The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple

Posted on July 12, 2007 by Steve

Eight stained glass windows in the Roman Catholic Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Albany, New York depict events in the life of Jesus Christ. The third portrays the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple.

Notice that Joseph carries a cage with the requisite two turtle doves mentioned in Luke 2:24. Could this be the basis for the two turtle doves mentioned in the “Twelve Days of Christmas”?

The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple - Stained Glass Window at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul - Albany, New York

The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple

SOURCE: The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. Stained Glass Window in the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, Albany, New York. Created approximately 1904-1908 in Munich, Germany. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko 09 Jul 2007.

{2:21} And after eight days were ended, so that the boy would be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, just as he was called by the Angel before he was conceived in the womb.
{2:22} And after the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, in order to present him to the Lord,
{2:23} just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “For every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,”
{2:24} and in order to offer a sacrifice, according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
{2:25} And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with him.
{2:26} And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
{2:27} And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, in order to act on his behalf according to the custom of the law,
{2:28} he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said:
{2:29} “Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word.
{2:30} For my eyes have seen your salvation,
{2:31} which you have prepared before the face of all peoples:
{2:32} the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”
{2:33} And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him.
{2:34} And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: “Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted.
{2:35} And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
{2:36} And there was a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, and she had lived with her husband for seven years from her virginity.
{2:37} And then she was a widow, even to her eighty-fourth year. And without departing from the temple, she was a servant to fasting and prayer, night and day.
{2:38} And entering at the same hour, she confessed to the Lord. And she spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel.
{2:39} And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth.

SOURCE: Conte, Ronald L. Jr., translator and editor .  The Sacred Bible. Catholic Public Domain Version. Luke 2:21-39. Online <http://www.sacredbible.org/catholic/NT-03_Luke.htm>. Accessed 11 Jul 2007.

This stained glass window includes the inscription: “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of John Minahan”.

For other posts on the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, see:

For posts on the Vincentian Institute, see:

For posts on the Pine Hills Branch of the Albany Public Library, see:

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Nativity

Posted on July 11, 2007 by Steve

Eight stained glass windows in the Roman Catholic Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Albany, New York depict events in the life of Jesus Christ, the second of which portrays the Nativity.

The Nativity - Stained Glass Window in the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, Albany, New York

The Nativity

SOURCE: The Nativity. Stained Glass Window in the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, Albany, New York. Created approximately 1904-1908 in Munich, Germany. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko 09 Jul 2007.

{2:1} And it happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, so that the whole world would be enrolled.
{2:2} This was the first enrollment; it was made by the ruler of Syria, Quirinius.
{2:3} And all went to be declared, each one to his own city.
{2:4} Then Joseph also ascended from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
{2:5} in order to be declared, with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.
{2:6} Then it happened that, while they were there, the days were completed, so that she would give birth.
{2:7} And she brought forth her firstborn son. And she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn.
{2:8} And there were shepherds in the same region, being vigilant and keeping watch in the night over their flock.
{2:9} And behold, an Angel of the Lord stood near them, and the brightness of God shone around them, and they were struck with a great fear.
{2:10} And the Angel said to them: “Do not be afraid. For, behold, I proclaim to you a great joy, which will be for all the people.
{2:11} For today a Saviour has been born for you in the city of David: he is Christ the Lord.
{2:12} And this will be a sign for you: you will find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
{2:13} And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the celestial army, praising God and saying,
{2:14} “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will.”

SOURCE: Conte, Ronald L. Jr., translator and editor .  The Sacred Bible. Catholic Public Domain Version. Luke 2:1-14. Online <http://www.sacredbible.org/catholic/NT-03_Luke.htm>. Accessed 11 Jul 2007.

This stained glass window includes the inscription: “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Mr Mrs James McDonough”.

For other posts on the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, see:

The Annunciation

Posted on July 10, 2007 by Steve

The Roman Catholic Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Albany, New York is home to a number of stained glass windows imported from Munich, Germany. Eight of these windows depict events in the life of Christ. The first portrays the Annunciation as described in the Gospel of Luke.

The Annunciation - Stained Glass Window from the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, Albany, NY

The Annunciation

SOURCE: The Annunciation. Stained Glass Window in the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, Albany, New York. Created approximately 1904-1908 in Munich, Germany. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko 09 Jul 2007.

{1:26} Then, in the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent by God, to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
{1:27} to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary.
{1:28} And upon entering, the Angel said to her: “Hail, full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.”
{1:29} And when she had heard this, she was disturbed by his words, and she considered what kind of greeting this might be.
{1:30} And the Angel said to her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace with God.
{1:31} Behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and you shall bear a son, and you shall call his name: JESUS.
{1:32} He will be great, and he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. And he will reign in the house of Jacob for eternity.
{1:33} And his kingdom shall have no end.”
{1:34} Then Mary said to the Angel, “How shall this be done, since I do not know man?”
{1:35} And in response, the Angel said to her: “The Holy Spirit will pass over you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. And because of this also, the Holy One who will be born of you shall be called the Son of God.
{1:36} And behold, your cousin Elizabeth has herself also conceived a son, in her old age. And this is the sixth month for her who is called barren.
{1:37} For no word will be impossible with God.”
{1:38} Then Mary said: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.” And the Angel departed from her.

