ORANGE COUNTY, NY HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

History of Orange County, New York by Corps of Biographical Writers, (1881) – 1344 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2024.05.30.1209.CD.AR

Portrait and Biographical Record of Orange County, New York by Chapman Publishing Company (1895) – 1552 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.08.12.1835.AR

An Outline History of Orange County by Samuel Watkins Eager (1846) – 668 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2200.AR

History of the County, of Orange by Edward Manning Ruttenber (1875) – 470 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2204.AR

The History of Orange County, New York by Russel Headley (1908) – 1270 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2208.AR

A Narrative History of Orange County, New York by Almet S. Moffat (1928) – 226 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2220.AR

A History of Orange County by National Bank of Orange County (1922) – 28 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.2228.AR

Southeastern New York, A History of the Counties of Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland and Putnam Volume 1 by Louise Hasbrouck Zimm (1946) – 472 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.1932.AR

Southeastern New York, A History of the Counties of Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland and Putnam Volume 2 by Louise Hasbrouck Zimm (1946) – 608 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.1928.AR

Southeastern New York, A History of the Counties of Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland and Putnam Volume 3 by Louise Hasbrouck Zimm (1946) – 850 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.17.1924.AR

Orange County, New York: A Genealogical Overview

Located north of New York City in the Hudson Valley, Orange County is a region of immense historical significance, particularly during the American Revolution. It is home to the United States Military Academy at West Point and is known for its dairy farming, particularly the famed Orange County butter, and its distinctive “black dirt” region. For genealogists, it offers deep colonial roots with Dutch, English, and German settlement patterns.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Orange County is one of the original twelve counties of the Province of New York.

  • 1683: County Formed: Orange was established on November 1, 1683.
  • Parent Entity: It was formed directly from the lands of the Province of New York.
  • Subsequent Formations: Its territory south of the Hudson Highlands was used to form Rockland County in 1798.
  • Name Origin: Named in honor of William, Prince of Orange, who would later become King William III of England.
  • County Seat History: The county has two county seats: Goshen (since 1727) and Newburgh (added in the 19th century).

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The area was inhabited by the Lenape people.
  • Colonial Settlement: Settlement began in the late 17th century by a mix of English, Dutch, French Huguenot, and German Palatine settlers, who established farms and small communities.
  • American Revolution: Orange County’s control of the Hudson Highlands was arguably the most critical strategic point of the war. West Point was fortified, and a great chain was stretched across the Hudson to block British ships. The county hosted Washington’s headquarters in Newburgh for the final years of the war, and it was here that the Newburgh Conspiracy was peacefully resolved.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • United States Military Academy: Established at West Point in 1802, it has been a central feature of the county’s identity and economy ever since.
    • Dairy Farming and “Goshen Butter”: The county’s rolling hills were ideal for dairy farming, and “Goshen butter” became famous throughout the country for its quality in the 19th century.
    • Erie Railroad: The arrival of the Erie Railroad in the 1840s connected the county’s agricultural producers to the New York City market and spurred the growth of towns like Port Jervis and Middletown.
    • Black Dirt Region: A unique region of the county, a former glacial lakebed, contains incredibly fertile organic soil, ideal for growing onions and other specialty crops.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

  • County Courthouse: The Orange County Clerk’s Office is located in Goshen, NY.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth, Marriage, and Death Records: Statewide registration began in 1880. The cities of Newburgh, Middletown, and Port Jervis may have earlier records.
  • Essential Records and Archives:
    • Orange County Genealogical Society: A very active and knowledgeable society, it is a primary resource for researchers.
    • West Point Museum and Archives: While focused on military history, it holds records and information relevant to the region.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • Many local libraries, such as the Newburgh Free Library, have excellent local history and genealogy collections.
    • Numerous active town historical societies, such as the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Ulster County (north)
    • Dutchess County (northeast, across the Hudson River)
    • Putnam County (east, across the Hudson River)
    • Rockland County (south)
    • Sullivan County (west)
    • Pike County, Pennsylvania (southwest)
    • Sussex County, New Jersey (south)
    • Passaic County, New Jersey (south)

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks