Rensselaer County
African Americans
This page was last updated 27 March 2021
If you have information about African Americans who once lived in Rensselaer County that you would like to contribute to this section, please email Debby Masterson. As you can see, this section is in its infancy. By linking you to AfriGeneas, we do provide those of you just starting out with a very big boost, because AfriGeneas is fantastic! But we need more - much more, and we need it from you who are researching your own African American ancestors as well as from other researchers who may have in their possession documents that name or describe ancestors of African Americans. No clue is too small to offer; it could just be the missing piece of a large jigsaw!

Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society
AfriGeneas The nationwide site for African American genealogical research
Will of Jack Swift of Schodack - written in 1811, probated in 1817
African American History Timeline
Slavery in Rensselaer County - an overview, by Don Rittner
Abel Brown Forgotten Hero of the Underground Railroad Use the "search" feature to find the information about him.
Stephen Myers Steamboat Steward and Underground Railroad Leader
Biography of Charles Nalle (1821-18??) From Wikipedia. Use the "search" feature to find his biography.
The Rescue of Charles Nalle
The Escape of Charles Nalle
Gilead Lutheran Church Baptisms 1777-1879 - African American entries
The African American Mosaic - A Library of Congress resource guide
The Underground Railroad in New York State From New York History Net
Black Soldiers in the U. S. Military during the Civil War
The Vigilance Committee in Albany


Send comments or suggestions to:
Debby Masterson

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