NYG&B Gives Away Its Library

As reported in this newsletter in recent months, the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society has been dissolving itself. The society first "fired" all its members, telling them they were no longer members at all. The only remaining "members" of the society are the Board of Directors, a maximum of 15 people. The Society sold its four-story building on East 58th Street in Midtown Manhattan last year for $24 million. (The building has since been re-listed by the new owners with an asking price of $33 million.)  Now the society has donated its library of 75,000 volumes, 30,000 manuscripts, and 22,000 reels of microfilm to the New York Public Library.

The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society did purchase an office condominium in Midtown, where it will now focus on grant-giving, tours, lectures and other means of encouraging genealogical research. One of the first grants was about $1 million to the library for a four-person staff to process and catalog the G & B collection within two years.

Merging the collections will create what Waddell W. Stillman, the society’s chairman, described as “one of the world’s largest and most accessible genealogical libraries.”

Society President William P. Johns is quoted as saying that the society hopes to evolve into more of an umbrella group to encourage and coordinate research.

You can read more about the transfer of the society's library in the New York Times at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/19/books/19reco.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin.

NOTE: The New York Times often removes articles within a few days. The article is available as I write these words but may disappear soon.

For background information, see my earlier articles at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2007/07/nygb-implodes.html,  http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2007/07/nygb-proposes-t.html and at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2008/06/nygb-building-f.html.

Comments

[Harold Henderson]

Thanks for the news. As one of the fired members, this was the first I heard about the library. No wonder the New England Historical and Genealogical Society is moving so aggressively, and successfully, into New York research. Genealogy abhors a vacuum!

[Duped in Dutchess]

Needless to say - none of this was handled in an upfront manner - those involved in this hostile takeover knew if they were upfront with their plans - their agenda would not be fullfilled - from visiting their website - this former member believes the deception continues - and cares not to be sheltered by the NYGB umbrella organization nor to support its activities.

The NYGB IRS 990 tax returns can be found on line at the link below - the latest being 2006 - Future returns should be interesting - NYGB has sounded its own death nell - they should hold the funeral now.

The New York Public Library's most recent gift is begrudged them by the fired members and former members of NYGB.

http://tinyurl.com/626odv

[Towngenie]

I hope NEHGS can get more NY reocords from this. I'm sorry for all who are losing membership in what sounds shady to me, too, but I have no way to get to NY to look into libraries, other than internet and my NEHGS membership. I most sincerely hope NEHGS can get access to more records for us.

[Edward Truslow]

It is difficult for me to figure out why I, or anyone else, would want to remain a member of the NYG&B.

[Bill]

I wonder how much of the $25 Million will wind up in the Board Members pockets???

[Gerald Eberwein]

I'm not sure that the recent move by the NEHGS to add New York (the first move outside the 'hallowed ground of New England) into their realm was motivated by this. There is a huge area of Upstate and beyond that was populated and pioneered by folks from New England. In my explorations of NYG&BS they made it clear their main interest was on the 'downstate' (my term) region around New York City. Their disinterest about those from the wilderness area did much to continue the vacuum.

Many branches of early New England families moved to this northern region and virtually disppeared. In the NEHGS library and records there is ample information on them until they moved to the "Indian Territory" of New York; better known as the original Ontario County.

It seems that once someone moved west of the Hudson River they went into a black hole. The records and information are there; but, like the ancestors, is well hidden. A few of the big families like Bingham, Chaffee, Clark, Ford, Metcalf, Tenney, Torry, Watkins, Whitney etc., who hired their work done, filled the void a little. But, there is nothing like the vast NEHGS resource library to pull it together, so to speak.

I suspect there were lots like me, whose families are well rooted in early New England and, once gone from there, seemingly, are forgotten by that community. NEHGS has taken the step to expand the ability to continue the research of New England families after they crossed the line.

This broadening of NEHGS horizons happened shortly after an Executive Director retired and a new one came on board. For over 150 years the society did little to accommodate those whose families had fanned out across the nation. The single largest area New Englanders migrated to was far upstate New York. So, it makes sense that would become the first focal point of any expansion effort.

[Sholom]

Can someone explain what's going on here? Yes, I've read some details about the kicking out of all the members, the selling of the bldg, etc., but can someone draw a "big picture" for me about what's happened?

Thanks,

[Nancy]

Hi.
What are the advantages of joining an organization that seems to be going belly up???

[Christine]

Okay, sleaziness aside, are we going to benefit from this decsion no that N.Y. Public Library has its holdings? Or will the Library sit on the documents before doing anything with them? Just wondering...~Christine in NV.

[stoeckle]

I'm confused. What does giving the collection to the New York Public Library have to do with NEHGS? I didn't see anything about that in the article. Are some records going to go to Boston?

[AGWilderman]

I was once a member of this society. It was a wonderful place to explore. It saddens me to think that a few people could do this to their members and other researchers. Their members should have all been involved with the decision to make this drastic change. Did their membership and financial resources fall so low that they couldn't sustain the organization and its building anymore?

[Anne Peterson]

As someone with family rooted in New England, Upstate New York and Manhattan area, I have been following this through your posts. Thank you for keeping everyone up to speed on this.

The whole initiative by the NYGandB Society seems much like some of the horse racing tracks that miraculously turn into real estate ventures through the decision of a small closed board.

Seems incongruous that this would happen within the friendly confines of genealogy -- or does it?

[Alexa]

Well, their website is still up and asking for new members. What gives? Everything seems to be working normally.

There is a notice dated May 13th stating the library is closing June 1st and they have no idea where the holdings will eventually be housed. Nice.

Unbelievable.

[jennifer]

It appears that nobody is home at NYG&B. The society seems to be out of business. Apparently there is no one left to change the web site or else they don't care. Or both.