Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region

This week's historical organization plug is on the Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital District. The following information was taken verbatim from its website.

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HISTORY PROJECT
194 LIVINGSTON AVENUE
ALBANY, NY 12210
TEL: 518-432-4432

WEB: https://undergroundrailroadhistory.org

MISSION UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HISTORY PROJECT RESEARCHES AND PRESERVES THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL HISTORY OF THE ANTI-SLAVERY AND UNDERGROUND RAILROAD MOVEMENTS, THEIR INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS, AND THEIR LEGACIES TO LATER STRUGGLES; IT ENGAGES IN PUBLIC EDUCATION AND DIALOGUE ABOUT THESE MOVEMENTS AND THEIR RELEVANCE TO MODERN SOCIETY. WHAT IS THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD? The Underground Railroad was the movement that enslaved African Americans used to gain freedom in the 19th Century. The Capital Region of New York State was visited by thousands of fugitives seeking freedom in the years prior to the Civil War. URHPCR, Inc. seeks to acknowledge the active underground railroad movement in our region, to raise awareness about and stimulate interest in this little recognized and inspiring part of our history, to understand it in its historic context, to encourage the recognition of local historic figures and the activities in which they engaged, to preserve that history, and to relate that history with us today. WHAT IS UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HISTORY PROJECT? Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, Inc. (URHPCR) is a non-profit organization that seeks: To promote and encourage knowledge and understanding of the Underground Railroad Movement and its genesis and legacy in the Capital Region and in New York State, and as a significant element of the history of the United States; To acknowledge the participation in, cooperation among, and felicity between African- and other Americans in the Underground Railroad Movement; To promote and encourage historical research on the Underground Railroad Movement in the Capital Region, in New York, and in the United States; To gather, preserve, display, and make available for study artifacts, relics, books, manuscripts, papers, photographs, and other records and materials relating to the history of the Underground Railroad Movement in the Capital Region and New York State; To encourage the suitable marking of places of historic interest relating to the Underground Railroad Movement in the Capital Region; To purchase, gift, devise, or otherwise acquire the title to or the custody of historic sites and structures relating to the Underground Railroad Movement in the Capital Region, to preserve and maintain such sites and structures, and to interpret them for the benefit of the public; and To place the Underground Railroad movement in its proper context as the first civil rights movement, and as part of the ongoing struggle for equity, freedom, and justice. Since its incorporation in 2003, this effort has created a strong program of education and research that celebrates and preserves the story of the Underground Railroad in Albany and the Capital Region and its relationship with us today.URHPCR has identified the key primary and secondary figures and their activities, and has developed a general outline of the local history of the movement. We offer here research about local Underground Railroad figures and the local story. We ask you to help us in this work. If you would like to help us in the programs we do please get in touch with us. The story of the local Underground Railroad is compelling, dramatic, and something that can help us in the present day as we struggle with many of the issues that arose then and are still with us today. These are issues such as civil rights, voting rights, education in the community and for African Americans, self-determination, constitutional rights questions, and even international relations. If you know of such information that can help us as we research and document the UGRR in the Capital Region, please contact us!

Watervliet Historical Society

This week's society plug is for the Watervliet Historical Society (WHS). The WHS has a web presence on Facebook. Information on WHS is below:

Watervliet Historical Society
1501 1st Ave
Watervliet, New York

Just behind the Watervliet Public Library

Phone: 518.272.0715
Hours: 11:00AM - 4:00PM
Email: waterliethistoricsociety@albany.twcbc.com

Mailing Address: 

Watervliet Historical Society
PO Box 246
Watervliet, New York, 12189

Upcoming Event: Time Line of World History

Details: 

The Watervliet Historical Society is pleased to announce that on Saturday, August 19th and Sunday, August 20th, a display of military uniforms, customs, drills and weapon demonstrations through the ages will be presented at the Schuyler Flatts Historical Park in Menands. This event is sponsored by the Watervliet Historical Society with support from other local historical groups.
It is FREE and the public is most welcome. Hours are 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Food is available.
There will be a strong representation by U.S. Civil War re-enactors, both North and South, including infantry, artillery, army and navy. But there will also be 20th Century American, German and Italian units as well as Roman Empire, Viking and Colonial American presentations.
For more information please contact the Watervliet Historical Society’s Jim Verhagen at (518) 268-3428.

