Spring is on the Way! Riding Lawn Mower Needed

 Spring is on the way! Well, in 49 days. But the time will go fast. Soon, instead of shoveling snow we will be mowing grass. This post is sent out in the hopes of acquiring a riding lawn mower. The lawn mower will be used exclusively at the Evangelical Protestant Cemetery in Albany. Myself and others are still volunteering our time to keep the grounds manicured. Most times the grounds are mowed by people with multiple self-propelled walk-behind lawn mowers. It takes one person 12 hours, solo, to mow the cemetery with a walk-behind mower. It also takes 8 hours for one person to fully weed whack the grounds with a high-powered gas whacker.

 None of us are giving up on the cemetery. The cemetery has come such a long way that we refuse to let it go back to being overgrown and dangerous. During the Spring, Summer, and Fall the grounds are picturesque and beautiful. The Friends of the EvangelicalProtestant Cemetery are looking for a good used or donated riding lawn mower to make our task much easier for our volunteers. Our only request is that the mower must have a deck size of 46" or smaller to fit inside a storage area. Please contact us through this site if you have a good riding lawn mower that you are looking to sell or donate.

Saturday on the Stoop... or Porch

John Joseph Aloysius Gannon (Black Jack), one of my four great grandfathers. John was born in Coxsackie on 16 December 1887; as his immigrant parents, Michael Joseph Gannon (1865-1915) and Anne M. Cummins (1866-1927), made their journey North to Albany from New York City. 

John was a long time iron worker. He helped build many skyscrapers in NYC in the 1920s and 1930s. Supposedly his initials are carved in the stainless-steel roof on the art deco Chrysler Building which was completed in 1930. We will never know the truth to this family story.

John married Catherine Eger, daughter of German immigrants, George Eger (1865-1940) and Catherine Schuster (1870-1935) on 09 July 1910 in Albany. The photo was taken in the 1940s at 79 Tremont Street in Albany. The house was located on the south end of Tremont Street close to where Route 85 now travels. The house was demolished many years ago.

 

Archival Materials Suppliers

 Some genealogists use conservation and archival products products to store a host of rare family artifacts. Many of these items include photos, books, folios, maps, newspaper articles, and miscellaneous ephemera. Even though grandma or a distant cousin is the owner and holder of this old family stuff, these materials should be stored in a proper manner. Much of this material is probably a one-of-a kind find. If it is destroyed, even by accident, it is gone forever. Why not store your rare family items in the proper boxes and or albums.

 Most of us have been to libraries and archives for onsite research. We have seen the storage materials and holders that the repositories use to hold items in its collection. For your information you can also purchase these items. These products are not cheap but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for! You just need to know where to look. BTW, if your family photos are stored in those magnetic photo albums from the 1980s. They seemed great at the time but do a little online research and you will find that they are not good for your photos. Get em out and into the proper album. Please do not wait.

 So where do you find these archival storage boxes? Below is a listing of online vendors who carry these products. I am not endorsing any of these online vendors; but I have purchased from them in the past without issue.

• Adorama
• Amazon.com
• Archival Methods
• B&H Photo-Video-Audio
• Gaylord Archival
• University Products

RootsTech 2022, March 3-5, 2022

 It is that time of year again! RootsTech is around the corner, March 3-5, 2022. This is the world's largest genealogy conference. Usually it is held on site in Salt Lake City. Due to Covid, it is virtual and Free!

No registration fees, no airline fee, and no hotel charge. Yes, you can attend for free and in the comfort of your home. Check the registration link at RootsTech. The only requirement is that you set up a free FamilySearch account. Most genealogists already have an account. 

Some of the keynote speakers include:

• Apollonia Poilâne, baker
• Matthew Modine, actor

While on the RootsTech website please check out the classes that are offered. Over 500 sessions will be offered. Topics will include historical records, DNA, websites, tools, & apps.

Saturday on the Stoop... or Porch

 

This is a mystery photo. It came from the family photo collection of Charlotte Margaret Koreman Holtslag (1910-1999). In the 1990s when I acquired a copy of the original from Charlotte, I was told that the photo was taken on Osborn Street in Albany. The people shown in the photo are unknown Koreman relatives. The house has since been demolished.

History & Genealogy Programs at HVCC

 The following was cut and pasted from the web site of Hudson Valley Community College's Office of Community and Professional Education.

Below are upcoming inexpensive non-credit programs for anyone interested in local history and genealogy. Contact the Hudson Valley office for further information:

Office of Community and Professional EducationPhone: (518) 629-7339

Fax: (518) 629-8103

Email: communityed@hvcc.edu

Location: Guenther Enrollment Services Center, Room 252

Registration begins January 19th.

Town of Watervliet into the City of Watervliet

This fascinating program discusses the Town of Watervliet’s colonial origin from the manor of Rensselaerwyck to the fragmentation of the town from its founding in 1788 into smaller towns and villages. It also documents the changes that resulted in the transformation of the Town of Watervliet into the City of Watervliet. We’ll discuss the significance of three of these villages – Port Schuyler (formerly Washington) Gibbonsville and West Troy – and their merger into the incorporated Village of West Troy and then the City of Watervliet in 1896. Instructor Tom Ragosta.

