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This is both a bibliography-in-progress of sources about Schenectady history and a central location for browsing those we have put online. The numbers in brackets are their call numbers in the collection of the Schenectady County Public Library; some sources listed are also (or only) owned by other libraries. See also the list of vital records at the Schenectady County Historical Society.
(For other sources which are not specific to Schenectady or our area, see an overview of the Schenectady County Public Library's extensive history and genealogy collection.)
For links to related material, see the area histories on our home page as well as People and Families.
Birch, John J. The Markers Speak: An Informal History of the Schenectady Area. Schenectady: Schenectady County Historical Society, 1962. [Schdy R 974.744 B61]
Burke, Thomas E. Jr. "The Extreemest Part of All": The Dutch Community of Schenectady, New York, 1661-1720. Ph.D. dissertation for State University of New York at Albany, 1984. [Schdy R 974.744 BUR]
Monroe, Joel Henry. Schenectady Ancient and Modern. Geneva, NY: Press of W. F. Humphrey, 1914. [Schdy R 974.744 M75, copies also available for borrowing]
Papp, John. Schenectady's Changing Scene: An Illustrated Tour Through the Streets of Schenectady's Past and Present. John Papp, 1969. [Schdy R 974.744 P21s]
Sanders, John. Centennial Address Relating to the Early History of Schenectady and Its First Settlers. 1879. [Schdy R 974.744 S21]
Schenectady Chamber of Commerce. Schenectady and the Great Western Gateway: Past and Present. Schenectady Chamber of Commerce, 1926. [Schdy R 974.744 S328s, copies also available for borrowing]
Staffa, Susan. Schenectady Genesis: How a Dutch Colonial Village Became an American City, ca. 1661-1800, Volume I: The Colonial Crucible, ca. 1661-1774. Fleischmanns, NY: Purple Mountain Press, 2005. (excerpt from the Preface)
Veeder, Millicent Winton. Door to the Mohawk Valley: A History of Schenectady for Young People. Albany, NY: Cromwell Printery, Inc., 1947.
Wells, Robert V. Facing the King of Terrors: Living with Death in an American Community. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000. [Schdy R 306.9 Wel, copies also available for borrowing]
Becker, Howard I. History CA-NAS-TA-GI-O-NE: North of the Mohawk River at Niskayuna. Rexford, NY: Howard I. Becker, 1953. [Schdy R 974.744 B39]
Brinkman, Lloyd M. A History of Niskayuna, New York Vol. One. New York State American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, 1976. [Schdy R 974.744 B85]
Glenville - Past and Present: Sesquicentennial Celebration - August 16-22, 1970. [+974.744 G55]
Mastrean, Irma. Princetown: Portrait of a Town. Princetown Historical Society, 1990. [Schdy R 974.744 MAS]
Phillips, Marjorie R. Hoag. Quaker Street: A Village Founded by Quakers. 1965.
Van Epps, Percy M. Contributions to the History of Glenville, N. Y.: A Series of Papers by Percy M. Van Epps. Glenville Town Board, 1926-1940. [Schdy R 974.744 V25]
Williams, Gweneira and George Palermo. The Story of Scotia, N. Y. Scotia Public Library, 1943. [Schdy R 974.744 W72]
Hislop, Codman. The Mohawk. New York: Rinehart and Co., Inc., 1948. [Schdy R 974.7 H673]
Kimball, Francis P. The Capital Region of New York State: Crossroads of Empire. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1942 [R 974.7 K49, 4 vol]
Nellis, Milo. The Mohawk Dutch and the Palatines: Their Background and Their Influence on the Development of the United States of America. 1951. [R 974.7 N42]
O'Callaghan, E. B. Documentary History of the State of New-York. Albany, NY: Weed, Parsons & Co., Public Printers, 1850. [R 974.7 D63, 4 vol]
Reid, W. Max. The Mohawk Valley: Its Legends and History, 1609-1780. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1901. [Schdy R 974.7 R35m]
Snow, Dean R. et al. In Mohawk Country: Early Narratives about a Native People. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 1996. [Schdy 974.7 In]
Vrooman, John J. Forts and Firesides of the Mohawk Country. Johnstown, NY: Baronet Litho Co., Inc., 1951. [Schdy R 974.7 V98a]
Maston, Bruce. An Enclave of Elegance: A Survey of the Architecture, Development and Personalities of the General Electric Realty Plot Historic District. G.E.R.P.A. Publications, 1983. [Schdy R 974.744 MAS]
Schenectady County Historical Society. Historic Buildings in Downtown Schenectady. Schenectady: Schenectady County Historical Society, 1959. [974.744 S328]
Van der Bogert, Giles Yates. Walls Have Ears. Schenectady: Stockade Association, 1966. [Schdy R 974.744 V22w]
Schenectady Public Library. Our Hall of Fame, Schenectady Public Library, 1938. [Schdy R 920 S324, circulating copies available]
Coolidge, William David
Miller, John Anderson. Yankee Scientist: William David Coolidge. Schenectady: Mohawk Development Service, 1963. [Schdy R B C7748m, circulating copies also]
Lewis, Charles F.
