I have recently found records for my DIETRICH ancestors, and numerous records are said to be taken from "Ref. Chbk." of Germantown. Would this be the Dutch Reformed Church? This information came from Henry Jones work. Was Germantown known by any other name? What is it called today? Thanks! Anne

Posted on: Columbia County NY. Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Columbia/1630 Surname: Arcuri, Cozza ------------------------- Looking for descendants of Gabriele Arcuri and Vincenza Cozza. The family was living in Hudson, Columbia County in the early part of the 1900's.

The abstract is useful because it is indexed but I would definitely urge that you check the actual will. I'm not sure if more than one set of abstracts of Columbia Co. wills, the one that I've used is a carbon copy of a typewritten document. The copy is in the Central Library in Rochester NY. In one case a woman who was listed as a granddaughter was revealed to be a daughter when I examined the actual will. In another abstract an ancestor was listed as a grandchild but was actually an executor of the will and trustee for the grandchildren. The wills (actually the transcriptions in the Columbia Co. will books) are available on microfilm through any LDS FHC. -----Original Message----- From: Jennifer Nordyke [mailto:JNorky@kscable.com] Sent: Monday, January 22, 2001 12:41 AM To: NYCOLUMB-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [NYCOL] Columbia County, New York, Abstract of Wills Someone gave me a copy of a page that was out of this book, "Columbia County, N.Y. Abstract of Wills, Vol. 5-8". This page has, I suppose, an abstract of a will of Andrew Spickerman. Is it possible for me to get ahold of the actual will and find out what's in it? I don't know anything about wills. Thanks, Jennifer Nordyke ______________________________

Does anyone have the address or at least the road for the cemetery in Hillsdale where Thomas Whitney, victim of the 1766 rent war, is said to have a prominent marker? I'll be in the area next week and would like to pay a visit. Cheers, Ron Kyser

Posted on: Columbia County NY. Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Columbia/1629 Surname: Andrews ------------------------- Wyoming Co was formed May 14 1841 from Genesee Co.says French's Historical Gazetteer of NY c 1860. Elijah W Andrews is listed on page 711 in Wyoming Co.

The cemetary is on County Route 5, about 2-3 miles south of "Canaan Four Corners" where County Route 5 intersects with state route 295. What names are you researching? Wendy McLean In a message dated 1/21/2001 2:05:44 PM Eastern Standard Time, mwright@whidbey.net writes: << I have recently found ancestors buried in Canaan Center Cemetery. They lived for many years in Kinderhook. Where is this cemetery located? >>

Someone gave me a copy of a page that was out of this book, "Columbia County, N.Y. Abstract of Wills, Vol. 5-8". This page has, I suppose, an abstract of a will of Andrew Spickerman. Is it possible for me to get ahold of the actual will and find out what's in it? I don't know anything about wills. Thanks, Jennifer Nordyke

Posted on: Columbia County NY. Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Columbia/1628 Surname: ANSON, ASHLEY, FINGAR, REYNOLDS, HOLTON ------------------------- Trying to make contact with anyone researching the FINGAR family of NY. Especially interested in descendants of Mrs. Ruth (Warren) Fingar of Michigan. We are researching the same line. Nancy Page

