The Ossining Public Library and the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers have been community partners for several years. Both groups are dedicated to their ongoing partnership and shared community outreach efforts. To support that partnership, the Maryknoll Archives was proud to offer a two-part genealogy workshop series on Tuesday, October 17 at the Ossining Public Library and Tuesday, November 14 at the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers Center. Our programs were centered on learning to use genealogy databases. Participants explored Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org, both of which are available for free through the Ossining Public Library. The programs incorporated not only staff genealogical expertise, but also historical and archives research skills.
Thank you to the Ossining Public Library and the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers for hosting, promoting the events, and allowing me to utilize your infrastructure. Without your support, neither of these workshops would have been possible. I’m especially grateful to the IT and Facilities staff for making sure our events went smoothly.
Thank you as well to the Westchester County Genealogical Society for promoting and sharing our events with your community members. It was exciting to discover a large local genealogy community in our backyard!
Last but certainly not least, I’m so grateful to the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers and Ossining community members who joined us in learning and sharing knowledge during this pilot program. Your enthusiasm for family history research and positive feedback from our sessions was inspiring. Because of you, our Genealogy Workshop series will be continuing in 2024!
(From left to right) Fr. Frank Breen, Fr. John Gorski, Meagan Cairns, Fr. Ed Shellito, Fr. Frank Felter, and Bro. Loren Beaudry
We’re still in the planning process, but keep a look out for exciting new genealogy workshops next year. We hope to see you there! Until then, don’t forget to check out the Ossining Public Library’s Programs and Events Calendar:
“We are a Catholic Society of Apostolic Life of missionary priests and brothers who, for over 100 years, have modeled ourselves after the compassion and love of Jesus Christ in reaching out to those in the world who are most in need… by ministering to the hungry, sick, and marginalized in more than 20 countries across the globe.
Our work involves direct evangelization and various pastoral ministries, healthcare, education, agricultural and vocational training, HIV/AIDS ministry, disaster relief, and many more in service as heralds of God’s LOVE and HOPE in the poorest areas around the world.”
Our Mission
Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers
“For more than 150 years, the Ossining Public Library has established a legacy of service, enrichment, and inspiration to the greater Ossining community. Chartered as The Sing Sing Public Library in 1893, the library began as a collection of 700 books in the superintendent’s office before finding a permanent home on Croton Avenue in 1914. With expansive collections and community gathering spaces, the library seeks to connect, enrich, and inspire the Ossining community with innovative programs, collections, and services. Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the library’s long range plan is grounded in recognizing, addressing, and celebrating all members of the Ossining community.”
OPL at a Glance
Our Mission and Plan for serving the community at OPL
2022-2023
Interested in learning more about Maryknoll?
Do you have a relative associated with Maryknoll? Their records might also be in the Mission Archives. We would love to help you reconnect with your family’s history.
You can contact the Archives at:
Maryknoll Mission Archives
PO Box 305, Maryknoll, New York 10545
Phone: 914-941-7636
Office hours: 8:30 am-4:00 pm Monday-Friday
Email: archives@maryknoll.org
Website: www.maryknollmissionarchives.org
References:
Ancestry. Ancestry® – Family Tree, Genealogy & Family History Records. (2023). https://www.ancestry.com/
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (2023). FamilySearch. FamilySearch.org. https://www.familysearch.org/en/united-states/
Home. Maryknoll Lay Missioners. (2023, November 10). https://mklm.org/
Home. Maryknoll Mission Archives. (2023, November 3). https://maryknollmissionarchives.org/
Home. Maryknoll Sisters. (2023, November 3). https://www.maryknollsisters.org/
Missionaries of the Catholic Church: Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers. Maryknoll Society. (2023, November 10). https://maryknollsociety.org/
Our mission and plan. Ossining Public Library. (2023, February 14). https://ossininglibrary.org/about-opl/plan/
Programs & events. Ossining Public Library. (2023, February 18). https://ossininglibrary.org/programs-events/
Research tools. Ossining Public Library. (2023, August 25). https://ossininglibrary.org/digital/research/
Westchester County Genealogical Society’s page. Facebook. (n.d.). https://www.facebook.com/WCGSinNewYork
Bp. James A. Walsh (right) with his brother Timothy Walsh,
architect of the Maryknoll Seminary
Maryknoll Siblings – Sr. Joan Ratermann and Fr. George Ratermann