der Turnverein

The Turnverein, or gymnastic society, was a large societal group in German-American communities.  The Turners sponsored outdoor athletic festivals that displayed the physical prowess of young German men.  Albany did indeed have Turnvereine; however, most Turner groups in Albany appeared to be short-lived societies.  The first Turnverein in Albany was the Social Turnverein.  It was founded in May 1851 and incorporated in 1860, with approximately thirty men.[1]  August Tolle was the president of the society in 1866.  The group met at 293 Washington Avenue- George Tolle’s lagerbeer garden and saloon- until Turn Halle at 83 Green Street was purchased.  Inside Turn Halle was a saloon which was operated by Stephen Schreiber in 1866; William A. Schneider in 1869; Charles Seifferth in 1872; and Michael Tommaney in 1873.  Turn Halle later became known as Adelphi Hall in 1876.  In 1862, the Social Turnverein organized a Gesangverein- the Turner Liederkranz.  The group utilized the talents of Johann Föhr as their conductor.  However, according to historian Andrew Yox, most Turner singing societies “featured a large ensemble of men that impressed an audience more by their resolve than by their virtuosity.”[2] Nevertheless, the entourage participated in the Tenth Northeastern Saengerfest at Philadelphia on July 13-18, 1867.[3]

Albany’s second Turnverein, the Capitol Turnverein was incorporated on May 5, 1869, and consisted mainly of residents from the western section of the city.  A Gesangverein was created in the Capitol Turnverein in 1877 but, was short-lived and lasted only eight months.[4] However, the ill-fated Capitol Gesangverein hosted a Turner festival with a prize singing contest on July 20-22, 1878.  Visiting societies from Utica and Troy were treated to a reception at 293 Washington Avenue- Ferdinand Lange’s saloon and Biergarten.[5]  The Capitol Turnverein disappeared from the city directories after 1883.  Albany’s German population was not large enough and committed to support two separate Turnvereine; therefore the Albany Turnverein was incorporated on October 4, 1883, after the merger of the Social and Capitol Turnvereine.  The union created a Turnverein with 126 members.  The membership met at the Maenner-Quartett Halle.[6]  The Albany Turnverein vanished from city directories after the 1899 directory.  Another Turnverein, the Teutonia Turnverein, appeared in the city directories only one year- 1893.  In 1911, the Schenectady Herold-Journal announced that the Turners of the South End were preparing for a rebirth of the organization.[7] Unfortunately this desire never materialized.

---

[1] n. a., Geschichte der Deutschen in Albany und Troy, pp. 91-95.

[2] Yox, “Bonds of Community: Buffalo’s German Element,” New York History 66(2): 146.

[3] n. a., Geschichte der Deutschen in Albany und Troy, p. 77.

[4] Ibid., p. 95.

[5] Albany Evening Times, July 22, 1878, 3:4.

[6] n. a., Geschichte der Deutschen in Albany und Troy, pp. 95-97, 179.

[7] Schenectady Herold-Journal, June 16, 1911, 4:2.

Saturday's Society : Albany's Deutsch Vereine

German-American's from Albany years ago created well over 100 clubs and societies. As time past, the majority of these groups disbanded or faded away from the scene. A brief history of these societies will be presented over the next few weeks.

The Germans outdid all of the immigrant nationalities in the number of Vereine or societies, clubs, and organizations that their respective ethnicities established. Socially, there were two subdivisions of Germans. Individuals whose bonds with German culture centered in secular societies are identified as Vereindeutschen or club Germans. Club Germans were oriented towards secular values and attitudes. They created their own agencies: schools, benevolent institutions, singing societies, and auxiliary organizations.

Joining a Verein or society/club gave its members a sense of cultural unity through the offering of social support in the struggle of their members to advance economically in society. Most of these societies enjoyed picnics and outings to the various parks and groves of the day. The majority of Vereine drew heavily for their membership from the ranks of the lower middle class: skilled craftsmen, factory workers, clerks, and petty merchants.[1] 

The secular organizations included singing societies, shooting clubs, card clubs, fire companies, and Vereine for veterans of the German army.[2] Also, included were Unterstützungvereine, or benevolent aid societies, that aided the poor and recent immigrants. German-speaking lodges were established that were affiliated with national organizations such as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows or IOOF. The Sons of Hermann or OdHS and the German Order of Harugari or DOH were strictly German. Comically, it is said that if you “put three Germans together, in five minutes you’ll have four clubs.”[3]

Albany’s largest ethnic group- the Irish, were more sedate than the Germans. Their organizations were mainly concerned with collecting funds to help Ireland’s starving poor and to sustain its legislature in its struggle for Irish freedom in the British parliament.[4] Some of Albany’s Irish associations included the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick, established in 1806, and the Hibernian Provident Society, incorporated in 1833. The United Irishmen of America was organized in 1873 and appeared in city directories between 1878 and 1893. The Ancient Order of Hibernians, or AOH, was organized in 1858. By 1901 the AOH included four divisions: Division No. 2, Division No. 4, Division No. 5, and Division No. 7. Around 1889 the Parnell Irish National League, No. 858 was cited until after 1892. In 1908 the Gaelic Literary Club appeared in the city directories for one year. 

