> My suggestion is to join the county historical/genealogical society for the > county of your interest. The local members know the difficulty incurred for > themselves as well as us out-of-towners; so they generally have done a lot > of work and developed pretty nice libraries. Ellen, thanks for the reminder/suggestion. I have joined societies in Michigan and Illinois and found them to be most helpful. Question: does Niagara have a historical/genealogical society. That has been my hardest place to gather any facts. Pat Wilson Scott Looking for: Wilson, Wilkinson, and many more

I was doing research on a grandfather, who fought in 1812, a while back. The records are hard to find; and you have to keep hunting, rest a while, and hunt some more. In the process, I stumbled upon these two (2) sites, which are very interesting especially for those digging in Western New York. <www.iaw.on.ca/~jsek/1812help.htm> <http://freenet.buffalo.edu/~roots/> These have so much in them that I know there will be several all nighters! Have a ball - Ellen Colangelo

Posted on: Niagara Co. NY Queries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Niagara/312 Surname: Pearson, Ryan ------------------------- Looking for any info on the decendents of James Ambrose Pearson who came to Niagara Falls about 1850. His daughter Matilda married Martin Ryan. Some sons remained in the Niagara Falls area.

who were born in Italy (Calabria and the Abruzzi regions) end of last century - and immigrated to US (and resided in Niagara Falls, NY for the greatest portion of their lives). I understand from my two surviving aunts that my grandfather started the process of becoming a US Citizen - (prior to the Depression) , but never completed it - with onset of WWII/family illnesses, etc. They say they viewed him filling out papers around the beginning of each year (regarding his alien status). If anyone knows what records may be available for someone who (1) started the citizenship process and (2) who had to register each year to maintain their legal alien status - and could tell me how I would go about requesting copies of any/all available records, I'd be most grateful! Thank you, in advance, for your kind assistance! Anita Costanzo

Just to clear up a zip code possible confusion. The City of Lockport has two (2) zip codes: 14094 is for street addresses 14095 is for post office box addresses Ellen Colangelo

Since I made my comment regarding researching in Michigan, I've received messages agreeing with me. My suggestion is to join the county historical/genealogical society for the county of your interest. The local members know the difficulty incurred for themselves as well as us out-of-towners; so they generally have done a lot of work and developed pretty nice libraries. Usually, when one joins a society, one is granted the privilege of "free" queries. The newsletters are pretty good, too. Just a Suggestion, Ellen Colangelo

Dear Amy and Group, ----- Original Message ----- From: pdemeo <pdemeo@cfl.rr.com> To: <NYNIAGAR-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2000 4:37 AM Subject: RE: Niagara County Clerk's Records > If I'm not mistaken, there is a possibility that there could be some records > also in the Erie County Court House.....I recall seeing entries for Niagara > Falls at times, particularly in the really early dates. > > Amy Murphy-DeMeo > Ormond Beach, FL I know what you mean. According to Gertrude Starkey Clapsattle, who indexed the probate records of Niagara County (through 1880) in 1979 (Gert's a dear old local DAR girl!), "The researcher should be reminded that, although Niagara was the parent county to Erie, the county seat was in Buffalo. An old record book of early Niagara and Erie County probate and other surrogate records, dating from 1809, may be found in the Erie County Surrogate Library." Note: I don't have their address at hand. I hope this helps some of you in your Niagara County research.. vee

Dear Evelyn and Group, Regarding the ZIP code for all of the City and Town of Lockport, it's 14094. Regarding the address of Town of Porter Town Hall, it's 3265 Creek Road Youngstown, NY 14174 (716) 745-3730 Note: all of Niagara County is in the 716 Area code. Good luck, vee

Posted on: Niagara Co. NY Queries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Niagara/311 Surname: ------------------------- Dear Janet, Regarding any existing prison records for Williamsville, NY, during the War of 1812,the only place I can think of would be the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society (I don't have their address handy). However, from my knowledge of the War of 1812 in this area, if he died in Williamsville, it was in the hospital there. It wasn't a prison. If he was taken prisoner (he would have been on the British side), his wounds or disease was probably being tended to in the hospital when he died. I have a copy of the list of the American soldiers who died in the hospital in Williamsville during that time and who were buried in the War of 1812 Cemetery near where the hospital stood. The small cemetery's location remained the same, but it's now a part of Cheektowaga, Erie County. Granted, I don't know if there's a list of the British soldiers who died there but I can tell you that for the past NUMBER of years, the Village of Cheektowaga goes all out in June with a grand memorial service at that little cemetery and if your ancestor is buried there, you can be certain that representatives from both the United States and Canada pay him the most reverant respect. How do I know this? Because I was one of the speakers at the cemetery service for a number of years. My message didn't have to do specifically with the soldiers from New York who had died and were buried there--there are only 12 of them from NY--it had to do with one particular soldier from Pennsylvania who had served in the War with my great-great-great-grandfather and was a neighbor of his. Dear George Myers is buried there in a mass grave and every year my speech had to do with the families of those soldiers from Canada/England and those soldiers from 11 different states--at a time when our country consisted of only 17 states. Those families never had the opportunity to mourn over their loved ones graves. And that was the point I wanted to put across. Over 175 years after their deaths, it was time to shed a tear for the sake of the families they left behind. Forgive me for my soapbox message, but your query touched my heart strings when you mentioned Williamsville and the War of 1812. Good luck in your research. Vee L. Housman Youngstown, Niagara County, NY

Guess what was in the "Lockport Union Sun & Journal", today? An advertisement for making your final arrangements in Roman Catholic cemeteries of Western New York. The address is : Catholic Cemeteries Diocese of Buffalo 4000 Elmwood Avenue Kenmore, NY 14217 (716) 873-5680 <www.cathcemsbflo.com> Let's pray that this is the door to the information so many are seeking! Ellen Colangelo

I am looking for anyone who has any information on the Brayley family who settled in Hartland.

Hello again listers, As requested here are the addresses and phone numbers sent to me. The area codes were not included, so if I wasn't sure of it, you'll see ( ? ) Okay! Hope this will help. Evelyn Niagara County Clerk's Office Niagara County Courthouse 175 Hawley St. P.O. Box 461 Lockport, NY 14095 (716) 439-7022 Said they have: Naturalization records from 1836-1960 Land Records from 1843 to present Marriage records from 1908-1933 City of Lockport One Locks Plaza Lockport, NY 14094 (716)439-6676 City of Niagara Falls City Hall 745 Main Street Niagara Falls, NY 14302 ( ? ) 286-4393 City of North Tonawanda City Hall 216 Payne Ave. North Tonawanda, NY 14120 ( ? ) 695-8555 Town of Cambria Town Hall 4160 Upper Mountain Road Sanborn, NY 14132 ( ? ) 433-7664 Town of Hartland Town Hall 8942 Ridge Road Gasport, NY 14067 (716) 735-7179 Town of Lewiston Town Hall 1375 Ridge Road Lewiston, NY 14092 (716) 754-8214 Town of Lockport Town Hall 6560 Dysinger Road P.O. Box 848 Lockport, NY 14094 (716) 439-9525 Town of Newfane Town Hall 2896 Transit Road Newfane, NY 14108 (716) 778-8822 Town of Niagara Town Hall 7105 Lockport Road Niagara Falls, NY 14305 ( ? ) 297-2150 Town of Pendleton Town Hall 6570 Campbell Blvd. Lockport, NY 14094 (716) 625-8833 Town of Porter Town Hall 120 Lockport St. Youngstown, NY 14194 ( ? ) 745-3730 Town of Royalton Town Hall 5316 Royalton Center Road Middleport, NY 14105 (716) 772-2431 Town of Somerset Town Hall 8700 Haight Road Barker, NY 14105 (716) 795-3575 Town of Wheatfield Town Hall 2800 Church Road North Tonawanda, NY 14120 ( ? ) 694-6440 Town of Wilson Town Hall 375 Lake St. Wilson, NY 14172 ( ? ) 751-6704 ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagh.

