Nancy Bohn Genealogy Papers
Content Description
This collection consists of genealogical materials created and collected by Nancy Bohn of Penfield, New York. Starting in 1967, Bohn carried out extensive genealogical research into her family lines: Awe, Ormsbee, Schake, and Watson. The resulting collection includes a detailed typescript family histories for each line, research files, and a small body of rare genealogical books.
Dates
- Creation: 1735-2025
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.
Biographical Note
Nancy Bohn, of Penfield, New York, began researching her genealogy in 1967. In a nearly 60-year career, she researched all four of her family lines: : Awe, Ormsbee, Schake, and Watson. Her work included research trips around the United States, particularly to New England, along with the creation of formal typescript family histories for each line. Born to Orrin M. and Dorothy E. Ormsbee in East Rochester in February of 1936, she married Hermann Bohn of Augustine Street (in the City of Rochester) on May 18, 1963. They had three sons: Michael, Richard, and Stephen. Hermann passed away on August 4, 2007.
Bohn's family lines are as follows:
Awe - descendants of Carl (Charles) AWE and Dorothea HOETHER; emigrated from Mecklenburg, Germany to Mendon, New York in 1873.
Ormsby - descendants of Richard de ORMESBY (b. 1020); focus on descendants of Richard ORNSBY and Sarah UPHAM of Rehoboth, Massachusetts (married 1640 in Saco, Maine)
Schaake - descendants of Johann Adam and Angelika Elisabet SCHAKE; emigrated from Haddamar, Hessen, Germany on the ship Rastede in 1852. Settled on Weld Street in Rochester, New York.
Watson - descendants of Calvin and Polly (Clark) WATSON; settled at Ellenburg Center, New York after emigrating from Vermont.
Full Extent
1.0 Cubic Feet (2 document boxes, 2 binders in a box.)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection consists of 4 boxes. Boxes 1 and 2 comprise research notes and ephemera. Boxes 3 and 4 are large "binder in a box" albums. As donated, the collection included typescript family histories for the Awe, Ormsbee, Schake, and Watson family lines, each housed in its own binder. These were rehoused and consolidated, with Awe and Ormsbee going into Box 3, while Schake and Watson are in Box 4.
The collection was received in original order, and this was retained in processing. Boxes 1 and 2 are largely organized by family name, following the order that Bohn used for them in her file cabinet. The few "out of order" files at the end of box 2 were received in the order in which they are described; these files were not in the file cabinet.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Nancy Bohn, 2025.
Bibliography
"Nancy Ormsbee to Wed Hermann Bohn." Democrat & Chronicle (newspaper), Rochester, New York. May 19, 1963, page 110.
"Ormsby, Dorothy Schake" Democrat & Chronicle (newspaper), Rochester, New York, April 28, 1995, page 53.
Condition Description
Material in this collection is generally in good condition.
- Title
- A Guide to the Nancy Bohn Genealogy Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Brandon Fess
- Date
- 2025-12-30
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Local History & Genealogy Division Repository
115 South Ave.
Rochester 14604 USA
585-428-8370
585-428-8353 (Fax)
lochistref@libraryweb.org