Conversely, many German immigrants formed associations that were committed to a pan-German Kultur as a superior and enjoyable mode of life. Simply, they were idealists who desired an effective fusion of European ideals and American opportunities.[5] They attempted to realize this through the preservation and retention of the German language through the creation of German social institutions.

The second subdivision of Germans was the Kirchendeutschen, or church Germans.  Their common value was their strong commitment to religious principles.  They paid little attention to secular affairs occurring in their community.  The church was the center of their social lives.  Not only did the church isolate the immigrant from the forces of Americanization by organizing German schools, clubs, social affairs, and cultural events; it also crystallized the social relationship that its members desired to retain from their European heritage.[6]

As long as German-Americans had their own language or dialect, their social structure could hold like iron.  Amalgamation with American social life would be impossible.  Language retention was the cornerstone of all efforts to maintain ethnic solidarity.[7] But with the older generation dying off and with fewer new German immigrants to replenish the dwindling numbers, the inclination for English usage was inevitable.

---

[1] Luebke, Bonds of Loyalty, pp. 43-44.

[2] Ibid., p. 42.

[3] Hofmeister, The Germans of Chicago, p. 114.

[4] Reimer, “Ethnicity in Albany, N. Y., 1888-1908,” p. 91.

[5] Yox, “Bonds of Community: Buffalo’s German Element,” New York History 66(2): 142.

[6] Lapham, “The German-Americans of New York City,” p. 85.

[7] Yox, “Decline of the German-American Community in Buffalo,” p. 108. Marcus L. Hansen, “The History of American Immigration as a Field for Research,” The American Historical Review 32(3): 509.

Hudson River Maritime Museum

Anyone who has ancestors who worked on the Hudson River should check the website of the Hudson River Maritime Museum (HRMM) and consider a visit to the museum itself. The HRMM was established in 1980 and is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries, and related industries. It is the only museum in New York State exclusively dedicated to this mission.

The museum has collected artifacts include historic vessels, objects, archival material and art related to Hudson River transportation, industries and recreation such as paintings, prints, photographs, ephemera, blueprints, artifacts, ship models, a 100-year old shad boat, life boats, lighthouse tender and ice yachts. The HRMM shares its knowledge, research, and collections through public events, lectures, education programs and activities, exhibitions, and publications. 

Today, the museum features annual exhibits, free public events, educational programs for adults and children alike, continually updated and improved by both staff and volunteers. ​

The HRMM is located at
Hudson River Maritime Museum
50 Rondout Landing
Kingston, NY 12401 

845.338.0071

Support the HRMM by becoming a member of the museum. Various levels membership include:
Student/Educator - $15 with school ID
Basic - $25
Household - $50

See their web site for details and perks of membership

Saturday's Society : Rensselaer County Historical Society

The Rensselaer County Historical Society and Museum (RCHS) was established in 1927 to promote and encourage historical research on the early history of Rensselaer County. They gather and preserve materials relating to the county. The Society has an impressive website located here. A small listing of the holdings of the RCHS include:

• Rensselaer County Surrogate Court Records - estate files for over 30,000 residents of the county between 1791 and 1915 used for genealogy and other historical research projects.
• Burden Iron Works Archives - documents the company's impact worldwide from this 19th-century manufacturing company.
• Photographic Collection - 10,000 images of people, places, events from the early 1840s to the early 2000s.
• Hart and Cluett Family Records - records and artifacts extensively documenting the Hart-Cluett Mansion.
• Historical Clothing and textiles, furniture and decorative art objects, tools, stoves and cast iron collection, dating from the late 18th century to present.
• Maps, city and county directories, cemetery records, church records, community organization archives, county home records and numerous other newspapers, and records

The RCHS is located in the Hart-Cluett House located at

57 Second Street

Troy, New York 12180

518.272.7232

Membership offers free passes and discounts for its programs and use of the library. Various levels of membership include 

Individual: $50

Student: $25

Aside from the Society's outstanding webpage, the RCHS has a strong web presence on Facebook and on Twitter @RensCoHistSoc

Saturday's Society : Historical Society of Esquatak

The Historical Society of Esquatak is this week's society plug. The Society was founded in 1971 by residents of the towns of Nassau and Schodack in Rensselaer County. Esquatak is a not-for-profit educational organization chartered by the New York State Education Department. Their mission is to identify and preserve the historic resources of the two towns. Beginning in the Fall during the month of September, lectures, presentations, and educational programs begin their season. Check the website for upcoming lectures.

