Sat, Mar 16
|Zoom (Virtual Event)
“Chautauqua County Poor Farm & the Emigrant Train” by Michelle Henry
When the NY&Erie Railroad opened between NYC and Dunkirk, NY in 1851, daily trainloads of emigrants began arriving, many required financial assistance. Over 60,000 emigrants received County aid in between 1851 and 1876. The records of these families and individuals contain a wealth of information.
Time & Location
Mar 16, 2024, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EDT
Zoom (Virtual Event)
About the event
Presentation Description:
When the NY&Erie Railroad opened between NYC and Dunkirk, NY in 1851, daily trainloads of emigrants began arriving in Dunkirk, many of whom required financial assistance. The county maintained very detailed records of the emigrants in hopes of being reimbursed by the Commissioners of Emigration. Over 60,000 emigrants received aid in Chautauqua County between 1851 and 1876. The records of these families and individuals contain a wealth of valuable information for genealogists.
Speaker Bio: Michelle Henry served as Chautauqua County Historian for 23 years; responsible for creation & management of Chautauqua County Archives for 26 years, focusing on making historical records held by the county more accessible to researchers. Registered NYS Historian. Master's degree in Anthropology & graduate certificate in Museum Studies from Arizona State.