Hart, Larry. Through the Darkest Hour: A romantic story of a Union College man's adventures and tribulations during the Civil War, 1862-1865. Scotia: Old Dorp Books, 1990. [Schdy R Fict Har]
Lunn, Gorge R.
Rich, Kathryn. George R. Lunn: Socialist Mayor of Schenectady. 1966. [Schdy R 974.744 R49]
Stratton, Samuel S.
Cross, Wilbur. Samuel S. Stratton: A Story of Political Gumption. New York: J. H. Heineman, 1964. [Schdy R B S9113c, circulating copy also]
Cormack, Marie Noll. Cemetery of St. John the Baptist, Brandywine Avenue, Schenectady, New York. 1938. [Schdy R 974.744 C81]
Cormack, Marie Noll. Cemetery Records of Schenectady, Albany and Saratoga Counties. 1940 [Schdy R 974.744 C81c]
Keefer, Donald A. Vital Records, First Reformed Church, Scotia, New York. Rhinebeck, NY: Arthur C. M. Kelly, 1986. [Schdy R 929.3 KEE] [Contains baptisms 1832-1899, marriages 1835-1899, deaths 1852-1882; includes Old Reformed Church Cemetery]
Brown, Laura M. Tolman. Emmanuel Baptist Church: The Homelike Church, 1881-1981 - "My God Shall Supply All Your Need" [Schdy R 286 B87]
First Baptist Church. Church History: 1822-1957. 1957. [Schdy R 286 F52]
Kelly, Arthur C. M. Vital Records of Baptist Church, Scotia, Schenectady County, New York, 1840-1906. Rhinebeck, NY: Arthur C. M. Kelly, 1999. [Schdy R 929.3 KELba] [also known as First Baptist Church of Glenville]
Catholic
Cormack, Marie Noll. Cemetery of St. John the Baptist, Brandywine Avenue, Schenectady, New York. 1938. [Schdy R 974.744 C81]
History of the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle on Its Diamond Jubilee. [Schdy R 282 C56t]
St. Adalbert's Church. Church of St. Adalbert, 1903-1973. 1978. [Schdy R 282 C56]
St. Joseph's Church. Centennial Jubilee of St. Joseph's Parish, Schenectady, New York, 1862-1962. [Schdy R 282 S324]
St. Joseph's Church. Centennial Observance, St. Joseph's Church. 1977. [Schdy R 282 Cen]
St. Joseph's Church. Golden Jubilee of St. Joseph's Parish, 1907-1957 Souvenir Book. Scotia, 1957. [Schdy R 282 Gol]
St. Mary's Church 100th Anniversary, October 11, 1992. [Schdy R 282 StM]
Episcopal
Hanson, Willis T. Jr. A History of St. George's Church in the City of Schenectady. 1919. [Schdy R 283 H25] [includes baptisms 1753-1850, marriages 1771-1850, burials 1771-1885, births 1767-1788, 2 vol.]
Martin, Harold C. St. George's Church: Spanning Three Centuries. Schenectady: St. George's Parish, 1984. [Schdy R 283 MAR]
St. George's Church. Faith in Action: A Welcome to St. George's Episcopal Church. 1959. [Schdy R 283 S32]
Greek Orthodox
St. George's Greek Orthodox Church. ("60th anniversary book, commemorating the burning of the mortgage on the Hellenic Center" - 1974?) [Schdy R 281.9 St]
Methodist
Broadway Methodist Church. Fiftieth Anniversary of the Organization of Broadway Methodist Church, Schenectady, New York, 1902-1952. [Schdy R 287 B86]
Wertz, Philip H.. One Hundred Years of History: First United Methodist Church, Schenectady, New York, 1872 to 1972. [Schdy R 287 W49, circulating copies available]
Methodist Episcopal
First Methodist Episcopal Church. Centennial History of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Schenectady, N. Y. 1907. [Schdy R 287 S32]
Presbyterian
Backus, Clarence Walworth. A Historical Sketch of the First Presbyterian Church of Princetown, Schenectady County. 1884. [Schdy R 285.1 B126]
Backus, J. Trumbull. A Discourse Containing the History of the Presbyterian Church, Schenectady. 1869. [Schdy R 285.1 B12]
Union Presbyterian Church. Hour of Decision. 1951. [Schdy R 285.1 S32]
West Charlton United Presbyterian Church 175th Anniversary, 1792-1967. [Schdy R 285.1 W51]
Quaker
Phillips, Marjorie R. Hoag. The Story of the Friends Meeting House at Quaker Street. N. Y. 1944 [Schdy R 289.6 P55]
Reformed
Bellevue Reformed Church, Schenectady, New York, 1893-1943. [Schdy R 285.7 S324]
Birch, John J. As the Fields Ripened: Being a History of the Schenectady Classis of the Reformed Church in America. Schenectady: The Schenectady Classis, 1960. [Schdy R 285.7 B61as]
Birch, John J. The Pioneering Church of the Mohawk Valley. Schenectady: Consistory of the First Reformed Church, 1955. [Schdy R 285.7 B61]
First Reformed Church of Schenectady. The First Dutch Reformed Church, Schenectady, New York, 1680-1944. 1944. [Schdy R 285.7 S32f]
First Reformed Church of Schenectady. An Historical Sketch of the First Reformed Church of Schenectady, New York, Corner of Church and Union Streets. 1976.