I understand some of your compliants regarding getting information in NYS; but you haven't seen anything until you try to dig into Michigan. Thank heavens that the societies have done the work because you practically have to sign your grandchildren away otherwise. This past weekend, I was up in the North Country (that's what they call it) of NY. Even though his children are dead, because my grandfather died in 1964 I had to prove my lineage. He hadn't been dead 50 years. This time I was prepared with his SS # application, my Dad's SS # application, Mom and Dad's marriage certificate, my birth certificate, and my driver's license. Again, the assistant clerk didn't want to give them to me BUT her boss, the Clerk, did. It helped that she and I have the same first names! Following the exchange of $11. I was able to walk out with a copy of Gramp's death certificate. For those of you, who have been seeking info regarding Newfane, Middleport, and Royalton: The church records (BMD) for the Lutheran churches - Trinity and St. Michael's of Royalton - are at the Niagara County Historian's Office, Niagara & Hawley, Lockport, NY 14094, (716) 439-7324. The Town Clerk of Newfane is located at 2896 Transit Road, Newfane, NY 14108 (716) 778-8822. The Village Clerk of Middleport is located at the Village Hall, Middleport, NY 14105 (716) 735-3303. One half of the records for Royalton are at Royalton and the other half is at Hartland (please don't ask me why, I don't know). The Town Clerk of Royalton is at 5316 Royalton Center Road, Middleport, NY 14105 (716) 772-2431. The Town Clerk of Hartland is at 8942 Ridge Road, Gasport, NY 14067 (716) 735-7179. Have fun...remember these are business locations and phone numbers. Also if you check the archived messages, you will find one that I sent 20 August 2000 subjected NY STATE LEGAL CERTIFICATES. This will tell you the fees and requirements. Ellen Colangelo

Posted on: Niagara Co. NY Queries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Niagara/309 Surname: CRANE ------------------------- Need Death Certificate Charles Ward CRANE who died Williamsville Ny - a prisoner War 1812. Died Mar 12 1814. B Apr 24 1774, son of Theophilus Crane and Matteni Ward. Where were prison records kept?

If I'm not mistaken, there is a possibility that there could be some records also in the Erie County Court House.....I recall seeing entries for Niagara Falls at times, particularly in the really early dates. Amy Murphy-DeMeo Ormond Beach, FL -----Original Message----- From: CAhobbies@aol.com [mailto:CAhobbies@aol.com] Sent: Monday, October 09, 2000 12:15 AM To: NYNIAGAR-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: Niagara County Clerk's Records Meant to send this to the list... and replied to the sender only! So... sending it on to you all... Hello to all, Just read the message here from "Evelyn, learning with patience in Colorado" about her experiences with the Niagara County Clerk's records vs what the towns have for b/m/d VRs. Just wanted to add that I talked with the town clerk's office in Wilson, Niagara Co, NY recently. (Called them from California). Turns out there was a fire there that destroyed many of the old records. Thus, we are in the 1890s on for bmd's for that town. [It happens that I have a "lot" of family in the town of Wilson to research] They also told me that while the towns are the best way to go for bmd (except when there have been fires!) - I should contact Lockport (County records) for land records, probate, naturalizations, etc. So, to deal with my 1815 - 1890s bmd's.... looks like church records are going to be the way to go. (More on that some other time..) Glad we can share here who has what... so we all don't recontact the same places to get the same information! debbie CAhobbies@aol.com