Reading Dorothy's letter about Abraham Schutt and Jannetje Winne brings up other questions for me. The first is who was his mother Jannetje Sesums? In Kingston #1210 Salomon and Jannetje Tsisum are baptizing Willem in 1710, so I would guess that she may have been born around 1690. But all I've been able to find for that era are #174 Robert Thysem and Margriet Weldyn baptize Thomas in 1678. #285 Robbert Chisen and Margriet Wildy baptize Elsje in 1682. #511 Robert Sysy and Margriet Wilding baptize Jan in 1687. There are are Tysens, but I suspect that they were an entirely different family. The other question is who was Margaret or Madgieri Wilding? Patrick Schut's line seems clear. In 1710 Jannicke and Salomon Schut baptized Henricus in St. Pauls Lutheran with Henric and Anna Zisom as sponsors. #44 And in 1711 at St. Pauls Henric Chisem and Anna baptized Robert with Wilhelm Schott and wife Helena as sponsors. #45 So might Anna have been a Schut? Salomon had twin brothers, Menasses and Ephraim. He names a son with Jannetje Manasse. This is not a name I'm familiar with. Is there an English translation? There is also the fact that Madgeri Wilding, had to be widowed by about 1690 to have married Patrick Schot and be having his children being baptized in Kingston by 1691. Unverified is that Weinsam, a son of Christoffel Brussy, married an Elsje Scism around 1720. Two sons of his presumably married daughters of a Johannes Chisem or Sissem. Where does Johannes fit in? It isn't likely, either, that this Elsje was the daughter of Robert and Margriet Wilding Chisem. So does anyone have other siblings for Robert? Or might she be a granddaughter? And lastly, in family search and ancestry records there is a Joost Carelzen VAN SYSSEN who married a Christina Jans in 1656 in the Netherlands. It lists his origin as Sys Ambacht. Most of his children took the name Joosten, so I doubt this is Robert Chisem or Sysy's line. But what is Sys Ambacht--a farm, a hamlet, a body of water? Could it be the origin for other immigrants or is it limited to a one family place? Thanks, Phyllis

Hi, I'm new to this list and unfamiliar with Columbia Co. I have a few questions sks might be able to answer. 1. I have recently found ancestors buried in Canaan Center Cemetery. They lived for many years in Kinderhook. Where is this cemetery located? 2. Since NY State did not start keeping death records until about 1880/81, are there death records or ledgers kept locally prior to this time, specifically 1853, 1879? Thank you for any help. Marilynn Whidbey Island WA

I located the tombstone inscription of Grovenor Williams, born 1841, died 1925. Grovenor was married to Elizabeth Jane FINGER, 24 Dec. 1861 in Amcram, Columbia Co., NY. There was no entry for Elizabeth Jane. The family relationships weren't clear, but it appears a son Justis was born and he married a woman named Maggie. Perhaps a son Jeremiah, as well, married to Charity. Maggie (w) Justis, 6 May 1880, 34 years, 8 months, 5 days old. _______broken stone, of J. & M. Williams, 12 May 1879. _______ ditto no date 5 years, 1 month, 13 days. Infant d. of Grovernor and Eliz. J., 21 Sep 1870. 1 day old. Charity F. Williams, 5 Dec. 1855. 5 years, 3 months. Walter Williams, 3 Jan. no year. 7 months, 3 days. Children of Jeremiah and Charity Williams. I would very much like to have more information on this Columbia County, NY family of Grovernor and Elizabeth Jane Finger WILLIAMS family. Shirley Maynard

Searching for parents of Polly (Mary) Stickles, who married Abt 1837, Oliver M. Jones of Hillsdale. Oliver was b Abt. 1806, son of John Jones (1764-1855) and Nancy Mallory (1775-1832) of Hillsdale. Polly was evidently his second wife. One source gives a first wife for Oliver, with exact dates but no name, b 1 Oct 1807 and d 30 Oct 1836, and second wife Polly, b Abt. 1813 in Hillsdale. Children of Oliver and Polly include Anna Maria (b 9 Mar 1838), John C, and Moses. Would like to hear from anyone with knowledge of this family, or advice as to where to search for more information.

