From: Katherine Chansky <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wed, Oct 27, 2010 at 9:25 AM
News from the Schenectady County Historical Society
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct 27, 2010
The Grems-Doolittle Library Hosts Speakers for Genealogy Day
When: 10:00 am to 4: 00 pm on Saturday, November 6, 2010
Where: The Schenectady County Historical Society
32 Washington Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12305
Admission: Five dollar donation, requested
Contact: Katherine Chansky 374-0263; [log in to unmask]
“Who do you think you are?” This is a tough question
genealogist love to ponder and research. They will follow the paper
trail ancestors have left behind to learn about the lives of forgotten
relatives. On Saturday November 6th the Schenectady County Historical
Society will explore the many possible ways to uncover your family
history.
Genealogy Day will feature several speakers along with
open hours in the library. Frank Taormina, a retired teacher and
long-time Schenectady resident, will describe the history of the
ethnic communities of Schenectady as he shows us the City’s many
places of worship: churches, synagogues and mosques. Bob Sullivan,
librarian at the Schenectady County Public Library and webmaster of
Schenectady Digital History Archive, will explain how to mine the
wealth of the Internet to locate historic newspapers on the Internet.
During the lunch hour Kim Mabee, a community volunteer and tireless
family researcher, will share the story of her own research on the
Mabee Family of Rotterdam, NY.
The afternoon of Genealogy Day offers participants the
choice of sitting in on a beginning genealogy class or exploring the
resources of the Grems-Doolittle Library. Nancy Curran, a
genealogical consultant, will be on hand in the library to field
research questions. Curran is an experienced researcher well versed in
using the New York State Department of Health vital records indexes at
the New York State Archives. Katherine Chansky, librarian at the
Historical Society’s Grems-Doolittle Library, will talk about ways to
begin a genealogy project. She will share some tips on organizing
family records, suggest Internet sites to visit, and demonstrate
Family Tree Maker software.
Reservation are recommended. Participants will be asked
for a 5 dollar donation to benefit the Historical Society. Lunch is
bring your own bag lunch; cold beverages and homemade desserts will be
provided by Grems-Doolittle Library volunteers.
Genealogy Day Schedule Saturday Nov. 6th :
10:00 am – 10: 45 am Churches of Schenectady by Frank Taormina. This
PowerPoint presentation by Schenectady resident Frank Taormina, will
explore the ethnic character of the City of Schenectady’s places of
worship. Taormina was a social studies teacher for ten years, a school
administrator and for many years the principal of Niskayuna High
School. He has been president of the Schenectady County Historical
Society and is a frequent speaker at SCHS events.
11:00 am – 11:45 am Digital Newspapers Online by Robert Sullivan,
reference librarian at the Schenectady County Public Library and
Trustee of the Schenectady County Historical Society. Bob will give a
survey of assorted Internet sites where the public can find digital
historic newspaper collections. He will also discuss the wealth of
information available through Newsbank and Google/Gazette.
12:00 noon to 1:30 Lunch Break Guest Speaker, Kim Mabee,
Mabee/Mabie/Maybee/Maybee: Soup to Nuts. Kim Mabee has spent years
adding her own genealogy research to the extensive Mabee family
genealogical record. A member of the Maybee Society, she describes
herself as a “professional volunteer.” Kim has taken leadership roles
in a variety of area organizations including president of the
Sacandaga PTA, President of the Schenectady County Historical Society,
and Volunteer registrar for the Highland Soccer Club. She has
received awards for her community service and takes pride in being a
life-long student and self-taught scholar. From the summer into the
fall season Kim is the “butter lady” at the Historic Mabee Farm in
Rotterdam Junction, NY, teaching hundreds of school children on farm
tours how to make homemade sweet butter and giving lessons in
farm-based traditions of the Mohawk Valley.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Beginning Genealogy by Katherine Chansky,
Librarian/Archivist for the Grems-Doolittle Library. Katherine
Chansky has been working in local history and genealogy for over 10
years. She will share suggestions on organizing your family records,
setting up files in Family Tree Maker, and identify several Internet
website for the beginning genealogist.
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Library Open Hours with Nancy Johnsen Curran.
Curran is a genealogist and experienced researcher. She will be
available in the library to brainstorm answers to your genealogy
questions.
On any project, a thorough search of the Internet may lead
to intensive local research in nearby counties’ courthouses,
historical societies, libraries and churches.
An important resource is the New York State Library and Archives, one
of the leading repositories in the country. For 20th-century
research, New York State’s vital records are familiar territory.
Other holdings consulted may include colonial wills, tax records,
military records and prison records, as well as the unique documents
in the Manuscript Collection. Nancy Johnsen Curran brings many years
experience locating family history in these records in the Capital
region. She is a member of the board of trustees of Schenectady County
Historical Society and the New Netherland Institute, the membership
organization in support of the New Netherland Research Center. Curran
brings to genealogy research a discipline instilled by many years in
print and electronic journalism. Experience as a feature writer and
columnist is called into play, as she presents factual history in
readable, interesting form. Her website address is
www.nancycurran.com.
The Schenectady County Historical Society is located at 32 Washington
Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12305. The building is wheel chair accessible
with off-street parking.
For more information contact Katherine Chansky at (518) 374-0263 or
email [log in to unmask] Find directions to SCHS at www.schist.org.
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