P.S.  Although Madison County is a bit west of the Hudson, I thought perhaps
some intrastate migration might fit the Gypsy mode, and that there may be
some information there in Madison County...

Douglas Scott Treado, MA
Project & Sales Manager
___________________________________
Challenge Industries Microfilm
402 East State Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
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-----Original Message-----
From: A LISTSERV list for discussions pertaining to New York State
history. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Ruth Piwonka
Sent: Friday, September 13, 2002 5:46 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: looking for information about Romani people in Hudson Valley


I've had an enquiry regarding the presence of nineteenth or
early twentieth century gypsies in Columbia County / Hudson
Valley.  I have never encountered any formal or informal study
or comment on this subject and have never come upon mention of
gypsies in reading old newspapers.  Locally there is Gypsy Rock
Road in the Town of Stuyvesant, but memory of the reason for
that name seems to be lost.

On the web, I have found several good web sites devoted to
Gypsy / Romani history and culture, but none seem to be very
specific as to locale, save New York city.  Gypsy immigration
began around 1850, but in 1880 it was outlawed in the United
States for an extended period of time.  I did find a Gypsy
Point Road in Catskill and Gypsy Trail Road (off Rte. 301)
Carmel.  The names may be romantic or they may reflect some
past local history.

Any advice would be welcome.

Ruth Piwonka
Kinderhook, New York