Rockland Room

September, a glorious time to enjoy the tail-end of summer, is also an invitation to the wonders of fall. Apples, warm sweaters, and falling leaves bring fond memories of childhood past. But did you know it is also National Library Card Sign-Up Month?  Those of you reading this already know of all the benefits of having this small card. It opens the door to rooms of wonder, enjoyment and education.

However, there are many out there who haven't made this discovery. Why not share this special card with friends and family? It is one of the best values for your money and certainly a great gift to give to others. Make a connection today and invite someone to come into New City Library for their free card. While you're at it, come in and check out materials too. And thanks for supporting the library.

I found a new site, Digital Archives of Norway, that might be of help to genealogists and researchers. This site is continuing to grow with added information. At no fee, you can look at several censuses, parish records, photos of farm and tutorials on Norwegian research. It was chosen by the current Internet Genealogy as one of the "130 Best Genealogy Websites". Don't be turned off as initially it is in Dutch but there is an option for English translation.

                                       http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/

One of the best historical events for the money is the annual Conference on New York State History presented by the New York State Historical Association and in partnership with the New York Archiives Partnership Trust. This lesser known event is a must if you love New York history. Presenters from around the country congregate and for two and a half days you are immersed with topics ranging from newspaper businesses in New York City to the Eriie Canal to the lace industry of the Oneida Indians. There are three programs at each time slot starting in the mornings and ending by late afternoon.

The 31st conference will be held at Ithaca College, June 3 -5. Go to the website, nysha.org for further information and the registration form. There are accommodations at the college as well as nearby hotels. Where else can you pay an $85 registration fee and come home with so much information?!! Try it, you will love it.

Governors Island: The Jewel  of New York Harbor is one of the many books available in the Rockland Room that focuses on New York City history.  This beautiful book blends a sense of nostalgia with twenty-first-century amenities. The author has included rarely-viewed photos, blueprints, architectural plans and interviews with former residents. Located in the New York Harbor, Governors Island was a British fort in the 1700's and then played a long-standing role as a station for the U.S. Army and the Coast Guard. The island also offers a vivid reflection of historic events in New York City and the world at large. Stop in at the Rockland Room and have a look in the new book section for this fascinating book.

It should be mentioned that there is a new library non-fiction book discussion group, Facts, that has been focusing on books about the Hudson Valley and Manhattan. The May selection was Manhattan: My Downtown by Pete Hamill and the June selection is The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell  by Mark Kurlansky. The group meets the second Wednesday of the month at 1PM. All interested persons are invited.

The answer to the Trivia Question of January 21 is Lady Smuggler, Molly Sneden. Molly and her husband came to Rockland around 1745, and to support his living as a farmer, Molly operated a ferry service across the river to Dobbs Ferry. Their first home, portions of which date back to 1719, was a stone house near the river. During the Revolution, the Snedens sided with the British and refused to sign the Orangetown Resolutions. For this, they were forbidden to operate the ferry or any other boat on the river. Molly continued to ferry British soldiers across.