First Reformed Church of Schenectady. Three Centuries: The History of the First Reformed Church of Schenectady, 1680-1980. [Schdy R 285.7 S32t, 2 vol.]
First Reformed Church of Schenectady. Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the First Reformed Church (Reformed Protestant Dutch), 1680-1930. 1930. [Schdy R 285.7 S32a]
Keefer, Donald A. Historical Sketchbook of the First Reformed Church of Glenville, New York, 1812-1962. 1962. [Schdy R 285.7 K26]
Keefer, Donald A. A History of the First Reformed Church of Scotia, New York, 1818-1968. 1968. [Schdy R 285.7 S42]
Keefer, Donald A. Vital Records, First Reformed Church, Scotia, New York. Rhinebeck, NY: Arthur C. M. Kelly, 1986. [Schdy R 929.3 KEE] [Contains baptisms 1832-1899, marriages 1835-1899, deaths 1852-1882; includes Old Reformed Church Cemetery]
Kelly, Arthur C. M. Baptism Record of Schenectady Reformed Church: Schenectady, New York, 1694-1811. Rhinebeck, NY: A. C. M. Kelly, 1987. [Schdy R 929.3 KEL]
Kelly, Arthur C. M. Marriage Record of Schenectady Reformed Church: Schenectady, New York, 1694-1852. Rhinebeck, NY: A. C. M. Kelly, 1988. [Schdy R 929.3 KELsc]
Kelly, Arthur C. M. Vital Records of Niskayuna Reformed Church, Schenectady, N.Y., 1783-1861. Rhinebeck, NY: Arthur C. M. Kelly, 1984. [Schdy R 929.3 KELn] [Contains baptisms 1783-1860, marriages 1835-1861, deaths 1859-1861]
Kelly, Arthur C. M. Vital Records of Princetown Reformed Church, Duanesburg, New York, 1824-1899. Rhinebeck, NY: Arthur C. M. Kelly, 1984. [Schdy R 929.3 KELp] [Contains baptisms 1825-1899, marriages 1839-1897, membership 1824-1898]
Kelly, Arthur C. M. Vital Records of Woestina Reformed Church (Rotterdam, NY) and Glenville Reformed Church, 1800-1899. Rhinebeck, NY: Arthur C. M. Kelly, 1984. [Schdy R 929.3 KELw] [Contains various baptisms 1800-1899, marriages 1818-1899, deaths 1826-1899]
Shaver, Elizabeth D. Cemetery Records of Niskayuna Reformed Church. Rexford, NY: Howard I. Becker, 1966? [at Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library]
Shaver, Elizabeth D. A Serving People: A History of the Niskayuna Reformed Church. 1966. [Schdy R 285.7 N72]
United Church of Christ
Friedens United Church of Christ, 1891-1991. [Schdy R 285.8 One]
Arnold, Richard D. Arnold Families of Saratoga County, New York. Schenectady: Richard D. Arnold, 1992. [Schdy R 929.2 Arn]
Bearup
Hull, Thomas Franklin. Some Descendants of Thomas Bearup. 1977 [Schdy R 929.1 B368h]
Conde
Slocum, Stephen Elmer. Genealogy of the Conde Family in America. 1928. [Schdy R 929.2 C74s]
Constable
Pilcher, Edith. The Constables: First Family of the Adirondacks. Utica, NY: North Country Books, 1992. [Schdy R 929.2 CONp]
Curtis
Donnan, Edna Curtis. Curtis Genealogy. 1935. [Schdy R 929.2 C97d]
Furman
Furman, James D. The Furman Legend. 1978. [Schdy R 929.2 F98l]
Furman, Robert. Furman Homes and Sites: A Record of Achievement. 1957. [Schdy R 929.2 F98]
Gibson
Hubbard, Edward W. Alexander C. Gibson and His Descendants. 1984. [Schdy R 929.2 GIBh]
Gledhill
Watrous, Hilda R. James Gledhill: Immigrant Ancestor and the Gledhill Family in New Lisbon Township. 1978. [Schdy R 929.2 G555w]
James
James, Ernest C. Ancestors of the James Family: Descendants of Cornelius Anthonisse Van Schlick and Al-Stoch Hartwell. 1994. [Schdy R 9292 JAMj]
Korycinski
Smith, Jane Korycinski. The Korycinski/Gzyms Family Across Many Lands. Carrollton, VA: Desktop Services, 1993. [Schdy R 929.2 KORs]
