If you’re an Ogden with Orange County, New York ties, call this your Lucky Day

Dear Readers,

I bet you wish you could step back in time and have a visit with a relative who knew a 2^nd Great Grandmother. That’s what happened to me when I discovered an interview at my local genealogical society.

Eighty-four years ago, June 1, 1934, Mrs. Emma Wood visited with a local historian and genealogist. Emma Wood was born Emma Frances Ogden August 10, 1864 at Otisville, New York to Joseph Stewart Ogden and Charlotte Anna Satterly.  She’s my first cousin 3 times removed.

In other words, she was my 2^nd Great Grandmother Harriet C. Ogden’s niece.

When Emma Frances was born, Great Grandmother Harriet was a young wife married to Jeremiah B. Clark. By the time Harriet passed in 1912, Emma was 48 years old living in Middletown, New York.

An Ogden family enthusiast employed genealogist Miss Elizabeth Horton to learn the family history. That must be what brought Miss Horton and Emma together June 1, 1934. Emma would have been 70 years old. She reminisced about her Aunts and Uncles while Miss Horton wrote down her recollections. Miss Horton prepared 3 pages of hand written notes from the interview. This is old school genealogy—nothing typed, indexed or digitized.

I know what you’re thinking. I will admit the notes seem a bit messy, but this is a rare glimpse into the family. If you’re an Ogden with Orange County, New York ties, call this your lucky day.

After Miss Horton died, her research was gathered in paper bags and brought to the Orange County Genealogical Society.  Society volunteers sorted and added her materials to the vertical file collection.

Contact or visit your genealogical and historical societies. Treasures might be waiting for you too.