History of Buffalo New York

Buffalo Village from the Light House, 1828

“History of the City of Buffalo and Erie County” by Henry Perry Smith offers a comprehensive account of the development and significant events in Buffalo and Erie County, New York. Published in 1884 by D. Mason & Co. in Syracuse, New York, this two-volume work delves into the early settlement, growth, and transformation of the area. Volume II focuses on the history of Buffalo, New York. For the detailed history of Erie County, readers should refer to Volume I.

Logan County, Kentucky Wills – Book A, with index

Will book A, Logan County, Kentucky

The wills in this book come from Book A of the Wills found at the Logan County Court house in Russellville, Kentucky. The information was extracted in 1957 by Mrs. Vick on behalf of the DAR located in Russellville. The text in this book was done with an old manual typewriter and has the usual faint and filled-in type often found with such papers. On top of the difficulty in interpreting the print from the typewriter, the scanning process was also deficient, and led to the creation of a faint digital copy exacerbating the difficult to read text.

Marriages of Orange County, Virginia, 1747-1810

Marriages of Orange County, Virginia, 1747-1810

Catherine Lindsay Knorr’s Marriages of Orange County, Virginia, 1747-1810 stands as a pivotal work for genealogists and historians delving into the rich tapestry of Virginia’s past. Published in 1959, this meticulously compiled volume sheds light on the matrimonial alliances formed within Orange County, Virginia, during a period that was crucial to the shaping of both local and national histories. The absence of a contemporary marriage register presented a formidable challenge, yet through exhaustive examination of marriage bonds, ministers’ returns, and ancillary records, Knorr has reconstructed a reliable record of these marriages.

Brown Genealogy

Brown Genealogy

In 1895, Cyrus Henry Brown began collecting family records of the Brown family, initially with the intention of only going back to his great-grandfathers. As others became interested in the project, they decided to trace the family lineage back to Thomas Brown and his wife Mary Newhall, both born in the early 1600s in Lynn, Massachusetts. Thomas, John, and Eleazer, three of their sons, later moved to Stonington, Connecticut around 1688. When North Stonington was established in 1807, the three brothers were living in the southern part of the town. Wheeler’s “History of Stonington” contains 400 records of early descendants of the Brown family, taken from the town records of Stonington. However, many others remain unidentified, as they are not recorded in the Stonington town records. For around a century, the descendants of the three brothers lived in Stonington before eventually migrating to other towns in Connecticut and New York State, which was then mostly undeveloped. He would eventually write this second volume of his Brown Genealogy adding to and correcting the previous edition. This book is free to search, read, and/or download.

History of Bentleysville, Pennsylvania

Bentleysville title page

This book is a collection of stories, letters, and historical records detailing the brief history of Bentleysville, a rural community in southwestern Pennsylvania. Established around a mill operated by Sheshbazzar Bentley Sr. and Jr. on Pigeon Creek in 1816, the town grew to a population of 300 by 1868. The author traces the origins of Bentleysville back to the 1770s to document the earliest settlers, while also providing context through significant national events like the Whiskey Rebellion and the Civil War. Although Bentleysville’s history as a village ended before 1900, this work preserves its legacy for future generations.

1st Mississippi Light Artillery

The 1st Mississippi Light Artillery, also known as Withers’ Light Artillery, comprised several companies raised across Mississippi, participating in key battles during the Civil War. Initially assembled in May 1862, the regiment played a crucial role in the defense of Vicksburg against Union forces, with notable contributions at Chickasaw Bayou and the Vicksburg campaign. Throughout its service, the artillery faced significant casualties and challenges, ultimately surrendering at Vicksburg in July 1863. Afterward, surviving members regrouped as infantry before continuing their service in various capacities.

A Genealogy of the Lake Family

Ancestor Register of Esther Steelman Adams

A genealogy of the Lake family of Great Egg Harbour in Old Gloucester County in New Jersey : descended from John Lade of Gravesend, Long Island; with notes on the Gravesend and Staten Island branches of the family. This volume of nearly 400 pages includes a coat-of-arms in colors, two charts, and nearly fifty full page illustrations – portraits, old homes, samplers, etc. The coat-of-arms shown in the frontspiece is an unusually good example of the heraldic art!

Genealogy of the Goff Family of Attleboro, Mass.

Maj. William Hunt Goff, born April 10, 1845, in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, is a prominent figure in Attleboro’s history, descending from the Goff family, which has roots in the area since 1720. Notable for his service in the Civil War and his subsequent career as a builder and contractor, Goff also played a significant role in local governance and military organization. His family, including his father Albert and brother Frederic, continued the legacy of public service and community engagement in Attleboro and beyond.