Anyone working this family: Descendants of Andrew Miller Generation No. 1 1. Andrew1 Miller was born Abt. 1770, and died Aft. 1842. He married Regina Baumhauer December 10, 1791 in Claverack, Columbia Co., New York, daughter of Andreas Boomhower and Catharina Weis. She was born 1774, and died January 10, 1839 in Windham, Greene Co., New York. Notes for Andrew Miller: Andrew Miller is in the 1810 Durham Twp., census with 12 people in his household. More About Regina Baumhauer: Burial: North Settlement Cemetery, Ashland, Greene Co., New York Children of Andrew Miller and Regina Baumhauer are: 2 i. Catherine2 Miller, born September 05, 1792 in Claverack, Columbia Co., New York. She married ??? Hubbard. + 3 ii. William Miller, born September 05, 1792 in Claverack, Columbia Co., New York; died December 28, 1880 in McMinnville, Yamhill Co., Oregon. + 4 iii. Elizabeth Miller, born July 03, 1794 in Claverack, Columbia Co., New York; died June 17, 1879 in Windham, Greene Co., New York. + 5 iv. Andrew Miller, born April 11, 1796 in Claverack, Columbia Co., New York. 6 v. Margaret Miller, born January 26, 1798 in Claverack, Columbia Co., New York. 7 vi. John Miller, born August 08, 1802 in Claverack, Columbia Co., New York. 8 vii. Michael Miller, born September 21, 1804 in Claverack, Columbia Co., New York. He married Sally ???. 9 viii. Peter Miller, born Abt. 1808 in Windham, Greene Co., New York. He married Elizabeth ???; died August 25, 1844. More About Elizabeth ???: Burial: North Settlement Cemetery, Ashland, Greene Co., New York 10 ix. Lucinda Miller, born 1811 in Windham, Greene Co., New York; died March 19, 1832 in Windham, Greene Co., New York. More About Lucinda Miller: Burial: North Settlement Cemetery, Ashland, Greene Co., New York 11 x. Robert Miller, born April 08, 1812 in Windham, Greene Co., New York; died August 23, 1842 in Windham, Greene Co., New York. He married Harriet ??? Abt. 1838 in Windham, Greene Co., New York; born March 07, 1817 in Windham, Greene Co., New York; died August 07, 1841 in Windham, Greene Co., New York. Notes for Robert Miller: ROBERT MILLER of Windham Will Probated October 17, 1842 Heirs: Robert B., son of Andrew Miller, Jr.; Sally, wife of Michael Miller; Betsey, wife of Peter Miller; my father, Andrew Miller; Andrew Miller, Jr.; Michael Miller; Peter Miller; Catharine Hubbard; Betsey Bronson, Ira Miller; Aaron W. Burhans; William Miller, Jr., Abner Hubbard. Executors: Peter Miller and Sylvester Hitchcock. Witnesses: Washington Bishop and Sylvester Hitchcock. More About Robert Miller: Burial: North Settlement Cemetery, Ashland, Greene Co., New York More About Harriet ???: Burial: North Settlement Cemetery, Ashland, Greene Co., New York Generation No. 2 3. William2 Miller (Andrew1) was born September 05, 1792 in Claverack, Columbia Co., New York, and died December 28, 1880 in McMinnville, Yamhill Co., Oregon. He married Roxanna Blakeslee Abt. 1822 in Prob. Windham, Greene Co., New York, daughter of Enoch Blakeslee and Sarah Denton. She was born December 07, 1802 in Windham, Greene Co., New York, and died March 18, 1885 in McMinnville, Yamhill Co., Oregon. Notes for William Miller: 1860 census page 250 for the town of Caledonia, Racine Co., Wisconsin. William Miller 68 M Farmer New York The Windham Journal, a weekly newspaper published at Windham, Greene County, New York, issue of Thursday, April 29, 1880: MILLER - At Valley