A Forgotten Civil War: The Revolution in the Mohawk Valley

Meet the people of the Mohawk Valley in this new exhibit.

Library of Congress and National Park Service/D.Umstead

As the Mohawk Valley stood on the edge of the American Revolution, many families and communities were shattered; their connections obscured and forgotten as they grew further apart. Throughout history, the most glorious and flashy stories have been well remembered. But many day-to-day heroics and sacrifices have been lost to time; names and faces long since unknown.

In this modern world, it is often difficult to imagine a time when a person could go completely anonymous or forgotten. So, as you walk through these pages, take a moment to reflect on the remarkable roles played by these individuals. Their contributions and their crossing paths, though often hidden in history, were crucial to the fight for independence and the creation of a new way of life.

The Stories:

Geneaology & Research

Tips for Genealogical Research

Start With A Basic Internet Search

The internet is vast, and new content is added every day. Therefore, starting with a simple search may not give you exactly what you are looking for, but it can at least point you in the right direction or make you aware of certain resources that can help in your genealogical journey!

Don’t Forget About Local Historical Societies & Museums

Most towns and cities will have a historical association dedicated to preserving and providing the history of a local area to anyone who requests for it. Records and collections of historical centers contain information about dozens of local topics, including family history. Therefore, if a vast internet search is not specific enough, a trip to your local history center may narrow it down.

Utilize All Types of Records

• Not finding an obituary becomes a common problem the further back someone goes in their family history. Thus, other records become essential when conducting multi-generational family history. 

Get Out Into The Community

• If the family member in question was a member of the Elks Club for example, then possibly visiting the local Elks Club Chapter may help a person in their quest for answers.

Don’t Be Afraid to Contact Other Institutions

Sometimes, during the research process, a person may discover that their relative moved from one location to another at some point in their life. When this happens, it could mean that the answers one is looking for are to be found within another institution or museum, perhaps out of state or as part of a much larger collection. If this does occur, most museums will have a way where one can contact them and request information to be sent.

Research Resources

Share a Story

Do you have an ancestor who's story you'd like to share? Contact a ranger using the links below!

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