Anyone with an interest in local history, antiques, genealogy, preservation of structures, cemeteries or other historic features should consider joining Esquatak to support our effort to promote an appreciation for our heritage and preserve at least some of the past for the future. A membership application can be downloaded from their website. All are welcome to join!

Esquatak has a presence on the Internet with
Esquatak's Facebook Page
Website

Monthly meetings take place at venues located in Schodack and Nassau. Please refer to the Program Schedule for exact locations.

Esquatak's Mailing Address:
The Historical Society of Esquatak
P.O. Box 241
East Schodack, NY 12063

Saturday's Society - Greenbush Historical Society

This week's Saturday's Society is the Greenbush Historical Society (GHS). The society was organized in 1972 and chartered by the New York State Education Department the following year. The focus of the society is on the Towns of North Greenbush and East Greenbush. The GHS holds historical programs about local and regional history. It promotes and aids in preservation of historic sites within the Town.

A few of its recent projects include the rrestoration of the historic Carner Family Cemetery on Best Road, a survey and clearing of the Van Rensselaer Family Cemetery on NY Route 9J, and a procurement of a storage site for the Society’s files, records and artifacts at the North Greenbush Town Historian’s Office.

Membership is open to anyone sharing an interest in the history of Greenbush.
Annual membership for an individual is $10 per year and a family membership is $15 per year.

Meetings are held at the East Greenbush Community Library. Its programs are open to the public, although registration is required due to seating limitations.

To register for a program call the East Greenbush Library at: 518.477.7476 or register online at the library website.

Upcoming Events include:

Wild Women of Rensselaer County, on 21 May 2017, presented by Kathy Sheehan, Rensselaer County Historian

Edmonia Lewis: East Greenbush African-American/Native American Sculptor, on 04 June 2017, presented by Bobbi Reno

Saturday's Society : Genealogy on Facebook

This week's genealogy society is not on a particular society. It is on an enormous list compiled by genealogist Katherine R. Willson. Her list is composed of the many Facebook groups and societies that are related to genealogy in some manner. Willson's website can be found here.

Social media is everywhere and it has a strong presence in the world of genealogy. As an aid to help others a portion of Willson's list is posted below. This list is not the result of my research. All credit is due to Katherine R. Willson.

The Genealogy on Facebook list is all encompassing. The latest version is over 300 pages. For simplicity I have cut and pasted her list from 2016 on the Facebook groups that are New York based. The urls are not linked and have not been checked.

NEW YORK

1607. Albany County, NY - Descendants of Early Hudson River Valley Families: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1608. Albany County, NY - Early Hudson River Valley Genealogy 1683-1773: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1609. Albany County, NY History & Genealogy: www.facebook.com/pages/Albany-County-New-York-History-Genealogy/226123027513435

1610. Appalachian Genealogy: www.facebook.com/AppalachianGenealogy

1611. Bronx County, NY Historical Society: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bronx-County-Historical-Society/158177394957

1612. Cemeteries of Western New York Project: www.facebook.com/TheCemeteriesOfWesternNewYorkProject

1613. Central New York Genealogical Society: www.facebook.com/CNYGS

1614. Central New York’s Mohawk Valley Region - Path Through History: www.facebook.com/mohawkvalleyhistory

1615. Chautauqua County, NY - Jamestown Historical Society & Fenton History Center: www.facebook.com/FentonHistoryCenter

1616. Clinton County, NY - Saranac Valley & Canada Genealogical Society: www.facebook.com/pages/Saranac-Valley-CCNY-and-Canada-Genealogy-Society/255393594506871

1617. Clinton County, NY Historical Association: www.facebook.com/ClintonCountyHistoricalAssociation

1618. Colony of New Netherland History & Genealogy (present-day Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania & Rhode Island): www.facebook.com/NewNetherlandHistory

1619. Columbia County, NY - Descendants of Early Hudson River Valley Families: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1620. Columbia County, NY - Early Hudson River Valley Genealogy 1683-1773: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1621. Delaware County, NY - Bovina Historical Society: www.facebook.com/pages/Bovina-Historical-Society/138807632835629

1622. Delaware County, NY - Town of Bovina Historian: www.facebook.com/bovinanyhistory

1623. Delaware County, NY Historical Association: www.facebook.com/pages/Delaware-County-Historical-Association-NY/269257042204

1624. Dutch in New Netherlands (New York), 1609-1674: www.facebook.com/groups/NewNetherlandDutch

1625. Dutchess County, NY - Beacon (Fishkill Landing & Matteawan) Genealogy Group: www.facebook.com/groups/746246578788258