Willamette, Oregon, Feb. 29th, Mr. Wm. Miller, formerly of Windham, aged 93 years. [Mr. Miller went from here in '48 to Wisconsin, then to Ohio, about '52, back to Wisconsin the next year, and in 1863 removed to Oregon. He was six months on his way being robbed by the Indians of his team, &c.] More About William Miller: Baptism: October 14, 1792, St. Thomas Lutheran Ch, Columbia Co., New York Burial: Carlton Cemetery, McMinnville, Yamhill Co., Oregon Notes for Roxanna Blakeslee: 1860 census page 250 for the town of Caledonia, Racine Co., Wisconsin. Name Age Sex Occupation Birthplace Roxana Miller 56 F New York Her death notice appeared in the April 23, 1885 issue of The Windham Journal, a weekly newspaper published at Windham, NY. DIED MILLER - In the valley of the Willamette, Oregon, March 18th, 1885, Roxana Blakeslee, widow of William Miller, in her 85th year. (Mrs. Miller was a native of Old Windham, a sister of Mrs. Lorinda Hitchcock, and removed to the West, some 35 years ago. William Miller's death occurred about 1880.) More About Roxanna Blakeslee: Burial: Carlton Cemetery, McMinnville, Yamhill Co., Oregon Children of William Miller and Roxanna Blakeslee are: 12 i. Sylvester Blakeslee3 Miller, died Bef. 1880 in Minnesota. 13 ii. William Miller, born Abt. 1822. 14 iii. Ira Nelson Miller, born February 13, 1823 in Darlington, Lafayette Co., Wisconsin; died December 09, 1891. He married Catherine Ellen Lawrence January 23, 1852 in Shullsburg, Lafayette Co., Wisconsin; born January 15, 1839 in Shullsburg, Lafayette Co., Wisconsin; died June 16, 1911 in Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co., California. + 15 iv. Alexander James Miller, born April 24, 1829 in Greene Co., New York; died March 29, 1915 in Pike, Yamhill Co., Oregon. + 16 v. George Denton Miller, born Abt. 1831 in Greene Co., New York; died in Prob. Baker Co., Oregon. 17 vi. Apollus Miller, born April 12, 1831 in Prob. Greene Co., New York; died June 13, 1889. He married Elizabeth Thompson; born September 01, 1861 in Macomb, Macomb Co., Michigan. + 18 vii. Sarah Denton Miller, born October 29, 1838 in Greene Co., New York; died May 01, 1918 in McMinnville, Yamhill Co., Oregon. 4. Elizabeth2 Miller (Andrew1) was born July 03, 1794 in Claverack, Columbia Co., New York, and died June 17, 1879 in Windham, Greene Co., New York. She married Jesse Bronson 1827 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. He was born Bet. 1795 - 1802 in Middlebury, New Haven Co., Connecticut, and died October 26, 1886 in Windham, Greene Co., New York. More About Elizabeth Miller: Burial: North Settlement Cemetery, Ashland, Greene Co., New York More About Jesse Bronson: Burial: North Settlement Cemetery, Ashland, Greene Co., New York Children of Elizabeth Miller and Jesse Bronson are: 19 i. Arminius M.3 Bronson, born 1828 in Windham, Greene Co., New York; died February 09, 1834 in Windham, Greene Co., New York. More About Arminius M. Bronson: Burial: North Settlement Cemetery, Ashland, Greene Co., New York 20 ii. Mary A. Bronson, born June 1833 in Windham, Greene Co., New York; died September 09, 1838 in Windham, Greene Co., New York. More About Mary A. Bronson: Burial: North Settlement Cemetery, Ashland, Greene Co., New York 5. Andrew2 Miller (Andrew1) was born April 11, 1796 in Claverack, Columbia Co., New York. He married ???. Child of Andrew Miller and ??? is: 21 i. Robert B.3 Miller.

