Sally Pellegrini's blog

Online NY Death Records +

Sally Pellegrini — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 21:15:20 +0000

I recently saw an email that reminded me of a great site, New York Death Records, Indexes and Obituaries. It is listed as a Genealogy Records Guide for New York City and State. If you look at the web site, www.deathindexes.com/newyork, you will find New York counties with those records that are digitized. Records and indexes are submitted so the county listings may be spotty. For instance, Rockland County shows cemetery records and funeral homes from the collection of the Genealogy Society of Rockland County. Despite the disparity in listed records, it may be worth your while to check it out. You never know, you may find a lost relative!

Staff Member to Retire

Sally Pellegrini — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 20:22:40 +0000

Sally Pellegrini, Local History and Community Relations Head, has decided it is time to retire. Her departing day will be October 24. Sally has made many wonderful library friends through her years at New City Library. She is throwing a reception on October 19, 1:30 to 3 PM. Please stop by to wish her adieu and allow her to thank people for their support and patronage.

Speaking Out

Sally Pellegrini — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 19:56:21 +0000

There is a lot of fervor about the upcoming national and local elections. For those who love to voice their political and ideological views, we are featuring two special programs this fall. Both are conversations facilitated and sponsored by the New York Council for the Humanities. Here is a chance to speak out and share your thoughts with others.

"Clear and Present Danger:Free Speech and the Constitution" is the first featured on October 2 @ 1PM. James Coll, a professor at Nassau Comunity College and a detective with NYPD leads a discussion on landmark Supreme Court decisions and the delicate balance between this important civil liberty and public safety in America. There is short preparatory material available, call 634-4997 ext 139 to receive a copy.

The second is "Democracy" on November 8 @ 1PM. This conversation sets out to determine if our ideology has changed from 150 years ago. Former director of the African Burial Ground in NYC and currently adjunct instructor, Dr. Sherrill Wilson leads the audience to review American values in the past, present and also the future.

Prologue

Sally Pellegrini — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:13:57 +0000

In the past I have mentioned both in writing and at library programs the rich amount of history in several of our publications found in the Rockland Room. Two of my favorites are Prologue from the National Archives and Archives from the NY State Archives. Both offer some off-beat history as well as relevant history for the publishing season.

In the current Summer issue, Vol.44 No. 2, there is an interesting article about FDR and his creation of the National Archives in 1934. FDR referred to the agency as "It's my baby" and his interest and support continued through his life. He asked Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter that upon his death, a simple memorial be place in his name in the center of the green plot in front of the Archives Building.The block of granite is the size of his desk and only has his name and birth/death dates.

Newspaper Index

Sally Pellegrini — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 21:03:41 +0000

In the local history collection, we have digitized the Rockland Messenger, a 19th century newspaper. This was done with a grant from the late Senator Morahan. Since that time, a more sophisiticated software has become available allowing for line segmentation and ease in searching. We are currently in the process of this upgrade through a company called Hudson Microimaging.

Newspapers are some of the last research tools that have been recognized for their valuable information and there has been a major effort o preserve the old editions. I came across an email from a librarian in Oshkosh WI and would like to condense her reporting. Apparently the Oshkosh Public Library began indexing newspapers through WPA in 1936-1938. The indexing was done by one person who covered a variety of information. Then in the nid-1950's, a researcher became so interested in family names that he indexed 1920-1948.

Adult Knitting Class Cancelled

Sally Pellegrini — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 20:45:49 +0000

We regret the class scheduled August 6, 1 PM has been cancelled by the presenter. When there is a rescheduled date, it will be posted.

Ancestry and NY State Archives

Sally Pellegrini — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:53:08 +0000

In reading New York Archives, a quarterly publication from the New York State Archives, I discovered a recent article about the collaboration of these two agencies. Recently it was agreed to post selected genealogical resources from the State Archives and Library along with some local government repositories. You can access the site via the State Archives' web page (www.archives.nysed.gov), create an account by using their email addresses and then search records from participating institutions.

Records include:

NY State Census, 1915 and 1925

NY Census of Inmates in Almhouses, 1830 and 1920

NY Marriages, 1600-1784

NY Civil War Muster Roll Abstracts, 1861- 1900

For a full list, read the Summer issue, Volume 12 #1, page 5-6.

Adult Craft Classes

Sally Pellegrini — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 14:00:25 +0000

There is a great set of craft classes taught by very talented artists at the New City Library. Imagine that you are going to camp and making crafts but instead, you will be in the coolness of the library. Beginning July 21, 11 AM, a member of the Westchester Area Basketmakers Guild will teach a simple basket design. If you have never made one, basketry is both meditative as well as functional in its application. Materials are supplied; $10 fee for materials. August 1, 10AM, a talented artist, Gar Wang, will show you how to water felt wool into a small artistic bag. Wool felting can incorporate many colors and produce a fabric that will practically never wear out.Materials fee, $10. Finally, on August 6 at 1 PM, teacher Meghan Babin will enhance your knitting skills by showing several ways to increase and decrease stitches including the short row technique. Bring yarn and choice of knitting needles. Call for further information.Registration required at 634-4997 Ext 139.

Saturday, July 7 Program Cancelled

Sally Pellegrini — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 20:02:53 +0000

The scheduled walk on Iona Island with Doc Bayne has been cancelled due to illness. As soon as Doc is up and about, we will reschedule.

Photo Quilts

Sally Pellegrini — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:16:04 +0000

Family photos have a way of piling up, demanding organization and care. Fortunately, today we have many avenues available for arranging these family treasures. We are now able to email them, store on our computers, send to an online service for processing and post on a web site for anyone to view. However, one way that is not as well known is printing digital photos on fabric.

The Genealogy Society of Rockland has asked Debra Calyo, an avid quilter, to the June 26 meeting starting at 7 PM. Debra will bring samples of her creative work and explain the process.The technique is not limited to just quilts as most fabrics will take the images. Banners, clothing, tote bags are a few of the ways you can create family scrapbooks. For those with planned summer/fall family reunions, this concept may be a great way to share family memories with others.

The Genealogy Society always welcomes guests and those who are curious about genealogy. Meetings are scheduled on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7 PM. The group does not meet July, August and December. Hope to see you.