1626. Dutchess County, NY - Descendants of Early Hudson River Valley Families: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1627. Dutchess County, NY - Early Hudson River Valley Genealogy 1683-1773: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1628. Dutchess County, NY Genealogy Group: www.facebook.com/groups/834642333254982

1629. Erie County, NY - Buffalo Genealogical Society of the African Diaspora: www.facebook.com/groups/213233678768299

1630. Erie County, NY - Buffalo History Museum: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Buffalo-History-Museum/35507276870

1631. Erie County, NY - Buffalo Irish Genealogical Society: www.facebook.com/BuffaloIrishGenealogicalSociety

1632. Erie County, NY - Langford/New Oregon Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/357697114922

1633. Erie County, NY - Vintage Buffalo (Photos & Articles): www.facebook.com/vintagebuffalony

1634. Genealogy Technology Interest Group of Central New York (CNY): www.facebook.com/groups/226695224012623

1635. Genesee County, NY Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/377475412287287

1636. Get Help with NY Family History: www.facebook.com/GetHelpWithNewYorkFamilyHistory 

1637. Greene County, NY - Cairo Historical Society: www.facebook.com/groups/111983588813394

1638. Greene County, NY - Descendants of Early Hudson River Valley Families: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1639. Greene County, NY - Early Hudson River Valley Genealogy 1683-1773: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1640. Greene County, NY - Town of Windham Historical Society: www.facebook.com/pages/Town-of-Windham-Historical-Society/46527396938

1641. Herkimer County, NY Historical Society: www.facebook.com/pages/Herkimer-County-Historical-Society/138289506216283

1642. Hispanic Genealogical Society of New York: www.facebook.com/pages/HGSNY-Hispanic-Genealogical-Society-of-New-York/351829253558

1643. Irish Family History Forum (Based in Long Island, but also covering Bronx, Brooklyn, Kings, Manhattan, Nassau, Queens, Staten Island & Suffolk Boroughs, NY): www.facebook.com/IrishFamilyHistoryForum

1644. Irish Genealogy in New York: www.facebook.com/groups/142484599457471/191511974554733

1645. Jefferson County, NY - Nostalgic Watertown: www.facebook.com/Nostalgic-Watertown-NY-125087347668743

1646. Jefferson County, NY Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/jeffersoncountynewyork

1647. Jewish Genealogy Society of New York: www.facebook.com/groups/62112838856

1648. Kings County, NY - Brooklyn Historical Society: www.facebook.com/BrooklynHistory

1649. Kings County, NY - Brooklyn History, Brooklyn Genealogy and Lost & Found: www.facebook.com/groups/678304068888346

1650. Kings, Queens, Nassau & Suffolk County, NY - Genealogy Federation of Long Island: www.facebook.com/groups/430270373798390

1651. Kings, Queens, Nassau & Suffolk County, NY - Jewish Genealogy Society of Long Island (Group): www.facebook.com/groups/JGSLI

1652. Kings, Queens, Nassau & Suffolk County, NY - Jewish Genealogy Society of Long Island (Page): www.facebook.com/pages/Jewish-Genealogy-Society-of-Long-Island-JGSLI/120817506514

1653. Kings, Queens, Nassau & Suffolk County, NY - Long Island Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/306920332837026

1654. Kings, Queens, Nassau & Suffolk County, NY - Long Island Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/81344396004

1655. Manhattan, NY Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/1559213587648298

1656. Nassau, Suffolk, Kings & Queens County, NY - Genealogy Federation of Long Island: www.facebook.com/groups/430270373798390

1657. Nassau, Suffolk, Kings & Queens County, NY - Jewish Genealogy Society of Long Island: www.facebook.com/groups/JGSLI

1658. Nassau, Suffolk, Kings & Queens County, NY - Long Island Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/81344396004

1659. Nassau, Suffolk, Kings & Queens County, NY - Long Island Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/306920332837026

1660. New York - Old Images of New York: www.facebook.com/groups/313455892154814

1661. New York Chapter for the Association for Gravestone Studies: www.facebook.com/New.York.Chapter.AGS

1662. New York City, NY - Organization for Grandchildren of Holocaust Survivors: www.facebook.com/groups/3GNewYork

1663. New York City, NY Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/57780952454

1664. New York City, NY National Archives: www.facebook.com/nationalarchivesnewyork

1665. New York Genealogical & Biographical Society: www.facebook.com/nyfamilyhistory

1666. New York Genealogy - Just Ask! www.facebook.com/groups/NewYorkGenealogyJustAsk

1667. New York Genealogy Group: www.facebook.com/groups/nygenealogy

1668. New York Genealogy Network: www.facebook.com/groups/210302895672550

1669. New York Genealogy: www.facebook.com/NewYorkGenealogyRecords

1670. New York Historical Society: www.facebook.com/nyhistory

1671. New York State Archives: www.facebook.com/nysarchives

1672. New York State Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/NewYorkStateGenealogy

1673. Niagara County, NY - Royalton Historical Society: www.facebook.com/pages/Town-of-Royalton-Historical-Society/176698222421913?id=176698222421913