For any of you interested in the "Rent Wars" that took place in Columbia and neighboring counties, and are within traveling distance: The Greenbush Historical Society [Rensselaer County] is presenting a program featuring Bill Massoth who will talk about "Down with the Rent" - about "a small war that lasted 50 years and changed the way the West was settled!" The program is Sunday, January 21, at 2 pm, at the Blooming Grove Reformed Church, 706 Bloominggrove Dr, Rensselaer, NY. (The telephone number for the church is 518-286-2910.) According to the newspaper announcement, "Famous names like Rensselaer, Livingston, Duane, King, Clark and Cooper will come up." I do not know anything more about this event or Mr. Massoth, the presenter - only what I read in the paper. (The historian for East Greenbush, according to the Rensselaer Historical Society's website is Ms. Beverly Kennedy, East Greenbush Town Hall, 225 Columbia Turnpike Rensselaer, New York 12144, 518- 477-4614. Perhaps she would have more information or would know who to contact about this program.) Ginny Formel listowner, NYCOLUMB-L@rootsweb.com

I received quite a few messages about the Orphan Trains. Some of the information would be of interest to members of the mailing list. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For more information about the Orphan Trains you can contact: Orphan Train Heritage Society of America 614 East Emma Avenue Suite 115 Springdale, Arkansas 72764-4634 I was unable to access their web site. There is a link on Cyndi's List under Railroads. The Heritage Society also has The Orphan Train Riders Research Center and Museum. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ INDEX OF CHILDREN WHO RODE THE ORPHAN TRAINS TO KANSAS http://kuhttp.cc.ukans.edu/carrie/kancoll/articles/orphans/or_child.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I found this one with more information. http://www.snowcrest.net/raywaldron/trains.html Cliff

This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------47D441ED615AF1EECFB1E82F Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit to Donald Lampson (et al.): Thanks for the list of Hoysradt's regiment. It should in addition include the officers listings on p. 269-70 of Fernow's NY in the Revolution, a few of which were not in the general listing. One of them is: 2nd Lt. Joh's Snyder, presumably present when the Co. was formed On May 28, 1778: Anth'y Snyder became 2d Liut. (in place of Johannes Snyder) Markis Coone (John Marcus or Marx) became Ensign (in place of Jurry P. Dunn, who I think is the same as George Peter Duntz) In another reorganization dated 24 Jul 1782: Henry Ervin promoted to Captain, Huysradt resigned. Anthony Snyder prom. 1st liut. Marcus Coon prom. 2nd liut. Jonas Myers, Ensign, prob. refers to Hoysradt's Co., and not to Rockefeller's Co. in the next line. That makes for four more names, Johannes & Anthony Snyder, John Marcus Kuhn, and Jonas Myers or Meyer. 18 in all, right? Not very many. I wonder whether these officers were promoted from within the ranks, or taken from outside. If within, then obviously the list of members of the company is incomplete. All these officers, as far as I can tell, were from the Gallatin/Ancram area. Jonas Myers may have been the one outsider. He was from an Ulster Co. family, and I believe the son-in-law of Johannes Snyder, Capt. of an Ulster Co. militia unit, and distinct from the Lt. Johannes Snyder in Gallatin/Ancram. As you might expect there were other officers in other companies in the 10th closely related to these people (e.g. Philip Knickerbocker). On the chart I gave each officer his highest rank, so both Hoysradt & Irvine were captains, though of course in consecutive terms, etc. Interesting that the officers of Hoysradt's Co. were solidly Palatine in extraction, except possibly for Irvine, if his ethnicity were known. Elliot's Co. by contrast was also from Ancram (if I understand correctly) but the officers were all Anglo/Dutch names such as Viele, Van Beuren, MacArthur. Dave > Here is a list of the names of men serving under Capt. Houserad > when they were drafted for active service, as listed in the "Roster of > State Troops" in Fernow's "New York in the Revolution": > Bartley, Simon, Pvt. > Diness, Philip, Pvt. > Dines, Yerry, Pvt. > Dings, Johannes, Pvt. > Dings, John, Pvt. > Dings, Stuffle, Pvt > Elkenbraugh, Jacob, Pvt. > Elkenbraugh, Philip, Pvt. > Irwin (Irvin), Henry, Lieutenant > Pulver, Jacob, Sergeant > Sebo, Harry, Pvt. > Smith, James, Pvt. > Thompson, George, Pvt. > Van De Waters (Waters), Michael, Pvt.(Pension file for Widow mentions numerous > tours, with only some Captains mentioned. No mention of Capt. > Houserad.) --------------47D441ED615AF1EECFB1E82F Content-Type: message/delivery-status; name="nsmail4" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline; filename="nsmail4" Reporting-MTA: dns; preferred.com Arrival-D

Posted on: Columbia County NY. Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Columbia/1626 Surname: Bortle, Barnhart, Steiner, Hollingsworth, Laska ------------------------- Am interested in locating Bortles including Columbia county. I am from Madison county originally, now from Schenetady.

