Commentary About NYG&B and Other Genealogy Libraries

I have been watching the developments at the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYG&B) for more than a year now, as have hundreds or perhaps thousands of other interested genealogists. It is a sad spectacle to watch a major, mainstream society dissolve into almost nothing. A number of thoughts pop to mind, and I decided to share some of them here.

First of all, I'll ignore the legalities as I am no lawyer. There are claims being made about the method in which the NYG&B's downsizing and sale of assets has been handled. That's not my area of expertise and I will ignore all such discussion. I hope someone else with legal expertise does write about that.

Next, while I am saddened to see a major genealogy library go out of existence, I don't think any of us should be too surprised. In fact, this is not the first or second or third time that a genealogy library has folded. It is a sign of the times. Many such libraries face economic realities and find that they can no longer continue in the same manner of operation they have used for years.

Up to this year, perhaps the best-known library closing was the 2001 decision by the National Genealogical Society to transfer its library in Arlington, Virginia, to the St. Louis County Public Library in Missouri and to continue all lending privileges from there. (Some reference works, rare books, and the manuscript collection remained at NGS headquarters.)

Next, in 2005 and 2006, the New England Historic Genealogical Society's closed its lending library. This was only the "lend books by mail" operation housed in Framingham, Massachusetts. The main library that we all know and love on Newbury Street in Boston remains open and appears to be financially sound.

NOTE I was very familiar with the decision to close the NEHGS lending library; I was an employee of the Society at that time and participated in many of the planning meetings. A tiny fraction of the society's members used the lending library. Nobody liked the idea of closing the lending library but the financial losses were obvious and were also growing yearly. Inaction at that time would have had dire financial consequences in later years. The decision was made to cut the losses and redirect the money to other projects that produced greater benefit to the entire membership.

Other genealogy libraries across the nation are facing similar problems: rising costs, lower patronage, and much more "competition." That competition might be direct competition from the Internet, or it may be in the form of indirect competition from the demands on the time of would-be genealogy researchers. In our society's focus on leisure time, we find many demands for our non-working hours. A day at the library may or may not be at the top of the list for many Americans.

Finally, ever escalating gasoline prices and even parking fees make it expensive to use many genealogy libraries. Commuting to New York City is expensive, whether by private automobile or by public transportation. Have you ever paid for parking at any location near the former NYG&B headquarters? For those who wish to use a library in almost any major city, these fees are included in the cost of spending a day at the library. Some libraries charge an admission fee for access to their holdings; these fees are typically minor compared to the expenses of travel and parking.

The recent problems faced by the Board of Directors of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society are quite similar to the problems faced earlier by NGS and NEHGS: costs continued to escalate, and library usage (and revenue) was not keeping pace. This is a situation that cannot exist forever; action is necessary. The wiser managers of such libraries will take action BEFORE the financial consequences force them into bankruptcy.

We can all second-guess the NYG&B Board of Directors: maybe they should have done this or perhaps they should have done that. Monday-morning quarterbacking is easy, but the Board didn't have that luxury. They had to find a solution first, and then act on whatever plan they created. They elected to close the library, sell the building, and transfer the library's holdings to an institution that will probably last longer and will offer greater and easier public access than what the society could ever envision by itself.

Was this the best possible decision? I don't know. But I have received many e-mail messages in the past year or so concerning the NYG&B, and I must say that I have not yet read a better plan. Many people are quick to criticize, but few are willing to step in, and and say, "I'll help."

Right or wrong, the Board of Directors made a plan and acted on it. The library's holdings will be available to the public, apparently in a manner that guarantees better access than ever before. The NYPL (the New York Public Library) is open more hours per week than was NYG&B. Those holdings will also be available free of charge although travel and parking fees will remain roughly the same as before.

What will be missing in the future is the ambiance. The feeling of belonging to an "exclusive club" will no longer be available. Patrons will not be able to walk into a quiet, oak-paneled reading room and be surrounded by oil paintings of long-dead club founders. Indeed, patrons will have to sit in public reading rooms at a major public library, perhaps surrounded by non-genealogists and the various derelicts sometimes found in public library reading rooms.

The decision has been made, and the action plan is underway. There will be second guessing by many former members and others. The online moaning and groaning on newsgroup message boards and perhaps in this newsletter's Comments Sections will be loud. However, I'm betting that no one will be able to create a better (financially sound) plan.

