This collection contains histories of Columbia County, New York. These histories provide crucial historical context that can help researchers uncover more records and develop a deeper understanding of their Columbia County ancestors. Information about individuals can be found as well—many of the volumes include biographical sketches, illustrations, lists of county officers, and other details of the people that lived in the county.
Searches entered from this page will query all volumes in the collection. Read below for detailed information on the contents of each volume and links to browse.
History of Columbia County, New York, With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
One primary purpose of this history, according to its authors, is to detail the county’s “gradual development from the original wilderness, and through the maturing stages of its existence.” The book focuses on the narrative history of the county as well as “the privations, the virtues, the piety, patriotism, and enterprise of her people.”
The digital file is text searchable—searches entered from this page will query the full text of the volume. The images can also be browsed by clicking the waypoint links below.
Sections include:
- History of Columbia County, New York
- History of the Towns and Villages of Columbia County
- Ancram | Austerlitz | Canaan | Chatham | Claverack | Clermont | Copake | Gallatin | Germantown | Ghent | Greenport | Hillsdale | Hudson | Kinderhook | Livingston | New Lebanon | Stockport | Stuyvesant | Taghkanic
This book was written and published by Everts & Ensign in 1878.
Civil list of Columbia County and Official Hand-book, 1786–1886
This work contains lists of the names of Columbia County government officials between 1786 and 1886, making it an excellent resource for those researching individuals who held official positions in local government. It also contains histories of several municipalities in the county.
The digital file is text searchable—searches entered from this page will query the full text of the volume. The images can also be browsed by clicking the waypoint links below.
Sections include:
- Columbia County (Organization, Boundaries, Towns, and Villages)
- Ancram | Austerlitz | Canaan | Chatham | Claverack | Clermont | Copake | Gallatin | Germantown | Ghent | Greenport | Hillsdale | Hudson | Kinderhook | Livingston | New Lebanon | Stockport | Stuyvesant | Taghkanic
- County Officers
This book was compiled and published by R.M. Terry and J.W. Prentiss in 1885.
A History of Hillsdale, Columbia County, New York, A Memorabilia of Persons and Things of Interest, Passed and Passing
This volume is a detailed history of Hillsdale, Columbia County, New York. Researchers will find family histories, accounts of early settlers, religious denominations and their founders, and much more.
The digital file is text searchable—searches entered from this page will query the full text of the volume. The images can also be browsed by clicking the waypoint links below.
Sections include:
- History of Hillsdale
- The Huguenots - Immigrate to Avoid Persecution - A Commissioned Officer - Professor Morse
- More Collin Ancestry - The French War - Attack on Fort Ticonderoga - Families of Means
- Hillsdale Rural Cemetery - Religious Denominations and Their Founders - People of Enterprise
- East Hillsdale - Its Early Settlers - Some of their Descendants - Locality of their Residences
- Green River - Harlemville - Hudson Orphan Asylum County Poor House
- A Historical Foundation - Birdsall Family - Hillsdale Centre
- A Family History Desirable - Hillsdale Roads - Commissioners from 1852-1883
- Settlers from Massachusetts and Connecticut - War of 1812 - Characteristics of the People
- Residents of Hillsdale, From Lawrence & Co.'s County Directory, 1880-81
- Early Account of Hillsdale, From the Columbia County Directory of 1871-72
- Biographical Sketches
This book was compiled by John Francis Collin and edited by H.S. Johnson in 1883.
Suggested citations for this collection:
New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, “Columbia County Histories” digital images, New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, (www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org), 2020.