Iroquois Genealogy Society
NYS Archives Trip, Albany, NY
On September 27, 2018; about 12 people from the Iroquois Genealogy Society took a trip to the NYS Archives at Albany, NY.
Marilyn Anderson coordinated and planned the trip that consisted of an orientation to the collections, research time for Thomas Indian School records, tour of the NYS library and viewing of private collections of the NYS Museum (our favorite).
Dr. James Folts, head of the Research Services at the NYS Archives, spoke to us about the collections and showed examples of the following:
1) 1800 map of the Holland Land Purchase showing Indian paths and Reservations.
2) 1931 State Annuity Census of Cattaraugus Territory
3) 1915 & 1925 Census of Allegany and Cattaraugus Territories
4) 1845 Census
5) 1830 Buffalo Creek Census
6) Samples of War of 1812 pension claims
Dr. Folts and his staff were made available to assist us in our research. We submitted names of relatives who attended the Thomas Indian School and these files were made available to us (minus class records and medical history). Dr. Folts provided a list of students who attended TIS from 1855 to 1955 and also list of Senecas who were in the War of 1812 from the Allegany, Cattaraugus and Cornplanter’s Reservation.
Dr. Laurence Hauptman provided lunch for us and gave a presentation on Caroline Hewitt who attended Hampton Institute in Virginia. Caroline’s parents (Harriett (Lay) & Aaron Hewitt) died when she was young and was raised by her aunt Martha (Lay) Jamerson. Caroline came from a very musical family (Lay Band) and that influenced her to attend the Dana Musical Institute in Ohio. She graduated in 1926. Quite an accomplishment for an Indian girl at that time!
In the afternoon, we viewed a private collections of Henry Morgan and Arthur Parker’s which was a real treat! Amazing beadwork of skirts, purses, moccasins and hats, lacrosse sticks, handmade ladles, war clubs etc. The rest of the afternoon was spent researching the various census of different tribes (Seneca, Cayuga, Mohawk, etc).
Everyone enjoyed themselves and of course made new friends. There wasn’t enough time to do all that we wanted so we are sure that we will be back again next year!