The recent problems and plans at the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society are similar to the year 2001 problems and plans at the National Genealogical Society. There are also some similarities to the 2005/2006 problems and plans at the New England Historic Genealogical Society. I suspect we will read of similar problems and perhaps similar plans at other privately-endowed genealogy libraries in the future.

Let's pause for a moment and think about a nearby genealogy library that you use. I'll ignore public libraries that are funded by taxpayers' dollars. They have their own financial issues that are quite different. I'll also ignore the libraries that are funded by religious organizations, such as the Family History Library in Salt Lake City or the BYU library in Provo, Utah.

Let's focus for a bit on privately-endowed libraries that serve genealogists: the Godfrey Memorial Library in Middletown, Connecticut; the New England Historic Genealogical Society's library in Boston, Massachusetts, the Peabody Essex Museum's library in Salem, Massachusetts, the D.A.R. Library in Washington, DC, or any of several dozen other libraries owned by genealogy societies or historical societies or museums. Will they survive in the future? SHOULD they survive?

The reality is that the cost of accessing physical books is rapidly increasing while the cost of accessing the same books online is quickly decreasing. Tens of thousands of genealogy books have already been scanned and are available online today at no charge on Google or at the Lee Library at BYU (see my earlier article at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2005/11/byu_family_hist.html) or for free or modest charges at HeritageQuest Online. Manuscripts, books, and much more are available for free on FamilySearch.org and at reasonable fees from Footnote.com, Ancestry.com, and hundreds of other, smaller web sites. The Mormon Church is already hard at work on a huge project to convert all their microfilms to digital images.

Question: Do we (the genealogists) really want to spend $4.00+ per gallon of gas plus more for parking to look at genealogy books and manuscripts in person? Can we afford to do that if we live hundreds or thousands of miles away from the one library that holds the information we seek? Doesn't it make financial sense to take the money formerly earmarked to keep private genealogy libraries in operation and instead divert that money to scanning project that will place the same information online at no cost or low cost to everyone? That's "everyone," including those who live 3,000 miles away from the particular library in question. That access does not need to be limited to library hours; online patrons can access those books and manuscripts 24 hours a day.

Oh sure, we will have to do this from home. We cannot sit in high-ceiling reading rooms, surrounded by oil paintings of men dressed in ancient fashions looking down at us. The ambiance certainly will be different. I certainly will miss the genealogy libraries where I have spent so many delightful hours. But I think I will be a better genealogist for the experience and I will better understand my family's heritage.

This will not happen overnight. It will not happen in a year or two. It happened at the National Genealogical Society in 2001. It is happening at NYG&B in 2008. I suspect more privately endowed genealogy libraries will close in the next decade or two. Don't be surprised.

Probably the last such library to close its doors will be the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Sitting on a $20 million+ endowment that is growing, that library's future seems assured for some years to come. Yet, I suspect that even that library will someday have to face the issue that revenue isn't beginning to cover expenses. The books in that library, and all other genealogy books in other libraries that do not have copyright restrictions, should be scanned now and made available to all genealogists at reasonable fees. The same is true for manuscript collections: let's scan them. Once placed online and access requires a modest fee, I bet those libraries will see increasing revenues, not decreasing. Of course, one alternative is to sit back, do nothing, and wait for Google to give the same information away to everyone free of charge!

The Board of Directors at the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society did what they had to do. So did the Board of Directors at the National Genealogical Society. Now I will offer my "Monday morning quarterback" assessment: It strikes me that perhaps the NGS, the NYG&B, and others should have digitized those books before giving them away.

I believe that libraries of the future will remain in business for many years on the web, if not in a "bricks and mortar" environment. I also believe that these future genealogy libraries will derive more revenue from distant online patrons than they ever could obtain from those able to walk in the front door.

I'll gladly pay a dollar or two to read a book online instead of paying $4.00 a gallon or more for gas plus parking fees to drive to a distant library. Will you?

Comments

[Tricia]

You make incredibly good points which I hope every private genealogical library is now considering. I hope that those upset by the way things were handled at NYG&B can try to be thankful that the collection was kept together and is still publicly available.

[alan]

Your logic on the future of libraries with crumbling genealogy books is impeccable. The NYGBS issue (like a lot of things in NY!) is more a matter of attitude. The announcement was made last Saturday. On Friday the "former members" had received their e-mail bulletins from NYGBS which contained not a clue about the final solution.

[Diane]

Yesterday, I performed my regular volunteer service in the library of my local historical society. A young patron, a college student, wanted to know why she couldn't photograph the records she wanted copies of - she could do it at the state and city libraries. She also wanted to know why our copies are .25 cents when she pays only .09 cents at the state and city libraries. I made the same points to her that Dick made: taxpayer dollars go a long way in keeping consumer prices down.

I have to wonder how long we will exist as an independent entity.

[Nancy Pexa]

I do not believe the NSDAR Library will ever close. It is dear to the heart of the membership. It is akin to one of the columns outside the building - strong - and standing tall. The collection in unlike any other library collection - a many-faceted resource for DAR members and non-members. I see, as a member, the access to various parts of the collection modernizing/changing as we move forward. The NSDAR leadership, and the director director and his staff make it work for all who visit the NSDAR Library. Physical attendance may change but users will still partake of the collection - there are fee-based options for ordering copies, research, etc. Perhaps more researchers will use these options. But I personally believe we will always have the NSDAR Library as a viable part of the DAR.

[Diane]

Yesterday, I performed my regular volunteer service in the library of my local historical society. A young patron, a college student, wanted to know why she couldn't photograph the records she wanted copies of - she could do it at the state and city libraries. She also wanted to know why our copies are .25 cents when she pays only .09 cents at the state and city libraries. I made the same points to her that Dick made: taxpayer dollars go a long way in keeping consumer prices down.

I have to wonder how long we will exist as an independent entity.

[Diane]

Yesterday, I performed my regular volunteer service in the library of my local historical society. A young patron, a college student, wanted to know why she couldn't photograph the records she wanted copies of - she could do it at the state and city libraries. She also wanted to know why our copies are .25 cents when she pays only .09 cents at the state and city libraries. I made the same points to her that Dick made: taxpayer dollars go a long way in keeping consumer prices down.

I have to wonder how long we will exist as an independent entity.

[Barbara]

It is a relief to know that the holdings of the NYB&G Society will be donated to the NY Public Library. However, how long will it take for that library to process this material into their collection? It could be quite awhile before the NYB&G collection is again in circulation.

[Duncan Ness]

Yesterday was my volunteer day at a local genealogical library (a branch of the Maine Genealogical Society). My task of the day was sorting and filing a mountain of miscellaneous research findings. there are many hidden answers and clues therein and all this will be available to the public that comes in. Yes, it is true that the Big Books are available on line as well as a lot of unsourced or poorly sourced research trees. But I suspect that serious researchers will always want to get into these "back corners".

[Drew Bartley, Genealogist, editor of Mayflower Descendant and Vermont Genealogy]

I am not afraid of the electronic world aiding genealogy. While I maintain a large reference library at home which I use daily, I also have electronic versions of material I do not own. Is it helpful? Yes. Does it replace a library? No.

I do not know how many times I have discovered new things I have later found of use seeing them in the library while I get what I need. There is some of that on the internet, but my experience has never been the same. If you could put an interactive bot online that was intuitive and knowledgeable like some of the librarians at the better genealogical libraries, then perhaps you could get rid of them. I do not see that. I do not get into NEHGS often enough these days, but the exchange of data through interaction with a librarian is of great value

When I am working on a project and need several references at the ready, it is the open books I have that I use over the electronic for every time. Flipping screens and between pages on each screen is not as easy as doing with the books. Others may argue differently, but I do it as a business and work this way every day. Both means are at my disposal and I do the method that works most efficiently for my clients. The books win hands down every time no matter how you cut it.

It will be a sad day for genealogists when the last library closes. Sure you can get the material at home in your bunny slippers. The problem is that many will not know what to do with the data when they have it. There will be no one to ask -- we sent them to the unemployment line!

[Pat]

It would be very helpful if Dick could start a list of the private genealogical libraries and their locations. Many potential users may not even be aware of one near them.

[Susi Pentico]

San Diego Genealogy Society has a private library. It is very expensive to operate but we feel worth it. I am a member and use it not as often as I would like due to distance. Nothing on their part for not available. Because it is a private library access for a non member is only on certain days that a librarian is available.

