@ Central: Genealogy Group - From Soldiers to Settlers: Exploring Central New York's Military Tract Online
From Soldiers to Settlers: Exploring Central New York's Military Tract
Friday, July 17, 2026 | 10–11 AM Eastern | Zoom
Presented by Kate Kisselstein, Librarian, Local History & Genealogy Dept., OCPL Central Library
Following the American Revolution, New York State rewarded many veterans with land—but the story of the Military Tract of Central New York is about far more than military service alone. Join librarian Kate Kisselstein as we explore how this ambitious land grant helped shape the settlement of Central New York and left a lasting legacy that can still be traced in our communities, maps, and family histories.
Through early maps, township names, and historical records, we'll examine how the Military Tract of Central New York was surveyed, who ultimately settled its lands, and how the region developed in the years following the Revolution. Along the way, we'll discuss why many of today's Central New York towns bear names from the classical world and how land speculation, settlement, and migration influenced the growth of the region.
Whether you're researching Revolutionary War ancestors, early Central New York families, or simply curious about the history behind the places we call home, this program will introduce you to one of the most significant—and often overlooked—chapters in our region's past.
Presented in recognition of America's 250th anniversary.
Please register online to receive the Zoom link and any participant handouts.
- Date:
- Friday, July 17, 2026
- Time:
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Library:
- Central Library
- Online:
- This is an online event. Event URL will be sent via registration email.
- Audience:
- Adults Seniors Teens
- Categories:
- Genealogy Local Interest Online Event