Posted on: Columbia County NY. Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Columbia/1625 Surname: Bortle ------------------------- I live in Schenectady county, but am originally from Madison County....Wampsville to be exact. I do not know of any relative from Columbia county, but am always interested in finding out about other Bortles.

Wow! I didn't expect to get a lot of response today! I don't have the indexes for these census records, so I'd have to be looking at each page person by person since most of you were not specific in your search. I will go to the library, hopefully tomorrow and look up all these names in the indexes so I will know where to search on the CD's. I tried accessing www.ancestry.com to use their search engine for the indexes, but their search engine is down :-( The towns on the 1850 Census are: CD#M432-491 Ancram Claverack Copake Gallatin Hudson Livingston Stockport Taghkanic CD# M432-492 Austerlitz Canaan Chatham Clermont Germantown Ghent Greenport Hillsdale Kinderhook New Lebanon Stuyvesant The towns in the 1860 Census are: CD #M653-737 Ancram Austerlitz Canaan Clermont Copake Germantown Hillsdale CD #M653-738 Chatham City of Hudson Ghent Kinderhook Stuyvesant Stockport

I clipped a very interesting article from the Times-Union, the Albany, NY newspaper, dated 30 Apr 2000. It included a 1900 Kansas photo (Kansas State Historical Society) of an engine and three railroad cars. 90-100 children were standing on top of the cars, on the side of one car, and alongside the engine on a second set of tracks. The children were from New York City. Does anyone know if a list of the children exists? Did the children change their surnames when they became part of the new family? CHILDREN OF RAILS RELIVE JOURNEYS Nightmares, dreams come true for those aboard "Orphan Trains" by Robert Weller - Associated Press Lakewood, Colo. It is one of the least-remembered of America's migrations to the West: as many as 350,000 orphan children shipped out of New York on "Orphan Trains" from the 1850s to 1929. The trains stopped in rural areas so that prospective parents could look over the youngsters and decide whether to take in any of them. The process wasn't always successful, recalled Dorothy Sharpley, 81, one of six Orphan Train "riders" who attended a reunion Saturday in Colorado. Sharpley said she was rejected by her first adoptive family, in Columbus, Neb. "I was sent back to New York only to ride the train again and end up in St. Mary's Neb., only 20 miles from Columbus." The trains were the idea of Methodist minister Charles Loring Brace, founder of the Children's Aid Society of New York, intended as a means of moving children out of the alleys and squalor of a city overrun by immigrants and the Industrial Revolution out to the West and wholesome farm family life. For Sharpley, life before the Orphan Train meant having to beg for food in an orphanage with 600 children. The Orphan Train was a sweet second chance for many, a Dickensian nightmare for others. "We'd stop in these little towns and get out of the trains and they'd interview us," said Stanley Cornell, who joined Sharpley at Saturday's reunion. Cornell, then 6, rode the train twice with his brother, Victor, who was 5. Their mother died when their sister, Eloise, was born, and their father, a victim of a German gas attack in World War I, was unable to care for them. Another sister took Eloise, but didn't have room for Stanley and Victor. On their first trip they were taken in by a family in Kansas. "They were kind and we liked them, but after a couple of months they sent us back. I still don't know why. Maybe their other kids didn't like us," said Cornell, now 80. On their second trip, they met a Wellington, Texas, man with two daughters who had wanted a son. "He only wanted one boy, but he took us both," Cornell recalls. His only question "was whether we liked farms and animals," and when they passed that test, he gave them a bag of jelly beans.