New York

Documenting the American Revolution in Westchester County, New York

Located between British occupied New York City and patriot Connecticut, Westchester County, New York has sometimes been referred to as Revolutionary War “neutral ground.” Yet, neutral did not mean without conflict: as one author described, from 1777 to the end of the War, “[…], there was no systematic campaign in Westchester county, but continuous fighting.”ContinueContinue reading “Documenting the American Revolution in Westchester County, New York”

Resources for the Research of New York Loyalists

In Unfriendly to Liberty: Loyalists Networks and the Coming of the American Revolution in New York City, Christopher Minty argues that commerce was at the center of the political divide in pre-Revolutionary New York City. The city, he suggests, was both the center of commerce for the American colonies and highly dependent on supplying BritishContinueContinue reading “Resources for the Research of New York Loyalists”

My lineage society says I need vital records from NY. Do I need a court order?

I’ve heard this come up as a point of confusion often recently… New York State has restrictions on the access to vital records. (NY City has its own records system.) A lineage society requires that vital records be provided for the applicant, their parents, and their grandparents. The parents are deceased. The applicant is toldContinueContinue reading “My lineage society says I need vital records from NY. Do I need a court order?”

Joining the Dames on an ancestor from Nantucket?

To join the Colonial Dames, you have to be descended from an ancestor that fulfilled a certain role or held a certain position. For two out of the three Dames societies, the roles and positions considered to make an ancestor “eligible” depend on the ancestor’s colony of residence. If your ancestor is from Nantucket, thingsContinueContinue reading “Joining the Dames on an ancestor from Nantucket?”

How do I document Revolutionary era service in New York?

Are you looking to document Revolutionary War era service for a DAR or SAR patriot from New York? First all, realize it might be a challenge. New York City and Long Island were both occupied during the War. As a result, New Yorkers were supported the American cause were sometimes forced to swear allegiance toContinueContinue reading “How do I document Revolutionary era service in New York?”