till 1 PM

 

In our outdoor classroom, the Beverwyck Cemetery, learn hands-on, the proper methods and what materials are used to correctly conserve gravestones. Christopher White, genealogist, historian, and gravestone conservator will lecture, demonstrate, and instruct one-on-one with attendees the following:

∙ Different types and styles of gravestones

∙ Problems associated with gravestones

∙ Knowing your limitations

∙ Proper method for cleaning gravestones

∙ Resetting tablet style gravestones

∙ Resetting mortise and tenon gravestones

∙ Repairing broken gravestones



10 May 2021

Boston University Certificate in Genealogy Review

My online course through Boston University is now complete. Yesterday, I received my grade on my final project and was pleased with my grade. Final grades are not yet sent out however I was able to compute my grade. In the next few weeks I hope to have my certificate in hand after it is mailed out.

The biggest take-a-way that I have and want to pass on to prospective students for the 15 week certificate in genealogy course is to make sure that you have the time to invest in the course. If you do not have "a lot" of extra time, please reconsider enrolling. The course will consume an enormous amount of your time. The reading can be heavy at times but the time involved in the writing and the research assignments is daunting. I estimate that I spent a minimum of 30 hours per week on the course; sometimes more.

Years ago, as an adult and working full-time, I enrolled at the University of Albany to begin studies for my Bachelors and later Masters in History. This was a lot of work and took almost nine years. In my opinion, the BU course was more intensive, demanding, and nerve wracking then when I was a college student. And the the certificate in genealogy course does not carry any college credit nor does it earn you the title of being a Certified Genealogist or CG.

The BU course is taught by genealogy professionals and it will help you become a better genealogist by learning and applying the five-step fundamentals of the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) to answer your genealogical question.
    1) Conduct a reasonably exhaustive search for all information
    2) Compile complete citations for each information item
    3) Analyze and correlate information used as evidence
    4) Resolve any conflicts contrary to answering the question
    5) Write a coherent conclusion based on the evidence

Other key learning points include:
    1) Learning about evidence analysis.
            Sources provide information that identify evidence for analysis.
    2) The proper method of writing source citations.
    3) Uses of DNA testing.
    4) Genealogical writing: proof statements, proof arguments, and proof summaries.

I found the course very worth while. Even if you consider yourself a hobbyist genealogist this course still may be for you especially if you wish to up your game in genealogy. My next course of action is to get on the waiting list and enroll in the 14 month ProGen study group.

Presently there are numerous gravestones waiting for me... 

18 April 2021

Boston University Certificate in Genealogy Program : Week 12

 Well, I have not posted in quite a while due to the demands of the BU program. Initially I believed that many of the reviews regarding the time commitment for the program might have been exaggerated. The time involved in this is huge. That is if you want to be successful.

There is a little more than two weeks left in the program. Yes, I am still in it. I cannot say that the course was easy. It was not. The instructors want you to succeed but you are working completely on your own.

Was it worth it? Yes, I feel that I will be a better genealogist if I continue to use the methods and practiced that are taught in the course. I am still hoping for that sheepskin.

22 March 2021

Earth Day : Cleanup at New Mount Ida Cemetery, Troy, NY

 The City has sent out a press release to schedule annual Earth Day cleanups this year.


Our work in the New Mount Ida Cemetery will be Saturday, April 17th from 9-2pm. We will pile up brush, pick up trash and also bring back the chain hoist to fix or straighten monuments. Or any other projects that come up that volunteers wish to do. The city is giving away lawn and leaf bags. It also sounds like promotional items such as magnets and stickers will be available to hand out to volunteers as well. So we will have to try to get some when we pick up the bags.

05 March 2021

Palatines to America German Genealogy Society - NY Chapter Upcoming Presentations

 The Palatines to America German Genealogy Society is hosting two great Zoom presentations on cemeteries. 

  • Wednesday, 24 March 2021, 6:30 PM "Lost Graveyards in Germantown, New York" by Tom Shannon, Town Historian for the Town of Germantown, NY.
  • Wednesday, 21 April 2021, 6:30 PM "Gravestone Conservation for the Genealogist" by Christopher White, genealogist and gravestone conservator.
Please view this link for Zoom specifics and presentation details. Pre-registration is not required.

The New York Chapter of Palatines to America German Genealogy Society has a Facebook page and a website.


 

04 March 2021

Slingerland Vault

 The Slingerland Vault now has its door attached to the vault. It has been a long process to get the vault restored. But it was worth it. Simply, it looks great! Many hands and many donations came in to help get this project completed.

I am not sure what other items are on the list for a final completion, but please view the photo below. Also for a history of this project check the website of The Slingerland Family Burial Vault for more details.