SOURCE: Conte, Ronald L . Jr., translator and editor .  The Sacred Bible. Catholic Public Domain Version. Luke 1:26-38. Online <http://www.sacredbible.org/catholic/NT-03_Luke.htm>. Accessed 10 Jul 2007.

This stained glass window includes the inscription: “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of William Moore. Note that the bottom part of the window opens to allow the circulation of air.

For other posts on the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, see:

For posts on the Vincentian Institute, see:

For posts on the Pine Hills Branch of the Albany Public Library, see:

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Church of Saint Vincent de Paul in Albany, New York

Posted on July 9, 2007 by Steve

Today, I visited the Church of Saint Vincent de Paul in order to take some photos. The church has been extensively remodeled since I was last here.

Exterior of the Church of Saint Vincent de Paul in Albany New York - 2007

The Exterior of the Church of Saint Vincent de Paul

The Church of Saint Vincent de Paul has been remodeled several times in the past. The exterior of the existing building is essentially the same as it was in 1957 was the church was significantly enlarged.

Stained Glass Window of the Poor Widow in the Church of Saint Vincent de Paul

Stained Glass Depiction of “The Poor Widow”

One of many stained glass windows in the church, this scene depicts a scene from the Gospel of St. Luke, as described in the window itself: “This poor widow hath cast in more than they all” St. Luke XXI, 3. The window is dedicated “To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Rev. John J. McDonald”.

Facing the Entrance of the Church of Saint Vincent de Paul in Albany New York - 2007

Church Interior, Facing the Entrance

From 1957-1985, a choir loft with an organ graced the space above the entrance doors. In the remodeled church, the choir loft was removed, and the organ relocated to the altar area.

Altar of the Church of Saint Vincent de Paul in Albany New York - 2007

Church Interior, Facing the Altar

In the remodeled church, the pews were removed and replaced with chairs that surround the altar on three sides. The existing worship space was cut in half from the space present from 1957-1985 and approximates the worship space in the church in 1908, when the existing building was dedicated.

Before I left the church, I was presented with two books: a jubilee book to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the church, and a book celebrating the first 65 years of the Vincential Institute, two volumes I was very happy to receive.

For other posts on the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, see:

For posts on the Vincentian Institute, see:

For posts on the Pine Hills Branch of the Albany Public Library, see:

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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Photos of the Vincentian Institute in Albany, New York

Posted on July 8, 2007 by Steve

Back on May 2, 2007, I wrote about the Vincentian Institute in Albany, New York for the Carnival of Genealogy. I’ve received some interesting comments on that post from former students who are apparently eager to share their experiences at Vincentian.

This morning, I attended mass at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, the home parish for Vincentian. I then took a brief tour of the area and snapped a few photos of the former Vincentian Institute High School (VIHS) and the Child Culture Division (VI-CCD).

The Former Vincentian Institute High School - 2007

The Former Vincentian Institute High School in 2007

The front of VIHS, shown here, is now a community center. The back of the building on Yates Street is now the entrance to the St. Vincent Apartments.

The Former Sisters of Mercy Convent - Albany New York - 2007

The Former Convent of the Sisters of Mercy

The Sisters of Mercy taught at both VI-CCD (the grade school) and at VIHS. A few lay teachers also taught at both VI-CCD and VIHS. For most of the existence of the high school, the Brothers of the Holy Cross also taught there.

The Father Charles Memorial Building - Formerly Part of Vincentian Institute CCD - 2007

The Father Charles Memorial Building at VI-CCD

The last addition to VI-CCD was the Father Charles Memorial Building (the brick building). The Father Charles Memorial Building was purchased by the College of St. Rose. The glass school has been demolished.

The Barn - Formerly Part of Vincentian Institute Child Cultural Division - 2007

The Barn at VI-CCD

The barn, where I attended third grade classes, is still standing. It, too, now belongs to the College of St. Rose where it is used as a theater.

For other posts on the Vincentian Institute, see:

For posts on the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, see:

For posts on the Pine Hills Branch of the Albany Public Library, see:

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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A Day at the New York State Library

Posted on July 7, 2007 by Steve

I spent Friday at the New York State Library. Most of the stacks at the New York State Library are closed and require a wait of up to an hour before the requested books, microfilm, or other materials are retrieved.

The staff gave me a brief overview of how to use the catalog, and I was on my way. My main goal was to look up some obituaries in New York State newspapers on microfilm. Luckily, the Albany Times Union and some other newspapers are in open stacks, so they were readily accessible. I ordered one microfilm for the Cohoes American from 1928 and the microfilm was available exactly when promised.

