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Historic Houses

Are you a Historic House Owner?  If so, please complete an Application Form for historic house status to the best of your ability.  Researching your home’s history should include reviewing old deeds, consulting town and village maps and visiting your local library and using the index to the Cornwall Local. 

To be considered historic, your home should be at least 50 years of age.  It may also be linked to an event in local history or be architecturally significant.

If your home is accepted for historic house status you will be notified by mail or email.  At that time you will be invited to apply for an historic plaque for your house. 


Sincerely,
Jane Harkinson
Historic House Committee

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A new Web site from the National Trust for Historic Preservation will allow owners of historic houses to showcase their residences as a way to promote an appreciation for the diversity of American architecture.
The Cornwall Historical Society encourages local residents to put their homes on the site as www.athomenation.org
as a way to document the architectural and cultural heritage of the Cornwall area.
The home does not have to be on the historical register to join the site and there are no restrictions imposed. It is simply a way to further the mission to preserve our history.

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Genealogy

Genealogy Studies

 

Although we are very interested in the families that have been part of our community and would like to assist those who find they have a relative from the Cornwall  area, we are simply not equipped to assist in family history studies.

Some of our publications may mention families, which in turn may give you a starting point in your search.  However, the best search is done in person in Orange County.  Our Town records may provide insights, second only to the records held in the County Offices in Goshen, NY.

Consider taking a vacation and visiting Cornwall and its surrounds. 

SOURCES FOR INFORMATION ON HOUSE HISTORY IN OUR AREA

1. Orange County Deeds  --   Grantor and Grantee Books, Liber number and page number of most recent transfer on current deed (Previous deeds lead back through Liber numbers).  Found in the Deed Record Room, Orange County Government Building, Goshen, NY

2. Wills  --  Old County Building, Goshen, NY

3. Tax Maps (go back 35 years and are kept updated) --  Found in Old County Building, Goshen, NY (Liber numbers can be obtained here also)

4. Newspaper and Historical Society archives:
    Cornwall Library   --  Cornwall Local
    Orange County Genealogical Society located in the 1841 Court House, Goshen, NY. 
    You will find histories, church records, books, family genealogies, census indexes, Revolutionary war service
    and pension records, computer resources, subject index, etc.

5. Hints:   Check Section Number, Block Number and Lot Number and description of property.  Several transfers from or to the same person may have happened in the same year.
If you are looking for a common surname, the first name column in the grantor or grantee book may be the best place to start
.

 

2011, Cornwall Historical Society