I have an ancestor (William O'Brien) who graduated from Grammar School No. 19 in 1855, went to City College (then the Free Academy) and graduated in 1860. He taught for 25 years before dying in 1885. According to his obit, he became an assistant teacher at No. 19, "the same school where he was a scholar", resigned to become vice principal of Grammar School No. 23 in the Sixth Ward. In 1880, he was named principal of No. 24 in the same ward. And in 1883, he was transferred back to Grammar School No. 19 as principal. He died in 1885 as principal of that school. He is one of my "mystery" ancestors, so I am trying to follow any clues I can, including where he lived (since William O'Brien is about as common as John Smith!). Does anyone know how I can identify where these schools were located? Does the Public School system or city College have a good archives of their employees or students. I know he lived at 312 East 86th St. when he died (and had for about four years according to city directories -- his wife Elizabeth died from that address April 9, 1885) and his mass was at Church of St. Joseph (East 57th) -- which I thought was primarily a German parish. I am trying to follow any clues I can ... and this is where I am now! Any ideas or thoughts will be appreciated. Deb Woolley

The NYC Board of Education headquarters moved from Joralemon St., in Brooklyn to the old Tweed Courthouse building, across the street from the Muni Archives. Perhaps you can get his records from them> 52 CHAMBERS ST, RM 219 NEW YORK, NY 10007-1222 (212) 233-8758 Another tracking idea is to try O' B R I A N or O' B R YN E, in historical newspapers. Barb -----Original Message----- From: Deb Woolley [email protected] I have an ancestor (William O'Brien) who graduated from Grammar School No. 19 in 1855, went to City College (then the Free Academy) and graduated in 1860. He taught for 25 years before dying in 1885. According to his obit, he became an assistant teacher at No. 19, "the same school where he was a scholar", resigned to become vice principal of Grammar School No. 23 in the Sixth Ward. In 1880, he was named principal of No. 24 in the same ward. And in 1883, he was transferred back to Grammar School No. 19 as principal. He died in 1885 as principal of that school. He is one of my "mystery" ancestors, so I am trying to follow any clues I can, including where he lived (since William O'Brien is about as common as John Smith!). Does anyone know how I can identify where these schools were located? Does the Public School system or city College have a good archives of their employees or students. I know he lived at 312 East 86th St. when he died (and had for about four years according to city directories -- his wife Elizabeth died from that address April 9, 1885) and his mass was at Church of St. Joseph (East 57th) -- which I thought was primarily a German parish. I am trying to follow any clues I can ... and this is where I am now! Any ideas or thoughts will be appreciated. Deb Woolley