Dear Group, The following is the content of the message I received this evening from an "old" high school classmate and "old" high school sorority sister of mine. In my mind she will always be Bobbie Pinkowski of the Theta Xi Upsilon sority. Following her message I'll just add a few more words about the Magna Charta parade of 1949 that involved both of us and the rest of our sorority sisters. Dear Vee I can't tell you how very much I enjoyed your article(s) about the Magna Charta parade. I have used the lenghth and quality of that parade as a benchmark for every parade I have viewed in the succeeding years, but they have all fallen short of the level of that parade. I had begun to wonder whether my memory played tricks and it was not as superb as I recalled...thank you for proving that my recollections are not erroneous. Sorry to read about your recent surgery....hope all is on the mend. I have been intending to write to you about the 50th reunion of the class of 49. I was unable to attend, but would love to hear about it; and any comments you care to make about those who attended. Your old friend and "sister" Bobbie Pinkowski Silberberg Ponn Jackson, Michigan (Vee again): First off, I didn't know that Bobbie was a member of our list. WOW, Bobbie, is it really YOU?? :-) Bobbie, I'll tell you all about our 50th class reunion personally, but this is what I wanted to let you and the rest of the group in on. It had to do with the 1949 Magna Charta parade. The following is part of the article that I had to cut out of the historical society newsletter due to space limitations. "Attracting particular attention were a float sponsored by Trapasso Service stations, on which rode Yvonne C. Fix, this city, "Miss New York State, 1948," a float bearing Miss Joan Kelly, this city, "Queen of the Magna Charta celebration"; a float with Miss Marjorie Marshall, St. Catherines, Ont., selected at the beginning of the Magna Chata observance as "Miss Naval Air Reserve," and a United States Navy fighter aircraft. . . . "Miss Kelly was accompanied by her court, composed of Mary C. Giles, Dorothea J. Case, Joan Hilton, Patricia McGrath and Ann Martin [Mortin] and 24 members of Theta Xi Upsilon sorority." Bobbie, when I read that in the Gazette, I couldn't believe me eyes. I couldn't beleive that *I* actually rode a float in a Magna Charta parade!! All I could dig out from my memory was a feeling that all of us sorority sisters wore evening gowns on the occasion. I called Mary Catherine (Giles) Accardo the other night and she has only vague recollections of it also. In fact she, in turn, called Joan Hilton and Joanie has only vague recollections of it. The only conclusion I can come to is that the parade was held in June of 1949, the same month as our Senior Prom and our graduation excercises. In addition, at the same time I was madly in love with what's-his-name--you know, the first guy that I married (in 1950) ! :-) Who knows but what the parade was just one more exciting event of our senior year in high school. Hey, those were the days, my friends, but I guess you would have had to be there to really appreciate the whole nine yards.. (Bobbie, I'll tell you all about the greatest 50th high school class reunion that was ever held!) vee

Dear Listers, Last night I posted the response I received from the Niagara County County Clerk's Office when I requested birth, death and marriage records 1880/1881 and after. Perhaps due to my tiredness or personal disappointment in not getting better news, I failed to mention several things. 1. Bonnie Spoon, clerk there, has been very helpful in the past when she had the items I was looking for; my parents marriage license and some naturalization papers. She has pleasantly tried to steer me in a possible direction. 2. She included a list of Niagara County and City Clerk's addresses and phone numbers (which I shall be glad to share to anyone needing them). 3. I have been in contact with Newfane and Middleport's historians and not their clerk's offices. Now armed with the addresses I will be pursuing in that direction. I would guess all of us searching Niagara County already know how scarce their resources are in comparison to other NYS counties. I am in hopes that this will be changing in the near future. Until then we can, as one who responded to my post said, share what we have. Thanks for listening, and I apologize for my ommissions. Evelyn, learning with patience in Colorado ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

Thanks Vee! I love a parade but never knew about these when I was growing up. Gee, can't believe my parents didn't take us over to view them. But then, they really never took me to the Lockport Memorial Day parades in Lockport either. I could just skip down two blocks to East Avenue, where they were marching, from our house on Vine St and view them for myself. Great fun. I'll bet it was really neat to see the Canadians join in the Magna Charta parades. Barb Petty

Meant to send this to the list... and replied to the sender only! So... sending it on to you all... Hello to all, Just read the message here from "Evelyn, learning with patience in Colorado" about her experiences with the Niagara County Clerk's records vs what the towns have for b/m/d VRs. Just wanted to add that I talked with the town clerk's office in Wilson, Niagara Co, NY recently. (Called them from California). Turns out there was a fire there that destroyed many of the old records. Thus, we are in the 1890s on for bmd's for that town. [It happens that I have a "lot" of family in the town of Wilson to research] They also told me that while the towns are the best way to go for bmd (except when there have been fires!) - I should contact Lockport (County records) for land records, probate, naturalizations, etc. So, to deal with my 1815 - 1890s bmd's.... looks like church records are going to be the way to go. (More on that some other time..) Glad we can share here who has what... so we all don't recontact the same places to get the same information! debbie CAhobbies@aol.com

