LOCAL HISTORY ROOM

If you need assistance, please contact us at localhistory@guilderlandlibrary.org.

The Guilderland Local History Room collection is composed of materials related to the history of Guilderland as well as other communities in the region. Additionally, we have books that will aid in genealogical research. This collection does not circulate but can be searched through the Library’s online catalog. The call number will begin with “LH REF,” indicating that it can be found in the Local History Room. Current hours are:

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 1:00-5:00 PM 
  • By Appointment

CONSULTATIONS

Professional Genealogist Lisa Dougherty offers drop-in 1:1 family history consultations on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the library. Please note that she will not be at the library July/August of this year.

 

For more information, visit Lisa’s website: http://www.upstatenygenealogy.com

Visit our Calendar of Events to see when the next session takes place.

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

Tawasenthan Yearbook

The Guilderland High School Yearbook: 1946 – 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:

NYS 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 (Currently unavailable)

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

Unfortunately, our microfilm machines are currently out of service.

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.

New York Heritage Digital Collections

Genealogy Resources

Accessible Through GPL

The following resources can be accessed from anywhere with a valid Guilderland Library card. You will find the resources below by visiting our learning tools page.

  • Fold3 Miltary Records

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

  • Ancestry.com – Library Edition
  • FamilySearch

Click here to be taken to our learning tools page.
Choose “Genealogy” or “Local History” to find everything above, plus much more.

Accessible Anywhere

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

USING PRIMARY SOURCES IN YOUR RESEARCH

Learn about primary sources and understand how to access and interpret them for your genealogy research. Click here to access the 8-minute video.

RULES OF HOUSE

  • Food and Drink are not permitted in the Guilderland Room
  • All Researchers must sign in and out
  • Pen/ink may not be used; pencils are provided if needed
  • Laptop computers, phone and digital cameras are permitted
  • Photocopying will be done by Library Staff with a small fee
  • Materials may not leave the room

Genealogy and Local History Questions may be asked via telephone 518-456-2400 x 244, mail, or email at  localhistory@guilderlandlibrary.org. 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 & 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.