Monday, 4/11
9:30 am - 11:30 am
$22

Oakwood Cemetery Walking Tour

Founded in 1848, Oakwood Cemetery in Troy was one of the first “rural cemeteries” in the country, with serpentine roads, lovely landscaping and beautiful monuments. We’ll stroll along Millionaire’s Row and hear fascinating stories about some of the influential citizens of 19th century Troy as well as interesting tales of some not-so-famous ‘residents.’ We’re always adding new stories when we discover them! Our walk will be highlighted by stops at the site where HBO filming was done for “The Golden Age” and at the panoramic overlook where you can see the Cohoes Falls, the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers and sometimes even a soaring hawk or bald eagle. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear good walking shoes. You might want to bring bottled water as well. This slow-paced walk is approximately 1.5 miles round trip and is on mainly level paved roads with one or two dirt paths. Course fee includes $15 materials fee. Heidi Norton Klinowski, Instructor Paula Johannesen, Coordinator.

Wednesday, 4/27
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
$25

Irish Genealogy - A Fresh Approach

Have you been researching your Irish ancestry and run into brick walls? Tired of seeing all those records that just say “Ireland”? Fed up with ancestors with the same name? It’s time for a new approach! Join genealogist-in-residence for the Irish American Heritage Museum Lisa Dougherty for some new ideas to locate that elusive place of origin for your Irish family!

Tuesday, 3/22
9:30 am - 11:30 am
$15

Getting Started With Your Family History

Genealogy, or the study of family history, has been described as the “fastest-growing hobby in America.” With the popularity of television shows like “Who Do You Think You Are,” the trend of giving DNA kits as gifts and the reconnecting of distant relatives using social media, it’s no wonder more Americans than ever before are interested in discovering their roots. Professional genealogist Lisa Dougherty will help you get started in the pursuit of your own family history by offering guidelines for gathering information, effectively using DNA testing and social media, and organizing your research.

Tuesday, 4/26
9:30 am - 11:30 am
$15

Let Those Meneely Bells Ring

We all have heard about them, some may have even seen a few, but the background of the Meneely bells is absolutely fascinating in the Troy area. Come get the scoop and hear all about them. What they were made of? How they were tuned? Where are they now? Find out the difference between a chime, a carillon and a peel. Instructor Gene Burns will share his experiences and fascinating knowledge.

Monday, 4/25
9:30 am - 11:30 am
$22

Update: Hank Z. Jones Palatine Book Collection

 The Eagle Has Landed! A few weeks back in late December, it was mentioned that Hank Jones was donating his entire personal library on Palatine German research to the Palatines to America German Genealogy Society. Yesterday the collection arrived here in New York; actually in Germantown, New York. How ironic. 

How did this happen so fast? Well, a PalAm member, Tom Shannon, flew to San Diego. Tom is also the Germantown Town Historian. He rented a mini-van, drove to Hank's house, they packed up the materials, and then Tom drove across the country to New York. The books arrived at the Germantown Library where they will be cataloged and shelved for research. 

The undertaking to acquire this collection was enormous. This is a huge benefit for genealogists who are researching Palatine Germans. Hank IS the authority on this subject. And now his personal library is here in New York. An enormous thank you goes to Hank for wanting us to become the holders of his personal library. Another thank you to Tom for taking the time to make the cross-country venture to bring the collection here. Thank you, Germantown Library for granting space and for becoming the keepers of this unique collection. Finally, thank you to those who donated funds towards this adventure. We could not have done it without you!

In the near future, the materials will be unboxed, cataloged, and shelved. I cannot give a time frame for when the books will be ready for use. Hopefully soon!

Saturday on the Stoop... or Porch

 

My paternal grandfather's grandmother or my great great grandmother, Mary A. Wilson White. She was born in Ireland on 19 June 1838. She immigrated to America sometime before marrying Charles William White on 23 September 1861 in Albany. Mary died on 23 December 1908 in Albany. She holds her granddaughter Clara Edna White. Clara was born on 27 November 1906 in Albany.

The colorized photo, courtesy of MyHeritage, was most likely taken in Spring/Summer 1907 on the front porch of 250 Sherman Street, Albany. The house since has been demolished.

Saturday on the Stoop... or Porch

 Beginning today, each Saturday a photo from the family vault will be posted. The photo will be of family members who are sitting or standing on the "stoop" or the front porch of their residence. A short bio will be provided.

This is a photo of my grandmother, Agnes Johanna Bailey Koreman, circa 1940. She was born 29 November 1919. Daughter of Henry J. Bailey and Mary Elizabeth Schick. This photo was taken on a second floor porch on Morton Avenue across from Lincoln Park. The family lived at 134 Morton Avenue. Perhaps this is the correct address. The exterior of the houses have changed since the photo was taken.

Saturday on the Stoop... or Porch

 

Agnes E. Murray Sweeney Schick (1862-1943) one of my great great grandmothers. Agnes was born in Cushina, County Laois (now Queens), Ireland. She immigrated to America circa 1882. She worked as a domestic. In New York City, she married John Sweeney around 1887 and had one son Edward (1888-1926) who was born in Brooklyn. John Sweeney died soon after and Agnes married Anton Schick in New York City circa 1890. Anton and Agnes moved to Albany by 1891. Two daughters were born in Albany and baptized at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Mary Elizabeth and Lillian Mae. Agnes is buried in St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands with her children Edward, Mary, and Lillian.