Chula Vista Genealogy Society has a library within the Chula Vista Library system at the main branch. We expand our library on a constant basis. It is also available the same hours as the library is open.
No books can be checked out of either library. Chula Vista is open to the public.
The Chula Vista Library does have a genealogical section that does have many books that can be checked out.
Susi Pentico

[Richard Grover]

The comments about cost of gas & parking are only part of the overall logic to digitize and place on line. I have enjoyed libraries in Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, & Idaho in the past but my deterioriated health won't permit me to travel the long distances anymore. Books also deteriorate over time no matter how well they are cared for. Online access opens up easier methods to identify and access sources of information, and we really do need to find ways to cut the use of oil/gasoline.

[David G. Ball]

I am one of those "serious" New England researchers (I'm compiler of The New England Ball Project one-name study) that lives on the west coast of Canada and for me travel to any of the large libraries is prohibitively expensive. I am a member of NEHGS solely for the internet access to their vital records database; I even have a complete set of the pre-1850 vital records on CDs, but need the indexing capability from NEHGS. On several occasions I have commented to the staff of NEHGS that their membership fees of $75 a year are TOO CHEAP and that they should double that amount and use the funds to get more primary data available on-line to members, because that is what it will take to get non-New England members. Books with family trees are nice, but it is access to primary data...vital records, land records, probate records, church records, cemetery records, etc., etc.....that the real research is built upon. I was SO DISAPPOINTED when Ancestry.com devoted huge resources to index the 1901 and 1911 Canadian censuses that were already on-line for free, when there were lots of other Canadian censuses that are still unindexed (I know the 1881 is indexed by LDS, but the images are not linked). If we want to get some improvement in the quality of the trees posted on-line, then getting primary records on-line has got to help. Look at the number of people putting trees on the social genealogy sites and wonder how few of them have ever stepped foot into a major genealogy library. I love the ambiance of a major library, but I don't live near any. My only access is on-line.

[Darlene Scotti-Tribou]

I must agree with the posting by Drew Bartley. Online access to a library's genealogical holdings does not include the important benefit of consulting seasoned librarians who can guide patrons towards better, more accurate genealogical research methods. Quality of service is definitely being sacrificed for ease of availabilty.

Imagine that our "bricks and mortar" schools closed, and only the course books and materials were placed online: How many novices would actually succeed in becoming "well-educated" by only sitting at their computers and never stepping into the field?

[Della]

". . . . Look at the number of people putting trees on the social genealogy sites and wonder how few of them have ever stepped foot into a major genealogy library." -Thanks, David -excellent point!

What good is a "tree" with branches, twigs, and even leaves of unknown variety or species merely attached to the trunk, etc. with chewing gum, baling wire, or good old duct tape. Formerly, in the secretarial world, it was "garbage in; garbage out;" Now-a-days in the Internet forest, it's "garbage down; garbage up." Yet, do the downloaders and uploaders even question the so-called trees they have created (or borrowed) "all by themselves?" Ask one of them; they are so proud of their undocumented heritage! Oh, yes, and if they can find and attach a "family crest" to their tree, so much the better!

[Ted Rice]

Many genealogy libraries have not allowed their books to be scanned or photographed because it would "damage the books". But does it do more damage to scan them once or to handle them continually? Many of the older books are literally falling apart. Once scanned, the actual books would seldom have to be opened again as unlimited digital copies can be made.

The cost of travel is going to make it essential for libraries to go online, whether they charge an annual subscription fee or a per copy fee to users.

[Ted Rice]

>I must agree with the posting by Drew Bartley. Online access to a >library's genealogical holdings does not include the important >benefit of consulting seasoned librarians who can guide patrons >towards better, more accurate genealogical research methods. >Quality of service is definitely being sacrificed for ease of >availabilty.

>Imagine that our "bricks and mortar" schools closed, and only the >course books and materials were placed online: How many novices >would actually succeed in becoming "well-educated" by only sitting >at their computers and never stepping into the field?

Sorry to tell you this, but educators are seriously considering this option, at least for part of the school week, because of the high cost of busing.

The teachers would communicate with the students online - librarians can also do the same, by email or voice, using the internet.

It does cut down on personal contact, which is a loss, but our society is already moving in this direction. Colleges are increasingly moving to internet courses.

[Dick Eastman]

---> "...but the exchange of data through interaction with a librarian is of great value"

Agreed. But who says that librarians are prohibited from the online environment? Can't an in-home user still consult with a skilled librarian? I admit that doesn't happen often with today's technology but that is easily changed.