1674. Niagara County, NY Genealogical Society: www.facebook.com/Niagara.County.Genealogical.Society

1675. Niagara County, NY Historian’s Office: www.facebook.com/pages/Niagara-County-Historians-Office/299057299891

1676. Niagara County, NY History Center: www.facebook.com/niagarahistorycenter

1677. Onondaga County, NY - Jewish Community of the 15th Ward (Preserving the History of the 9th, 15th-18th Syracuse Wards): www.facebook.com/groups/15thWard

1678. Onondaga County, NY - Local History & Genealogy at Onondaga County Public Library: www.facebook.com/ocpl.lhg

1679. Onondaga County, NY - Nostalgic Syracuse: www.facebook.com/groups/2226651976

1680. Onondaga County, NY Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/onondagacountynewyorkstategenealogy

1681. Ontario County, NY - East Bloomfield Historical Society: www.facebook.com/pages/East-Bloomfield-Historical-Society/233421727292

1682. Orange County, NY - Descendants of Early Hudson River Valley Families: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1683. Orange County, NY - Early Hudson River Valley Genealogy 1683-1773: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1684. Orange County, NY Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/1715282565363989

1685. Oswego County, NY Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/oswegocountynewyorkstategenealogy

1686. Polish Genealogical Society of New York State: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Polish-Genealogical-Society-of-New-York-State/125523827501958

1687. Putnam County, NY - Descendants of Early Hudson River Valley Families: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1688. Putnam County, NY - Early Hudson River Valley Genealogy 1683-1773: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1689. Queens, Nassau, Suffolk & Kings County, NY - Genealogy Federation of Long Island: www.facebook.com/groups/430270373798390

1690. Queens, Nassau, Suffolk & Kings County, NY - Jewish Genealogy Society of Long Island: www.facebook.com/groups/JGSLI

1691. Queens, Nassau, Suffolk & Kings County, NY - Long Island Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/81344396004

1692. Queens, Nassau, Suffolk & Kings County, NY - Long Island Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/306920332837026

1693. Rensselaer County, NY - Descendants of Early Hudson River Valley Families: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1694. Rensselaer County, NY - Early Hudson River Valley Genealogy 1683-1773: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1695. Rensselaer County, NY - Troy Irish Genealogical Society: www.facebook.com/pages/Troy-Irish-Genealogy-Society/264980077964

1696. Rensselaer County, NY Genealogy Group: www.facebook.com/groups/422922431244901

1697. Richmond County, NY - Friends of Abandoned Cemeteries of Staten Island: www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Abandoned-Cemeteries-of-Staten-Island-FACSI/158775687492624

1698. Rockland County, NY - Descendants of Early Hudson River Valley Families: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1699. Rockland County, NY - Early Hudson River Valley Genealogy 1683-1773: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1700. Rockland County, NY - Dutch Door Genealogy: www.facebook.com/pages/Dutch-Door-Genealogy/161720084156

1701. Schoharie County, NY Historical Society & Old Stone Fort Museum: www.facebook.com/oldstonefort

1702. Suffolk County, NY - Long Island East End Genealogy Family: www.facebook.com/groups/186909234791386

1703. Suffolk, Kings, Nassau & Queens County, NY - Genealogy Federation of Long Island: www.facebook.com/groups/430270373798390

1704. Suffolk, Kings, Nassau & Queens County, NY - Jewish Genealogy Society of Long Island: www.facebook.com/groups/JGSLI

1705. Suffolk, Kings, Nassau & Queens County, NY - Long Island Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/81344396004

1706. Suffolk, Kings, Nassau & Queens County, NY - Long Island Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/306920332837026

1707. Sullivan County, NY - Descendants of Early Hudson River Valley Families: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1708. Sullivan County, NY - Early Hudson River Valley Genealogy 1683-1773: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1709. Sullivan County, NY - Local History: www.facebook.com/groups/Sullivan.County.History

1710. Sullivan County, NY Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/593611020719282

1711. Sullivan County, NY Genealogy Society: www.facebook.com/Sullivan-County-NY-Genealogy-Society-919272588156663

1712. Tompkins County, NY History Center: www.facebook.com/tompkinshistory

1713. Ulster County, NY - Descendants of Early Hudson River Valley Families: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1714. Ulster County, NY - Early Hudson River Valley Genealogy 1683-1773: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1715. Ulster County, NY Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/680648592013639

