SARATOGA NYGENWEB
LOCAL RELATED RESOURCES
The following list of resources in Saratoga County and vicinity, includes
libraries, historical societies, museums, and other sources of information
that might be useful to genealogists. Hours are variable and research
assistance may be limited so it is best to call or write before visiting.
List prepared by Ruth Ann Messick.
Last Updated:
Ballston Spa Library 518-885-5022
Milton Ave
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
This is a small library but loaded with a mixture of resource material that
would be quite useful for genealogical research. They have a microfilm
set of the Ballston Journal Newspaper which also carried information from
other Saratoga Co. towns. An ongoing project by volunteers has created
a 3x5 card file of the vital records found in this newpaper and are currently
up to 14 Aug 1886. There is a microfilm set of the Durkee's Epitaphs of
Saratoga County cemeteries copied in 1877; also microfilms of Westchester
County and Stamford, CT materials. There are incomplete collections of
Saratoga Springs City Directories, Tree Talks, NYG&BR, and other
publications. Other holdings: collection of local history pamphlets on
Saratoga, Capital District, and the Adirondacks; Ballston school yearbooks
from 1950; donated genealogies. The staff will check for your surnames in a
closed collection of cemetery cards. There is a large framed map of the
Ballston Spa Cemetery, the largest burying ground in that area, which has
the owners names on each lot. Ask to see the guide to the Manzer
collection, a large collection on everything that Mr. Manzer could find
anywhere that referred to Saratoga County and donated to this library.
Sept to June hours. Closed Sunday and Monday. Open Tuesday and Friday
11am to 8pm, Wednesday and Thur. 11am to 6pm, Saturday 11am to 3pm
Staff is unable to answer mail queries.
See our Links Page for online connection to this library.
Bolster Collection 518-580-1907
PO Box 216
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
The George Bolster Collection consists of photos that he had taken which
includes mostly people and some buildings of Saratoga Springs, NY. The
wedding photos are almost completely cataloged alphabetically by year in
a computer file. About 99% were identified by the bride's surname and some
include the groom's surname. Studio portraits and family groups are being
cataloged and computerized. These commence with the 1940s and have
been identified and added (up to 1961) in the Fall of 1997. There is a large
collection of images of buildings, mostly identified by address. The Bolster
Collection includes some of photographer Harry Settle's work which is mostly
VIPs of other surrounding towns.
Brookside Museum 518-885-4000
Saratoga County History Center
6 Charlton Street
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
e-mail: Brookside Museum
Brookside has the largest collection of artifacts in the area, cataloged by
collection owner/donor. There is a research room, with surname files and
other reference books for genealogical research. They have changing artifact
displays and many programs depicting local history.
See our Links Page for online connection to the museum.
Corinth Historical Society Museum
Corinth Town Hall
600 Palmer Avenue
Corinth, NY 12822
The museum is located in the basement of the town hall with access from
the parking lot in the rear. They have a nice collection of information and
artifacts about the town and its residents. Open on Sat. in the summer.
For genealogical and other information, write to this address,
attn: Rachel Clothier.
Historical Society of Moreau and S. Glens Falls 518-745-7741
PO Box 1187
S. Glens Falls, NY 12803
Housed in The Parks Bentley Place at 52 Ferry Blvd., S. Glens Falls, NY
Hours: 1-4pm Thur&Fri, or by appointment. Materials and photos including
Town of Moreau and surrounding area. Send correspondence to PO Box,
attn: Marjorie Sexton.
Historical Society of Saratoga Springs 518-584-6920
Congress Park (Broadway at Congress St.)
PO Box 216
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Attn: Doris Lamont
The Museum is open daily with displays of the area and events. Gift shop.
The Research Library is open Wednesday 10am to 4pm; other times by
appointment. Collection includes the Walworth family papers; Frank Sullivan
records; huge business record collection including hotel registries, store
records; Harrington and Mallory Monument dealers records. Primary material
includes events in Saratoga Springs and a 'people' file.
Mechanicville District Public Library 518-664-4646
15 S. Main Street
Mechanicville, NY 12118
Librarian: Jennie Little
Hours: Mon & Wed 11am-8pm; Tue, Thu, Fri 11am-5pm; Sat 9am-1pm
The Col. Ellsworth Room has surname files, many loose files, early (late
1800s) area newspapers on microfilm and other local resources.
National Bottle Museum 518-885-7589
76 Milton Avenue
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
The Museum has a large collection of bottles and glass items. Good history
of bottles, which includes some information about people affiliated with the
glass industry and bottle making, including some who resided in Saratoga
County. Files on these people are not organized in a manner conducive to
genealogy.
National Museum of Racing 518-584-0400 Fax 584-4574
Union Ave.
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Information on people who were affiliated with racing, only; not organized
in a manner conducive to genealogy. Files not accessible by the public;
write to the Racing Museum Librarian.
Saratoga Springs Preservation Society 518-587-5030 (Call ahead)
6 Lake Avenue
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Hours: Usually Mon-Fri 10am - 4pm
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Society is on the 2nd Floor.They have
information on over 3000 properties or houses within the Saratoga Springs
city limits. For the houses they have traced, they have the names of owners
of record from the present, to as far back as they have been able to go.