Niagara Falls Gazette, June 20, 1949 MAGNA CHARTA PARADE VIEWED BY 75,000 AS TWO-NATION CELEBRATION ENDS HERE Forming a fitting background for one of the most exciting public spectacles in Niagara Falls' history, an international throng estimated at 75,000 persons, Saturday night thrilled to a gigantic and colorful Magna Charta parade, the climax to a seven-day, two-nation Magna Charta observance. Concentrated at every vantage point in 25 blocks of Main, Third and Falls streets, the tremendous gathering maintained a continuous ovation throughout a two-hour period, in which 12 marching divisions, composed of more than 140 American and Canadian service, veteran, auxiliary and fraternal units passed in review. In the vast audience were more than 35,000 Canadians and tourists and visitors from all parts of the United States. CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE PREVAILS West Falls street echoed to the crash of drums and the blare of bugles and brass instruments as 50 bands and musical organizations led their respective units past the saluting base in that street from 8:15 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. and the entire proceedings assumed a carnival atmosphere after 9:30 p.m. when the bright and many colored uniforms of the marchers were displayed in all their brilliance under the many street, sign and store lights. One hour before the scheduled starting time of 7:30 p.m., many thousands of spectators had taken positions in chairs and on foot, throughout the entire line of march and as the parade passed City Hall, in Main street, spectators filled the entire lawn. Balloon and paper parasol salesmen did a thriving business throughout the entire proceedings. Forty American and Canadian cities and towns and more than three times that number of organizations were represented by the various marching groups and the parade combined the precision of a military procession with that of a giant celebration . . . . PLANES FLY OVERHEAD Overhead throughout the parade flew seven F47 Thunderbolts of the headquarters, 107th Fighter group, and Detachment A, 207th Air Service group, of the Niagara Falls unit of the Air National Guard. At the saluting base were Maj. Gen. Ronald C. Brock, New York National Guard; Air. Comm. W. W. Brown, chief of staff, RCAF, Ottawa, Ont.; Col. W. D. Brown, 57th Light Anti-Aircraft, RCA; Cmdr. Lawrence D. Ruch, commanding officer, Niagara Falls Naval Air station and Mayor William R. Lupton. Air Comm. Brown was awarded the Legion of Honor medal from France only a few hours before his appearance here . . . AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED As announced by the judges, the winners of the various awards were as follows: Louis' Restaurant trophy for best Canadian girls band-British Imperial Veterans Girls band, from Hamilton, Ont. Mack-Friedman trophy for the best majorettes-Jesse Clipper Post Drum Corp, Buffalo. Kaiser Ladies' Wear company trophy for the second best majorettes-British Imperial Veterans Girls band, Hamilton, Ont. . . . . [Again, the list goes on. Trophies were given by the Main Restaurant for the best senior drum corps (from Toronto), Cummings Cigar Store for the best junior drum corps (from Toronto), Maloney Travel Bureau for the best American marching unit (from Medina), Loyal Order of Moose for the best Canadian marching unit (from Hamilton, Ont.), Imperial Hotel for the largest Canadian unit (from Hamilton), Morre's Mens' Clothes for the best brass band (from Sanborn), Hotel Clifton for the best float (Trappaso Nash automobile agency, Niagara Falls, NY), BPOE Elks for the second best float (Saddle and Bridle club, Niagara Falls, NY), "Grand trophy (to be won three years in succession) for the most outstanding Scottish unit from Canada-Niagara Falls, Ont., Kiltie band."] [End of articles] COMMENTS FROM THE EDITOR And that, dear folks, was pretty much what all the Magna Charta parades were like back in the 1930s and 40s. Spectacular get-togethers of the people of Canada and the United States in grand celebration of the ancient Magna Charta of England. Vee L. Housman Editor of "Porter's Past"--newsletter of the Town of Porter Historical Society