Genealogy Insights: History of Montgomery and Fulton Counties
My genealogical research, both for clients and my own family history, has led me to discover some helpful online resources. I’m sharing these resources with you, in the hopes that they will assist in your own research efforts. This post focuses on a 19th century published history of Montgomery and Fulton counties in New York.
Understanding the Importance of Local Histories
Several factors fueled the surge in local history publications during the mid-to-late 19th century. A sense of national identity spurred interest in understanding regional histories, while civic pride motivated the commemoration of local pioneers and their achievements.
The rise of genealogy, coupled with advancements in printing technology, increased the demand for and accessibility of these publications. Furthermore, the establishment of numerous historical societies actively promoted the collection, preservation, and dissemination of local history materials, contributing to a flourishing market that continues to benefit researchers today.
These types of publications generally contain information about the following:
- Early settlers, prominent citizens, and community leaders.
- The formation and development of towns.
- Local church, land and cemetery records, which can provide essential clues for continued research.
It should be noted that while these resources are valuable, they can contain inaccuracies. That’s why it’s important to cross-reference the information in local histories with other types of records.
History of Montgomery and Fulton Counties, N.Y.
How to Access
Digitized versions of “History of Montgomery and Fulton Counties, N.Y.” can be found online through the following websites:
All three websites have the ability to perform searches of the publication’s text.
Generally, collections of digital local histories are available through numerous websites. In addition to those listed above, you can also try the following websites:
As A Research Tool
My research focused on determining the birthplace of Abraham Fry, born circa 1805. New York State census records presented conflicting information: the 1855 census listed his birthplace as Montgomery County, while the 1865 census indicated Fulton County.
Recognizing that these counties share a border, I delved into their historical relationship. Researching the “History of Montgomery and Fulton Counties, N.Y.,” revealed that Fulton County was formed from a portion of Montgomery County in 1838. This suggested that Abraham was likely born in a town that belonged to Montgomery County at his birth and later became part of Fulton County.
To investigate further, I examined the 1800 and 1810 federal censuses to identify towns within Montgomery County that contained households with the surname “Fry.” By cross-referencing this information with historical accounts of town formations, I narrowed down the possibilities to two towns: Mayfield and Oppenheim.
Both towns were originally part of Montgomery County but became part of Fulton County following its creation in 1838.
To solidify my findings, I requested death records for Abraham Fry’s children. While not always inclusive of parental birthplaces, one of his son’s death records thankfully listed Abraham’s birthplace as Mayfield, New York. This successful outcome demonstrates the value of investigating seemingly indirect resources, such as town formation histories, and carefully analyzing the information they provide to achieve research goals.
Need Research Assistance?
If you need help with the myriad genealogy resources available, or researching a particular geographic area, I offer personalized services to help you achieve your research goals.
- Genealogy Coaching: If you’re eager to conduct your own research, I provide 1-hour coaching sessions to guide you through the process. I can help you identify relevant digitized local histories and analyze the information found.
- Research Services: For those who prefer to outsource their research, I offer professional genealogical research services. I can conduct in-depth research, including the use of local histories, as well as other relevant sources to uncover valuable information about your ancestors.
