January 1996

About this Issue

Note from the Editors

It's Genealogy classtime again. E. R. "Bim" Van Etten presents his sixth article of a series that began in the 1991 January issue. Bim is a long-time volunteer in the family history section at Steele Memorial Library in Elmira. He often conducts a five session Beginning Genealogy course there. Bim Van Etten lives in Big Flats, New York.

Jeanne Bleiler begins her account of the Lawrence family and the three brothers who built houses early in the 19th century near Lake Cayuta. The last Lawrence who spent time there was Henrietta Richardson Butler. Mrs. Bleiler wrote this article for a winter-term paper in Dr. Herbert A. Wisbey's New York State History class in 1973 at Elmira College. Mrs. Bleiler lives in Odessa, New York.

Richard Palmer tells the story of the building of a railroad between Auburn and Syracuse. The first track was wood, and the cars were pulled by horses. Dick reports that this line which later became a part of the New York Central system and then Conrail has just become a part of the new Finger Lakes Railway. Dick Palmer lives in Tully and is editor of the Camillus Advocate.

This month's chapter from Letters to Suzanna by Barbara Bell tells about all the wildlife, especially the birds in the country close to Seneca Lake. Mrs. Bell is historian for Schuyler County and lives in Irelandville.

An account of the Larison family's Danish origins from 1665, their coming to this country and eventual movement to Pennsylvania and New York. Emma Larison Colwell copied letters about her family into her journal. Derick Van Schoonhoven has researched for more information on the family to add to Mrs. Colwell's record. More will follow about the Updyke side of the family next month. Mr. Van Schoonhoven lives near Corning and is a member of the JoHo's genealogy group.

Next Issue

The January issue will feature new leads that Dave Robinson has found to who may have been the builders of Canisteo Castle. There will another chapter from Barbara Bell's book, more from Emma Colwell's journal, and other stories.

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