The State of Ohio has an online "Ask a Librarian" feature that works well. The New England Historic Genealogical Society has an "online genealogist" who is quick to answer questions and to offer advice. Why can't ALL genealogy libraries offer something similar? Especially when they can charge for the service or else use it as a method of promoting online access to that library's books for a fee?

Food for thought...

- Dick Eastman

[Rick Breithaupt]

Among the fine genealogical libraries in the Los Angeles area is the American Heritage Library and Museum in Glendale, CA. Operated since 1893 by the Sons of the Revolution, its 30,000 volume Library is open to the public free of charge two to four days a week. It, too, has experienced the ebb and flow of patronage. The growth of Internet genealogical resources is a boon to the hobby, as is online access to books. We're finding more patrons arrive having completed some research online, and their visit is to explore the shelves (a much more difficult task online) seeking new sources, and for the opportunity to work with, or obtain assistance from, fellow patrons or experienced staff, as Duncan writes above. Another reason is to use references not available online, such as the thousands of titles we discovered were unique to our Library when working with OCLC to create and publish a catalog of holdings, also accessible through OCLC at public libraries worldwide. This has increased inquiries are requests for copies, which we are happy to provide for a reasonable fee. While the Internet is fast becoming a major thoroughfare on the genealogical journey, a library with a unique collection can still be a important stopping point along the way. When it also has a museum element, like the DAR Library, this further broadens its appeal. While it is a blessing that the wonderful collection of the NYB&G will one day again be available for use, this former member doubts it will ever be fully digitized or available online. A visit is the only way to consult unique or original works not digitized online. The challenge for those with institutional oversight responsibility is to find and balance, for their specific set of circumstances, the best way to adapt to the changing environment. The decisions made, rightly or wrongly, are as unique as the institutions, and may not portend the best solution for all. see: http://www.srcalifornia.com

[Bette Butcher Topp]

Great and deeply explained article, Dick. I think you covered all the bases and I felt it was a very educational article. I believe it is all called progress, whether we like it all or not.
Thank you -
Bette Butcher Topp

[Mike St. Clair]

Like most genealogists, I'm thrilled when I find a resource that is of value to me that has been digitized, indexed, and made available online. And I'm even more thrilled when I find that I can access this through a source that doesn't cost me. But one concern I have with this new pattern Dick has recognized of libraries going out of business because they can't financially sustain themselves has to do not with the “big” libraries, but with the very small ones.

Some of my most successful research experiences have occurred because of a visit to a very small library. When I am lucky enough to find the time and financial resources to make an actual on-site research visit, I try to make the best of it. That starts with determining:
- What records I can access online (either for free or through one of the subscription services I use)
- What records are available close at hand, such as at the Salt Lake Family History Library, or the Brigham Young University library (I live about half way in between these two)
- What records I have already searched for the locality being visited
- What archives and libraries exist within the area I am visiting

More often than not, I find much of value at the small libraries in the communities within my research target area. It's very common for these little libraries to have a small local history room, or a few shelves, or a nook, which contains some locally significant genealogical resources. It's not unusual to find there manuscript materials that exist no where else in the world that is accessible to the public. Hopefully, these small libraries (generally public in nature, but sometimes belonging to a small local society) will not find themselves in the financial hot water that some of the larger libraries have gotten into. But I have major concerns that the digitization which is becoming more common is going to totally bypass these small but valuable collections that are distributed in thousands of locations; locations that are seldom visited by the genealogist who is become more glued every day to their computer and the Internet.

[Nelda Percival]

You points are excellent. One point I'd include, public libraries destry books whose backs are broken or are falling apart. Working as a page in a Florida public library, I've seen it happen. Please see that your books are digitised. Some are so individualised there may only be one copy, to lose these would be a crime.

Would I volunteer to scan books? Yes, I could then put it on CD and send the copy back to who ever sent it.

Most of us could scan a book or two for what ever genealogical library is close to you. keep a CD and give them back the book and a CD of the book.

Nelda Percival
nelda_percival@hotmail.com

[Roger Hanneman]

I appreciate this article and commentary about the challenges facing societies and their libraries. As a board member of a genealogical society I know we are aware of the trends and difficulties that we face. Our society has been making changes to meet the needs and expectations of the public.

This commentary has given me some new ideas and increased my awareness and motivation.

Thank You.

[Linda]

Economy of scale is alive and well!

[Dino (All Dino, All The Time)]

Dick,

I can only imagine the horror of having to sit in a library surrounded by non-genealogists and vagrants.