1716. Washington County, NY Ancestors (affiliated w/Washington County, NY GenWeb): www.facebook.com/groups/washcty

1717. Westchester County, NY - Descendants of Early Hudson River Valley Families: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1718. Westchester County, NY - Early Hudson River Valley Genealogy 1683-1773: www.facebook.com/groups/819585878133232

1719. Westchester County, NY - Somers Historical Society: www.facebook.com/pages/Somers-Historical-Society/104464119586538

1720. Westchester County, NY Genealogical Society: www.facebook.com/pages/Westchester-County-Genealogical-Society/82588199143

1721. Western New York Genealogical Society: www.facebook.com/groups/WNYGS

1722. Wyoming County, NY Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/304183196316885

1723. Yates County, NY Genealogical & Historical Society: www.facebook.com/pages/Yates-County-Genealogical-Historical-Society/114839918540441

Revised 07 March 2016 (posted online at http://socialmediagenealogy.com/genealogy-on-facebook-list)

Copyright © 2013-2015 Katherine R. Willson (moonswings@gmail.com).

All rights reserved. 

Saturday's Society : Heritage Hunters of Saratoga County

This week's society is on the Heritage Hunters of Saratoga County. To my loss I am not familiar with this group. Having very few ancestral trails into Saratoga County I have yet to attend any of their meetings. But I am very willing to spread the word and plug any local genealogy society.

This material comes from their webpage. Heritage Hunters is a society dedicated to the study and preservation of genealogical and historic materials in and around Saratoga County, New York. Regular meetings are held on the third Saturday of each month at the Town of Saratoga's Town Hall. Meetings frequently include classes, lectures, workshops, seminars, and/or committee meetings. Guests are always welcome!

Please contact Heritage Hunters at for information on their programs.
Heritage Hunters
PO Box 270
Saratoga Springs, NY, USA 12866-0270

The Heritage Hunters maintains a library that contains a wide range of reference sources; including a collection of members' Surname pages, a variety of periodicals, instructional books, state and local histories, lists of primary sources and a few videotapes and other media. This library will be combined with the present resources of the Saratoga County Historical Society at Brookside Museum.

Saturday's Society :

The society profile this week is on the Deutscher Order von Harugari; an obscure German fraternal and benevolent society from Albany's past. A brief history on the Verein is below

Deutscher Orden von Harugari

The Deutscher Orden von Harugari, or the German Order of Harugari, hereafter DOH, was founded in New York City in 1847 to help maintain and preserve the German language. Soon DOH lodges appeared in Albany; the first was the Harmonia Lodge, No. 11 of the German Order of Harugari. The lodge was founded in 1848 with fifteen members. 

The lodge served as a literary and social society that sponsored lectures, debates, and musicals. In 1876 they met weekly at the Commercial Building located at 395 Broadway. As of 1897 the lodge still numbered fifteen members.[1] The Freie Brüder, or Free Brothers Lodge, No. 45 of the DOH was established on February 24, 1854, and met weekly at the Commercial Building in 1876. By 1872 the lodge counted 120 members. The lodge’s capital amounted to $6,597.49 in 1897. [2] In 1910 the group met in the saloon of Anton Hafner & Son, at 121 Madison Avenue. 

On November 23, 1873, another DOH lodge was established- the Deutsch Hoffnungs, or German Hope Lodge, No. 324. The lodge numbered ninety-four members in 1897, and its treasury amounted to $5,266.38.[3] Surprisingly, the lodge met at the same location, 206 Washington Avenue, from its inception till at least 1919. 

A women’s DOH lodge, the Columbia Frauen Lodge, No. 45 was established on January 12, 1893. Four years later membership totaled sixty-five women. The lodge acted a benevolent society that paid a benefit of $3.00 per week to sick members and a death benefit of $50. Its treasury totaled $1,200.[4] Other DOH lodges included the Morning Star Lodge, No. 105, which met at Liederkranz Halle in 1910. This lodge also had a ladies auxiliary. The Ex. Barden Society was the last DOH lodge organized. They met twice a month at 206 Washington Avenue between 1914 and 1919.

Another branch of the DOH was the D. R. of D. O. H. (Deutsche Ritter Deutscher Orden von Harugari), or the German Knights of the German Order of Harugari. They formed the Walliroth Commandry, No. 11, German Knights. The group met twice a month at German Hall in 1914 and then at 206 Washington Avenue in 1919. 

The DOH formed a Gesangverein, the Harugari Saengerbund, founded on March 9, 1884. Their mission was to promote German song and language. The entourage met at the Hotel Columbia until 1890, when they changed their practice venue to Eintracht Halle. 