Descendants of Alexander Bisset Munro of Bristol, Maine

Munro Family

Alexander Bisset Munro was born 25 Dec. 1793 at Inverness, Scotland to Donald and Janet (Bisset) Munro. Alexander left Scotland at the age of 14, and lived in Dimecrana in the West Indies for 18 years. He owned a plantation, raising cotton, coffee and other produce. He brought produce to Boston Massachusetts on the ship of Solomon Dockendorff. To be sure he got his money, Solomon asked his to come home with him, where he met Solomon’s sister, Jane Dockendorff. Alexander went back to the West Indies, sold out, and moved to Round Pond, Maine, and married Jane. They had 14 children: Janet, Alexander, Margaret, Nancy, Jane, Mary, Solomon, Donald, John, William, Bettie, Edmund, Joseph and Lydia.

Biographical Sketches of Distingushed Officers of the Army and Navy

cover

The following seventy-five biographies feature distinguished officers from the Army and Navy during the last half of the 19th century. Included with each biography is a photograph, which we have included as a gallery at the bottom of this page. These particular men were chosen by the editor for their patriotism to the flag.

History of Seneca County New York

History of Seneca County New York

The 1876 manuscript “History of Seneca County, New York” offers a detailed account of the county’s first 75 years, featuring numerous chapters on its early history. It includes 35 biographies of early settlers, complemented by pencil engravings of individuals and their homes. The work also chronicles the individual townships and lists Union Army participants during the Civil War. Illustrations throughout depict Seneca County’s scenery, buildings, and significant local features, enhancing the historical narrative of the area.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Seneca and Schuyler Counties, NY

Portrait and Biographical Record of Seneca and Schuyler Counties New York

An online index to the Portrait and Biographical Record of Seneca and Schuyler Counties, New York, this volume preserves portraits and biographical sketches of prominent local citizens, including many overlooked by public records. Compiled with care for accuracy, it offers valuable material for genealogists and historians, along with biographies of all U.S. presidents.

Seneca County New York Cemeteries

Rebecca Mitchell Proctor Grave Marker

The amount of information available for Seneca County New York cemeteries online is restricted to the number of volunteers willing to photograph and transcribe the records. There does not appear to be any one website which has a complete listing, and in fact, I would say overall there is still a lot of work to be done photographing and transcribing within Seneca County is any of you care to volunteer. The following is, however, the most complete listing available of online transcriptions and photographs.

Ridgelawn Memorial Cemetery – Oxford Michigan

This cemetery record from Oxford, west of Burdick Street, lists hundreds of burials collected in September 2001 by Christopher Schnur. The transcription includes names, birth and death dates, military service, family relationships, and epitaphs, offering a detailed historical snapshot of local families, veterans, children, and spouses buried in the cemetery.

Cattaraugus Indian Reservation Map and Occupants, 1890

Theodore F. Jimerson (De-hah-teh), Cattaraugus Seneca

The Cattaraugus Indian Reservation, established in 1890, spans parts of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Erie Counties, New York. It is primarily occupied by the Seneca Nation, claiming rights over land where white settlers reside. The area, a result of treaties in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, is characterized by fertile land, waterways, and a network of roads connecting it to nearby towns. Despite rich resources, the region struggles with legal disputes regarding land ownership and infrastructure inadequacies affecting transport and communication.

Abstracts of Wills on File in the City of New York Surrogate’s Office 1660-1680

Sample Last Will and Testament

Abstracts of wills on file in the surrogate’s office city of New York 1660-1680. From May 1787 to the present, county surrogate’s courts have recorded probates. However, the court of probates and court of chancery handled estates of deceased persons who died in one county but who owned property in another. An 1823 law mandated that all probates come under the jurisdiction of the county surrogate’s courts. Each surrogate’s court has a comprehensive index to all probate records, including the unrecorded probate packets. Interestingly enough, there are wills existing and on record at the Surrogate’s Office in New York City for the time-span of 1660-1680. Genealogical extracts of these wills have been provided below.

Slave Narrative of Mom Jessie Sparrow

In September 1937, 83-year-old Jessie Sparrow reflected on her life in Marion, South Carolina, during an interview with Annie Ruth Davis. Living alone, she described her humble circumstances, relying on minimal income from laundry work. Jessie recounted her experiences growing up on a plantation, the Civil War’s impact, and her father’s efforts for family stability. She noted the changes in her community and emphasized the importance of education and manners among the younger generation. Despite her challenges, Jessie found peace in her faith and the kindness of others.

Slave Narrative of Mom Jessie Sparrow

In a May 1937 interview, 83-year-old Jessie Sparrow recounts her memories of life as a child of a house girl in Marion, South Carolina. She reflects on her mother Sallie Bowens’ early marriage and work in the white household, where they lived in a separate room. Sparrow describes their diet, cooking methods, and the care provided by her Missus, noting the absence of money. She also recalls church attendance and the community’s connection to the white Methodist Church, illustrating aspects of her past and family history.