As the nephew of a person who many would view as a vagrant, I would ask you to try to look past appearance. My uncle was a very intelligent man who chose to live in what many consider a 'bad' part of Detroit and work the mentally disadvantaged. If he was luck, he lived at the poverty level. One of his few pleasures was to go to the Wayne State UNiversity, where he graduated from, to read. He finally had to start carrying his diploma with him when he went to their library to read so they would stop trying to kick him out.

As for the situation in NY, now that the scoiety has no members, building or library, perhaps the board should take all of the remaining money and establish some sort of foundation that would grant funds to other libraries, societies and researchers who are doing work worthy of continued funding.

[Helen Ullmann]

Dick made a very important point in passing. He mentioned books under copyright. How many of them are apt to be on the Internet? The most recent research, often superseding and correcting older books that are online, is apt to only be available in libraries or by purchase. One reason for proliferation of errors is that people rely on old outdated information. Many of our articles in the NEHG REGISTER (which actually are online), other genealogical journals which are not online, and many new genealogy books correct old errors in print. Think about it!

[DupedInDutchess]

LATEST NEWS from the NYG&B Society

----- Original Message -----
From: NYGBSociety
To: NYGBSociety
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 4:25 PM
Subject: Latest News from the NYG&B Society - July 21, 2008 - Special Edition

NEWS FROM THE NYG&B SOCIETY - July 21, 2008 - Special edition
The big question on the minds of NYG&B members for the past several months has been, "Where is the collection going and how soon will it be accessible again?" We are now able to share the good news with you. We are very pleased to announce it will be going to the New York Public Library to be incorporated with the wonderful genealogical and manuscripts collections already housed there.

Although the transfer of the collection will take some time—it will take up to two years for the G&B collection to be fully accessible at NYPL—the end result will benefit all genealogists. Our entire collection will be accessible on-line through NYPL's database. Offering our catalog on-line had been a long-time goal of the G&B, but the resources necessary to carry out this project always seemed beyond reach. Now through our partnership with NYPL, this dream will finally be achieved. Having our catalog available, just a couple clicks away, through the web will be a boon to our out-of-area members who may not have been able to get to our library often, or at all, to discover what resources we had for them.

Additionally, our new offices will be in close proximity to the NYPL. Instead of a ride in a very slow elevator, the collection will now be just a short walk away. Several of our long-time staff members, all of whom have an excellent grasp of the collection and its value, will continue with the G&B, sharing their knowledge and experience with our membership.

We are committed to our extraordinary collection of books, manuscripts, microfilm, microfiche, maps, etc., and will continue to accept pertinent donations, so please remember the NYG&B when you want to make your unique research available to the wider genealogical community.

Our partnership with NYPL does not end with the transfer of our collection from our library to theirs. We are also committed to join forces to provide top-notch educational programming, as the G&B has in the past, but now with the added benefit of the NYPL's wonderful resources, personnel, and venues. This partnership marks a wonderful, and very exciting beginning for the "new" NYG&B.

Some of you may have seen the article The New York Times published regarding this arrangement on Saturday, July 19, 2008. It contained a factual error in that our Portrait Collection has not been offered to the New-York Historical Society, nor have there been any negotiations with them regarding this collection. Also, although the article did note that the G&B will focus on " . . . grant-giving, tours, lectures, and other means of encouraging genealogical research . . . ," it neglected to mention the commitment the G&B has made to providing first rate educational programs with the added support and input of the NYPL staff.

For your convenience here is the link to the full Times article at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/19/books/19reco.html

The following press release is being issued jointly today by the NYG&B and the NYPL:

New York Genealogical and Biographical Society Contributes
Its 75,000-Volume Collection to the New York Public Library

Step to Create One of the World's Largest, Most Accessible Genealogical Libraries: A Singular Resource for Researchers of New York Family History

NEW YORK, NY, July 21, 2008 -The New York Public Library (NYPL) and the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (the G&B) announced jointly today that the New York Public Library will become the new home of the G&B Society's library of 75,000 published works, 30,000 manuscripts, 22,000 microforms, 1,300 periodicals and digital computer media. Among the materials are 16th and 17th century land records; transcriptions of New York baptismal and marriage records; personal diaries and letters; and census data from as early as the 18th century. Joining the Library's rich and heavily used genealogical and manuscript collections, the merged materials of the NYPL and the G&B will create an unparalleled, publicly accessible resource for those conducting genealogical research. The NYPL and the G&B will co-sponsor educational programs, create links to each other's websites, and collaborate in various ways to make this invaluable resource available to the public.