On August 2-4, 1891, a Harugari Saengerfest was held in Albany. The headquarters for the Saengerfest were located at The Bavaria hotel at 38 Beaver Street. Harugari Gesangvereine traveled from New Haven, Philadelphia, Saint Louis, Buffalo, Syracuse, and Utica to compete at the Leland Opera House.[5] Sadly, a fire in 1893 destroyed most of the club’s possessions; therefore, the Gesangverein Caecilia held a fair and donated $1,400 for the Harugari Saengerbund. In 1897 sixteen active and thirty-six passive members paid a monthly dues of $.25.[6] The singing group disappeared from Albany’s city directories the following year.

---

[1] n. a., Geschichte der Deutschen in Albany und Troy, pp. 71, 213-215.

[2] Ibid., pp. 133, 215.

[3] Ibid., pp. 215-217.

[4] Ibid., p. 217.

[5] The Albany Evening Union, August 3, 1891, 1:4, August 4, 1891, 4:2.

[6] n. a., Geschichte der Deutschen in Albany und Troy, pp. 81, 169-177.

Saturday's Society : Capital District Genealogical Society

This week's Saturday's Society is on the local Capital District Genealogical Society. On and off since the late 1980s I was a member of this organization. I believe that I might have attended its very first meeting; which as I recall might have been held in a meeting room at the New York State Library.

The Society was founded in 1981 and the CDGS maintains a genealogy support desk at the New York State Library that is staffed by society volunteers Monday through Friday.

From the CDGS website its mission is:

• To teach members and other interested persons how to trace their family roots, lineage, or heritage;
• To provide help to those seeking information via queries on relatives and/or family who in the past had connections to the Capital District and adjacent counties;
• To educate the general public and membership by conducting special programs relevant to the purpose of the Society;
• To coordinate the interests and concerns of persons and/or organizations throughout the Capital District area, New York State and the country in the development of information and resources to better serve the purpose of the Society, the membership and the public at large. 

Their meetings are held at the Sanford Library (address below) on the fourth Saturday of each month; except for May when it is held on the third Saturday. There is no meeting in December.

William K. Sanford, Town of Colonie Library
629 Albany Shaker Road
Loudonville, N.Y. 12211

The meeting schedule follows as such:
12:00-1:00 Interest groups
1:00-2:30 Meeting and Speaker
2:30-3:30 Internet Resources

New York State Library:
The Capital District Genealogical Society maintains a genealogy support desk at the Library. This is operated by our volunteers who are on duty Monday - Friday.

Contact information for CDGS:

Captial District Genealogical Society
Empire State Plaza Station
PO Box 2175
Albany, New York 12220-0175

contactcdgs@gmail.com

Saturday's Society : Capital District Irish American Association

This week's Saturday Society profiles the Capital District Irish American Association (CDIAA). The association is located at 375 Ontario Street, Albany, NY in the former Knights of Columbus hall. From its web site:

The Capital District Irish American Association is a Capital Region membership organization established in 2002. The CDIAA is a warm, friendly gathering place that features a cozy Irish pub, commercial kitchen, large banquet hall, small dining room and lots of activities and events going on all year. Most Friday nights feature live music in the pub with drink specials and food prepared by our very own chef.

Our facility serves as home to several organizations including:

• Albany Rebels Gaelic Football Club
• Ancient Order of Hibernians
• Capital District Set Dancers 
• CDIAA Dart League
• Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann
• Farrell School of Irish Dance
• Knights of Columbus
• Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians

CDIAA works with these groups and many more to promote Irish culture, food, music, dance, and history events. Lectures, classes, and entertainers keep alive the history, music, and traditions that represent the best of Irish heritage. Other events include the "Dick Conners Luncheon" on the first Thursday of each month and Irish Set Dancing, Tuesdays at 7 PM.

Membership is not limited to any ethnicity, religion, or gender. Our membership is open to all individuals who want to learn more about, or become an active participant in any aspect of Irish culture.

Saturday's Society : Troy Irish Genealogy Society

This week's Saturday's Society is on the Troy Irish Genealogy Society (TIGS). For a heads up: the society is not only about Troy's Irish. The group aims to make local genealogical records available online and its focus covers many areas in the Capital District.

A few of their "projects" that are online that helped me greatly in my research are:

• St. John's Cemetery, Albany, Interment Records,  1841-1887
• Death Notices Appearing in Troy Newspapers, 1797-1860
• West Troy Advocate 
• St. Mary's Cemetery, Albany, Re-Interment Records
• St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, Interment Records, 1862-2013

TIGS has many many more records that were transcribed and put online and can be found on their website. Check them out. Join the group. Get involved and volunteer in the Capital District's genealogy community.

TIGS is also on Facebook.