When someone has a real passion for genealogy, it will sometime drive them to perform marvelous, if somewhat crazy, feats. I must assume it was passion that drove the late Fred Q. Bowman to abstract individual vital information for over 10,000, 19th century New Yorkers from early 19th century newspapers. After doing just that, Bowman did so twice more. The good news is, you don’t have to repeat the research process to enjoy the results of Bowman’s work. 10,000 Vital Records of Western New York: 1809–1850 is collection of records taken from the marriage and death columns of five western New York newspapers, as published before 1850.
10,000 Vital Records of Western New York: 1809–1850, includes 5,275 marriage and 4,781 death (for an actual total of 10,056) records. While births were not covered in these early newspapers, often birth dates and birthplaces and parents names were listed in these notices. Western New York covers 17 counties, with records pulled from publications in five towns; Batavia, Bath, Geneva, Jamestown, and Palmyra. Geneva lies on the border between central and western New York. Vital records from the Geneva Gazette, 1824–1850 appear in the Central New York volume.
Records are listed alphabetically, either by bridegroom or the name of the deceased. Despite being listed alphabetically, there is an index, which may be easier to skim when browsing for a name. An appendix lists an abstract of names of Marriage Officials. These officials are listed alphabetically, with their religious affiliation (when available), the town in which they live, a date span of ceremonies they performed; and the number of ceremonies performed.
Like any source of extracted information from published records, this book makes a great addition to all family history and genealogical society libraries, as well as for individuals researching the New York area during the first half of the 1800s.
Order a copy of 10,000 Vital Records of Western New York: 1809–1850 from Family Roots Publishing; Item #GPC643. On Sale for 20% Off.