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.
A blog that discusses Albany, New York area history. Areas of focus include historical and genealogical research, documentation, ethnicity, cemeteries, gravestone restoration, and historic landmarks.
08 January 2022
Saturday on the Stoop... or Porch
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.
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]
![]() |
| 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
![]() |
| Elizabeth Terpening gravestone fragment |
_____ BORN AUGUST 8, 1760
DYED JANUARY 20 1793
__AR BELOVED SISTER OF OUR
![]() |
| 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
![]() |
| 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 |
![]() |
| 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.
![]() |
| 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 |
![]() |
| John Henry Livingston |
JOHN HENRY
Son of James & Sarah
Livingston
DIED
May 5, 1856
Aged 6 months
& 8 days
[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.
13 August 2021
Capital District Genealogical Society Virtual Conference
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





































