Our Local History and Genealogy resources may be found in our Tawasentha room. While the primary focus of the collection is on the history of Guilderland, we also have some materials related to other communities in and around the region. In addition, we have books that will aid your genealogical research, including individual family histories and numerous volumes relating to the early settlers of the colonies. These books do not circulate but may be searched through our library’s online catalog. The call number will begin with “LH REF” indicating that it is housed with the Local History Collection.

The room is accessible during regular business hours, except when there are occasional staff meetings. Consider calling ahead to ensure the room will be available during your visit 518-456-2400 x 3.

In addition to resources found in the Tawasentha room, the library subscribes to several online resources – many that are accessible from home using your library card.

Local History

Local History Resources

Click on an item below to find out about our holdings and availability.

Gregg Collection

More than 100 rare titles on local, regional, and state history donated to the Library by one of Guilderland’s former town historians, Arthur Gregg.  Access to this collection is limited – please ask if you would like to view items from this collection.

Guilderland/ Altamont/ Capital District Directories

Nearly a complete collection of Polk and Dickman Directories: 1957 – present.

Cemetery Records

Records and listings of burials from some of the cemeteries in the Town of Guilderland, NY.
Click any of the links below to be taken to a PDF of the document(s).

Fairview Cemetery Burials

Fairview Cemetery Records 1957-1963

Guilderland Cemetery List of Burials

Prospect Hill Cemetery Records April 23, 1858 – September 30, 1902

Altamont Enterprise

We carry print copies of the Altamont Enterprise from 2009 to the present. Older copies may be accessible in the following ways:

Altamont Enterprise on Microfilm (in-house use only):

  • Knowersville Newspaper – July 26, 1884 – December 28, 1889
  • Altamont Enterprise – January 4, 1890 – December 25, 2008

Our ScanPro 2000 digital microfilm reader is available for use, as well as our traditional microfilm reader.

Altamont Enterprise via NYS Historic Newspapers:

NY Historic Newspapers

This site includes Altamont Enterprise/Knowersville Enterprise 1884 – 2008, as well as other historic Albany County newspapers. There are also hundreds of searchable New York State historic newspapers on this site. Click here for access!

Microfilm (In-house use only)

Altamont Enterprise (formerly Knowersville Newspaper):

  • Knowersville Newspaper – July 26, 1884 – December 28, 1889
  • Altamont Enterprise – January 4, 1890 – December 25, 2008

Other papers on microfilm:

  • Turnpike Record – August 1956 – December 1971
  • Helderberg Sun – July 17, 1974 – April 28, 1981

Our ScanPro 2000 digital microfilm reader is available for use, as well as our traditional microfilm reader.

New York Heritage Digital Collection

View GPL and Guilderland Historical Society images.  New York Heritage is a research portal for students, educators, historians, genealogists, and anyone else who is interested in learning more about the people, places and institutions of New York State. The site provides free access to more than 170 distinct digital collections, totaling hundreds of thousands of items.

Genealogy

Genealogy Resources

Accessible Through GPL

The following resource can be accessed from anywhere with a valid Guilderland Library card.

The following resources can be accessed only in-house at the Guilderland Public Library.

*NOTE: As of 12/2017, Family Search requires users to set up a free username and password to use their site.
Family Search has been a recognized leader in the genealogy community for many years, making thousands of records available for researchers.  In addition to the records you can use at home for free, there are many more records than can be accessed through the Family Search  website at an affiliated Family History Center like the Guilderland Public Library.

Accessible Anywhere

You can access the following sites from home, and do not need a library card to use these.

Franco-American Collection

Contact the library to find out about resources placed at the GPL by the Fédération Franco-Américaine du New York of particular interest to people of French-Canadian descent.  The collection includes:

  • Parish registers from churches in the U.S. and Canada,
  • Historical society journals, and
  • Biographical and historical encyclopedias.

Contact Our Staff

Questions

Genealogy and Local History Questions may be asked via telephone 518-456-2400 x 244, mail, or via or staff contact form. However, in-depth research cannot be undertaken and no professional genealogist is on staff. If you wish to pose a question, please make it as specific as possible and include all pertinent background information. The Local History Librarian’s response time will vary based on the number of questions received and may take several weeks.

Local professional genealogist, Lisa Dougherty, holds Drop-in Genealogy sessions from 6-8pm on the second Wednesday of most months. She can provide guidance and suggestions.  As a certified genealogist, she also welcomes more in-depth services apart from her library sessions.