Linville
Linville, Thomas Merriam. Descendants of Solomon Priest of Massachusetts and John Henry Linville of North Carolina. Schenectady: Acme Press, 1978. [Schdy R 929.2 P94l]
Lyon
Lyon, Vernon H. History of the Lyon Family. 1982. [Schdy R 929.2 L99l]
McGee
Hull, Thomas Franklin. Some Descendants of John McGee. 1977 [Schdy R 929.1 M14h]
Mynderse
Mynderse 1690-1990: April 1 to October 31, 1993 [exhibit]. Schenectady Museum and Planetarium, 1993. [Schdy R 929.2 MYN]
Thomas, Charles E. Journals of the Mynderse Sisters: Life in an Old Manse and at Sunnyside Farm as Recorded in the Journals of Anna, Kate and Harriet Mynderse in the Period from 1856 to 1862. Schenectady Museum and Planetarium, 1994. [Schdy R 929.2 MYNj]
Thomas, Charles E. Summaries of Selected Documents from the Mynderse Papers: Selected from Paper Memorabilia collected by Four Generations of Mynderse and Related Families: Sanders, Vedder, McClellan, Wilson, Douw, Ten Broeck, Livingston, Van Alstyne et al. Saved in Holland House by Helen Livingston Mynderse. Schenectady Museum and Planetarium, 1994. [Schdy R 929.2 MYNs]
Thomas, Charles E. Windows on the History of the Schenectady Area: The Mynderse Papers. Schenectady Museum and Planetarium, 1994. [Schdy R 929.2 MYNt]
Priest
Linville, Thomas Merriam. Descendants of Solomon Priest of Massachusetts and John Henry Linville of North Carolina. Schenectady: Acme Press, 1978. [Schdy R 929.2 P94l]
Rose
Rose, Christine. Descendants of Robert Rose of Wethersfield and Branford, Connecticut Who Came on the Ship "Francis" in 1634 from Ipswich, England. San Jose, CA: Rose Family Association, 1983. [Schdy R 929.2 ROSr]
Summers, William Clark. The Sommer-Sommers-Somers and Summers That Missed the Boat. 1979. [Schdy R 929.2 S95s]
Vedder
Thomas, Charles E. Tales Told in an Old Manse: The Life and Times of Dominie Vedder, His Ancestors and Descendants. Schenectady Museum and Planetarium, 1994. [Schdy R 929.2 VEDt]
Vedder, Edwin Henry. The Vedder Family in America. 1974 [Schdy R 929.2 V41v]
Veeder
Graham, Peter. Abram and Clausha Veeder: 19th Century Characters of Scotia, NY. 1994. [Schdy R 929.2 GRA]
Vrooman / Vroman
Randall, Lora Vrooman and Florence Vrooman Houghton. Josiah B. Vrooman (Vroman): His Ancestors and Descendants. El Paso, TX: Carl Hertzog: Printer, 1946. [Schdy R 929.2 VROr]
Vrooman Genealogy Data: Classification of Original Settlers, Data on Individuals, Index to Pedigree Sheets, Index to Family Sheets. 1950? [Schdy R 929.2 VRO]
Wickersham, Grace Vrooman and Ernest Bernard Comstock. The Vrooman Family in America: Descendants of Hendrick Meese Vrooman Who Came from Holland to America in 1664. 1949. [Schdy R 929.2 VROw]
Wright
Robertson, Roger E. Genealogical Analysis and Solution to Conflicting Data on Earl Wright (1726-1810) vs. Matthew Wright (ca. 1700/07-1810) as Husband to Esther Lewis (1730-1820) and Father of Daniel, Esther, Hepsebah, John, Earl, Sally, Louise, Matthew, Thomas and Ebenezer. 1994 [Schdy R 929.2 WRIr]
Miller, D. L. Atlas of the City of Schenectady; Embracing Maps of the Village of Scotia. Philadelphia: D. L. Miller and A. H. Mueller, 1905. [Schdy R 912.747 M64]
Hopkins, G. M. City Atlas of Schenectady, New York from Official Records, Private Plans and Actual Surveys. Philadelphia: G. M. Hopkins, 1880. [Schdy R 912.747 C58]