Where family is the story...

The Library Surname Genealogy File consists of approximately 2,000 individual files containing genealogical research papers on thousands of family names from the Hudson Valley Region. In addition, families of Huguenot origin are also well represented in the collection, regardless of whether or not they have a connection to the Hudson Valley. The folders are organized alphabetically by surname and are available for research thanks to the hard work of the library staff and volunteers over the past several years. The papers include a wide variety of formats such as library correspondence with patrons, copies of completed application forms to heritage organizations (DAR, SAR, etc.), family trees and other charts, photocopies of historic manuscripts and secondary sources, and unpublished drafts of genealogies. A list of the surnames is provided below.

Researchers can access the Library Surname Genealogy File in one of two ways.

1. Set up an appointment to visit the library to view the collection
2. Request library staff to copy a file and mail it to you through postal mail

Researchers interested in requesting copies should send an email message or standard postal letter to the Library requesting the contents of a particular folder (or folders). Library staff will respond with the approximate number of pages and expected copying costs. Upon the patron's agreement, library staff will then copy the papers and mail them to the patron. An invoice will accompany the copies.

Some files, however, contain literally hundreds of pages. For a $10 fee, library staff will select items most relevant to the research question and copy and send only those materials. The $10 fee covers only the selection service. Copies and postage still conform to the policy above.

List of Surnames:

A-C

D-G

H-M (Metcalfe)

M (Methany)-S

T-Z

Download a PDF of the Surnames and Genealogy File