"Combining the two collections will result in an extraordinary resource for people nationwide seeking to learn about family members who were born in New York, lived in New York, or passed through New York on the way to becoming citizens," said David Ferriero, the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the New York Public Libraries. "The G&B collection's great strength lies in its holdings for the 17th to 18th centuries with emphasis on the Dutch and English. The NYPL genealogical collections are strongest for the 19th to 20th centuries and embrace many different ethnic groups."

"New York is the historic center of U.S. immigration. Together, two venerable New York institutions will create one of the world's largest and most accessible genealogical libraries. As a result of this contribution, the wealth of genealogical resources in the G&B's unique collection, integrated with the NYPL's incomparable holdings, will within two years be fully accessible to anyone conducting research in this area," said G&B Chairman Waddell W. Stillman.

The G & B's collections will become part of the Library's Manuscripts and Archives Division and its Irma and Paul Milstein Division of United States History, Local History, and Genealogy. The Manuscripts and Archives Division holds approximately 29,000 linear feet of archival material, with its greatest strengths in the papers of individuals, families, and organizations, primarily in the New York region, from the 18th through 20th centuries. The Milstein Division is one of the nation's largest publicly accessible collections of genealogical materials and includes hundreds of thousands of books, serials, photographs, microforms, and ephemeral materials in addition to offering free access to a wide range of tools for electronic research.

Last July, the G&B announced the sale of its East 58th Street building and reported that it would be moving its headquarters and library to new locations. Simultaneously, the G&B announced preliminary plans for the restructuring and enhancement of its service offerings and its membership program. Its goal is to transform a 19th century members-only genealogical society founded in 1869 into a 21st century resource for education, research and scholarship serving increasingly Internet-reliant users interested in New York.

"Once we decided to sell our building and move the library to a new location, 'stewardship' and 'accessibility' became the most important words in our vocabulary," Mr. Stillman continued. "We sought the strongest possible partner - an organization that would value the G&B collection highly because it significantly complements its own and that would make the G&B library broadly available to researchers worldwide. Equally important, it had to have the professional staff and resources to appropriately house, catalogue, and properly conserve the collection. The NYPL has precisely those resources and a collection that fits extremely well with ours." The G&B's library on 58th Street closed June 1st, and its books, manuscripts, and other media are being readied to be moved to the NYPL starting in August.

An Overview of the G&B Collection
The holdings in the G&B Library encompass four centuries of American history, from the colonial period to the present day. While the geographic focus of much of the G&B Library's content is New York and other northeastern states, the Society also collects material relating to all 50 states and many other countries. Materials are acquired through purchases, donations and bequests.

Since the founding of the G&B in 1869, its archives have become one of the principal genealogical reference libraries for genealogists and historians interested in researching 17th and 18th century family history in New York State. The vast extent of its collection allows researchers to gather material from many sources.

Published Works
The Society's Library contains over 75,000 volumes of published works. It includes more than 11,000 family genealogies; U.S., state, and local histories; genealogy and historical periodicals; monographs, reference materials and indexes to genealogical, historical, and biographical books and periodicals.

Manuscript Collection
The Society's Library houses a rare collection of 30,000 unpublished and unique items ranging from an early Colonial land deed dated 1596 to research notes on  20th century families. Among the archives are:

Transcriptions of New York church baptismal and marriage records
Cemetery records
Genealogical charts and family trees
Antique maps
Personal diaries and letters
Vital records from family Bibles
The compiled notes of prominent genealogists and historians
Records from lineage and heraldic societies
Microform Titles
The Library has a wide variety of microfiche titles and over 22,000 rolls of information on microfilm. This is a utility archive and is frequently accessed by researchers. Among its contents are:

New York federal census records 1790-1920 and indexes
New York state census records of 1825-1925
New York City; 1890 police census
Land records including Kings, New York, Queens, and Richmond counties: 17th to 19th century indexes and 17th to 18th century deeds, mortgages and patents.
17th to 19th century Probate records
Church and cemetery records from many New York counties, towns and villages
New York City vital records indexes
Court and civil records of New Amsterdam and early New York City
Categories of the Society's Library's holdings rendered into electronic media so far include:

Marriage and death indexes
Church and military records
Vital records
Periodical indexes
Wills, including abstracts for New York, 1665-1801
New York Public Library Strengths in Genealogy and Local History

The NYPL is committed to creating a leading online presence and making its collections accessible electronically as part of a global information network. Through technology it will expand the reach of its physical collections beyond the walls of the Library.
Local history and genealogy and the building of manuscript and archival collections that document New York State history and important New York families have been core to the NYPL mission since the Library was founded in 1895. The Library continues to actively develop these areas of its collection.
The Library's Manuscripts and Archives Division holds several collections of particular interest to genealogical researchers, such as the Emigrant Savings Bank Records, which extensively documents Irish families in New York, and the Methodist Episcopal Church records. The Division also holds the papers of several notable New York City and State families, such as the Schuyler family papers, Gansevoort-Lansing Collection, Constable-Pierrepont papers, Bigelow family papers, and Colles family papers
The Irma and Paul Milstein Division of United States History, Local History and Genealogy's local history collection is national in scope; its genealogy collections are international in scope, including Western Europe, Canada, and South and Central America. Milstein Division book and serial collections number over 325,000 volumes. The Division holds approximately 112,000 original photographs, including the notable Photographic Views of New York City, 1870s-1970s collection. In addition to original photographs the Division has approximately 400,000 postcard views and ephemera collections of brochures, pamphlets, and broadsides documenting U.S. localities.
The NYPL has a dedicated reading room for local history and genealogy. The Milstein Division of U.S. History, Local History & Genealogy is one of the busiest departments in the Library, serving the information needs of over 56,000 onsite users last year. The NYPL also has a dedicated reading room for manuscript and archival materials, and last year the Manuscripts and Archives Division served 1000 different researchers, who made 3000 visits, and consulted 10,312 items (boxes, volumes, cassettes, videos), from 850 different collections.
NYPL subscribes to a vast array of electronic resources invaluable for genealogy research including: Ancestry Library Edition, HeritageQuest Online, Footnote.com, Origins.net, Burke's Peerage, New York State County Histories, America's Historic Newspapers, American Periodicals Online, the U.S. Serial Set, the historical full-text backfiles of the New York Times, New York Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Defender, and the Times of London.
The NYPL Digital Gallery offers over 550,000 images from Library collections, many of them related to U.S. local history. The NYPL is one of the awardee institutions for the National Digital Newspaper Project. NYPL is currently digitizing New York City newspapers for the period 1880-1910, starting with The Sun and The Evening World.
About The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society
The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, popularly known as the "G&B," was founded in 1869. It is the second oldest genealogical society in the United States (after the New England Historic Genealogical Society, founded in 1845), and has continuously published since 1870 the second oldest quarterly scholarly journal in the English-speaking world, The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record. When the G&B was founded, New Yorkers who had the interest and time to trace their roots were those whose lineages stretched back to the colonial period, and the Society for its first hundred years catered almost exclusively to that population. In the 1970s there were the first signs of change. The 19th century was now more distant than the 18th had been in 1869, and there was increasing interest in its records, which were also now becoming more accessible. Descendants of 19th century immigrants, and Americans of African descent, discovered that they too enjoyed genealogy. The telecast based on Alex Haley's book Roots, the 1976 Bicentennial, and the opening of Ellis Island sparked new interest. Genealogy and interest in historical biography have expanded in recent years with Americans' increasing mobility, leisure time, and the availability of resources on the Internet. The G&B's website is www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org. Today, the G&B's mission is: To advance genealogical scholarship and enhance the capabilities of both new and experienced researchers of family history, with emphasis on families and communities connected to New York City, State, and region.

About The New York Public Library
The New York Public Library was created in 1895 with the consolidation of the private libraries of John Jacob Astor and James Lenox with Samuel Jones Tilden Trust. The Library provides free open access to its physical and electronic collections and information, as well as to its services. It comprises four research centers - the Humanities and Social Science Library; The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts; the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture; and the Science, Industry and Business Library - and 87 Branch Libraries in Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx. Research and circulating collections combined total more than 50 million items, including materials for the visually impaired. In addition, each year the Library presents thousands of exhibitions and public programs, which include classes in technology, literacy, beginning genealogy classes and English as a second language. The Library serves some 16 million patrons who come through its doors annually and another 25 million users internationally, who access collections and services through the NYPL website, www.nypl.org.

-The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society
http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org

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