News 12's Jade Nash traces family roots in the Hudson Valley for Black History Month
The Orange County Genealogical Society estimates that News 12's Jade Nash's family has been in the Hudson Valley for about three centuries.
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News 12's Jade Nash and her grandmother visited a genealogical society in Goshen on Friday to trace their family history in the Hudson Valley and mark the end of Black History Month.
Nash's paternal grandmother, Peggy Carter, and her family have called Orange County home for generations.
Carter told Nash that no one ever talked about their family history.
"They didn't know about it," Carter said.
That's why Carter and Nash took a trip to the Orange County Genealogical Society to learn more information.
"We're going to look back at some of the old documents and everything," Nash said.
As a Black family, Carter wasn't sure how much information would be available. But when the grandmother-granddaughter duo arrived, they were stunned by just how many records did exist.
Volunteer Linda Burroughs even uncovered a military registration card belonging to one of their relatives from World War I.
"It gives his address as St. James Street, Goshen. That he was born in Halifax County, Virginia. His age was 53 at this point," Burroughs said.
"I'm very impressed," Carter said.
Burroughs said it only took her about four or five hours to find all of the documents.
She also shared just how far back their family can be traced in the Hudson Valley.
"I would say... almost to the Revolutionary War," Burroughs said.
While it's still unclear how exactly their family first came to the region, it became clear that their story is still being written.
