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.

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