Files contain photos, measurements, and descriptions of architecture, etc.
They may have extracted information from the Saratoga Springs City
Directories (from 1869) at the Saratoga Springs Library. Some files might
contain additional information and photos about past occupants of the
building.They welcome photos and information about any of the sites in
Saratoga Springs. Small staff; be sure to call ahead.
Saratoga Springs Public Library 518 584-7860 FAX 518 584-7866
49 Henry Street
Saratoga Springs NY 12866
web site: www.saratoga.lib.ny.us
Resources at the library include books and publications about Saratoga
County and its communities, both in Reference and Circulation departments.
There are many computer stations available that provide access to
additional information at other repositories. The microfilm collection
includes back issues of older newspapers, some local census data, Sanborn
Fire Insurance Maps, and Durkee's Epitaphs (county cemetery inscriptions
copied in the 1870s and 1880s). Saratoga Springs City Directories
beginning in 1869, school yearbooks, maps and assorted other materials are
also available. The Saratoga Room is the library's large local history
collection focusing on Saratoga Springs with some material on surrounding
areas.
Libary staff is there to help. Specific written questions will receive a
reply.
Library Hours:
Mon.- Thurs. 9 am-9 pm
Fri. 9 am-6 pm
Sat. 9 am-5 pm
Sun. Noon-5 pm.
Saratoga Room Hours:
Monday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Tuesday 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Thursday 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Shenendehowa Public Library (518)371-8622
47 Clifton Country Road
Clifton Park, NY 12065
Director: Josephine L. Piracci
Library Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9:30am-8:30pm, Fri.-Sat. 10am-6pm, Sun. 12pm-6pm.
Summer Hours (July-Labor Day): Sat. 10am-1pm, Sun.Closed
Some genealogical materials may be found in the Historical Collection Room.
The Town of Clifton Park Historian's holdings are also located here. Call
ahead to arrange for access to these materials.
See our Links Page for online connection to the library.
Phone:
Skidmore College Library 518-580-5508
N. Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Hours vary with campus sessions and holidays. Call for library hours.
Skidmore's collection is quite varied as are most college libraries. This
is the local Federal Repository including the Federal Census Records for
Saratoga County on microfilm commencing with 1790. They also have some
Saratoga County State Census records on microfilm. One will find information
for not only Saratoga and surrounding areas, but also from many other states.
Computerized indexes, microform readers, computers and other electronic
forms available for public use. Another part of Skidmore's collections includes the
local history resources in Special Collections in the Pohndorff Room, Scribner
Library which is open Mon-Fri 10am-4:00pm (closed 12-1 daily. This collection
includes:
RARE BOOKS
*The Yates book collection is the best source for titles on local history. Consisting of
about seventy titals covering local history topics including military, social history and
Saratoga County histories.
*The Steloff colection is a small selection of books and ephemera about Saratoga Springs;
books bu city historinas and souvenirs from 19th century hotels and summer activities.
*The general rare book collection has books on Saratoga Springs.
COLLEGE ARCHIVES AND HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS
*Skidmore College Archives - 1903 - documents and records pertaining to Skidmore College.
*Saratoga Springs 19th Century Prints
*Temple Grove Female Seminary Records, photos, and other material - 1868-1902
*The Yates Documents Collection (1870's-1980's) business records andmemorabilia describing areas of Saratoga Springs.
Waterford Historical Museum & Cultural Society 518-238-0809
PO Box 175
Waterford, NY 12188
Located on Museum Lane at the light, near the Cohoes-Waterford bridge.
Open Sat.&Sun. 2-4p.m. late Apr. to early Nov., except major holiday
weekends. Handicapped accessible. No admission charge. Artifacts and
displays of early history, especially business and canal activity. No
genealogical records.
Not for profit, membership organization, some planned activities & speakers.
Washington County Research Facilities which include Saratoga County
information:
Fort Historical Association
Box 106
Ft. Edward, NY 12828
Research collection is open Wed. 10a.m.-4pm. Collection has a wide variety
of materials from many sources and contains good genealogical information
for Saratoga County families. The Old Fort House Museum has several
buildings in which to enjoy the past.
Washington County Historical Society
167 Broadway
Fort Edward, NY 12828
Heritage Research Library open 12-4pm on Fri. They have surname files and
a collection of material on people and history of Washington County, NY.
Watervliet Arsenal Museum (518)266-5805
Watervliet, NY
The Watervliet Arsenal Museum tells the story of America's development of cannon as
well as the history of America's oldest, continuously active arsenal. Artifacts on
display range from special leather goods manufactured at the arsenal to the world-
class cannon for which it is known. There are many different types of cannon, guns
and mortars displayed dating back to the 1750s, including the Burgoyne cannon of
1777. There is also a library and research facility. Thousands of historical
publications, photographs, and other bits and pieces of military history are on file.
The museum staff provides fascinating tours for groups of all sizes. The Arsenal
Museum is free and open to the general public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through
Thursday. See our Links Page for a listing of a cyber tour of the Watervliet Arsenal Museum.
[updated 03 April 2013]