I found obituaries for:

  • Paul Charron, Jr. who died on 26 Jan 1943
  • Maryanna Danko who died 08 Sep 1969
  • Laura C. Schroll Engel who died 06 Sep 1988
  • Frances M. Iwaniec who died 19 Jan 1951
  • Annette Girard Charron who died 28 Apr 1984

The obituary searches took longer than I expected because, in some cases, I only had a month and year of death from the Social Security Death Index and I had to search an entire month’s microfilm to find the obituaries . On the upside, I now have exact dates of the deaths and, in most cases, I now have exact locations of the deaths.

I also searched some City Directories and the 1925 New York State Census with great success. The searches of the New York State Census records were slow because the New York State Census has not been indexed.

The New York State Library seems to cater to genealogists. Many of the holdings in open stacks are genealogically relevant materials, including D.A.R. Records, New York State Bible Records, New York Census Records, City Directories, and New York State Genealogies. The New York State Library even has a Volunteer Genealogist on hand to help answer questions and give research advice.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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Photos from Albany, New York

Posted on July 6, 2007 by Steve

The Empire State Plaza was built between 1965 and 1978 in a historical part of Albany and required that a number of historical neighborhoods be demolished.

Cultural Education Center in Albany New York

The Cultural Education Center

The New York State Archives, the New York State Library, and the New York State Museum are housed in the Cultural Education Center. The Cultural Education Center is part of the Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza.

The Egg Performing Arts Center in Albany New York

The Egg

The Egg is the Performing Arts Center in the Empire States Plaza.

The New York State Capitol in Albany New York

The New York State Capitol

The New York State Capitol Building is located across the street from the Empire State Plaza and is connected with the plaza by underground tunnels. The building was completed in 1899 at a cost of $25 million and was the most expensive government building ever built up to that time.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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A Day at the New York State Archives

Posted on July 5, 2007 by Steve

I don’t have a whole lot of time to write tonight, but I thought I’d at least provide an update on my activities.

I spent a rainy Fourth of July at my sister’s house with about fifteen other relatives. With the rain, it was a cozy bunch inside the house!

Thursday, I went to the New York State Archives, where I spent about six hours looking through the New York State vital records indexes.

New York State has a fairly restrictive policy for access to vital records for genealogy purposes:

To obtain birth records for genealogy purposes, the record must be 75 years old and the person named must be deceased; to obtain marriage and death records for genealogy purposes, the record must be 50 years old and the persons named must be deceased.

The time limits for genealogy requests may be waived if the person requesting the record is a direct-line descendant. The person named in the record must be deceased.

Certified copies of vital records may be obtained without time restrictions and without the requirement that the named individual be deceased, but very few people qualify to receive certified copies of vital records:

Those entitled to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate are the person whose birth is recorded on the certificate and the parents of the named individual. The parents must be named on the certificate themselves. Anyone else who wishes to obtain the birth certificate of a living individual must have a New York State Court Order.

Those entitled to obtain a certified copy of the death certificate of someone who died less than 50 years ago are the spouse, parent or child of the deceased, and other persons who have a documented lawful right or claim, documented medical need, or a New York State Court Order.

Those entitled to obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate are the bride or groom, or other persons who have a documented judicial or other proper purpose, or a New York State Court Order.

Those entitled to obtain a certified copy of a divorce certificate are the husband, the wife, and other persons with a New York State Court Order.

All the same, I examined the indexes to vital records (restricted to birth records at least 75 years old, and marriage and death records at least 50 years old). I had quite a bit of success finding vital records indexed for several births, marriages, and deaths. My next step with the vital records is to order the certificates, themselves.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Family Home on South Allen Street

Posted on July 3, 2007 by Steve

I’m heading back to Albany, New York to spend the Fourth of July with my father and my sisters. It should be an interesting trip.

My younger sister, who owns the house on South Allen Street in which we grew up, has rented out the house for a number of years now. She and her husband have taken care of the place: shoveling the walk in the winter, mowing the lawn and trimming the shrubs in the summer, raking the leaves in the autumn. My sister has decided that it’s time to sell the house, and I agreed with her, although not without some reservations.

I certainly have a lot of memories about that house. I’ve now lived in my present place in San Francisco longer than I lived in the house in Albany, but I think I could write volumes about my memories of our family home in Albany.

When I was born, my family lived on Park Avenue in Albany, a two-family structure owned by my paternal uncle, John Danko. Uncle John’s great grandson now owns that building.

My family bought the house on South Allen Street in 1961. It, too, was a two-family building. In 1961, my parents actually only bought the lower flat, and a few years later my cousin Al bought the upstairs flat. Al didn’t live there; he bought it as an investment and rented it out.

Later, and I don’t remember exactly when, my parents bought the upstairs flat from Al and rented it out themselves. I remember several different families who lived upstairs from us, three of which included children who were the same ages as my sisters and I. Regardless of who owned the upper flat, my father always maintained the yard and shoveled the walk in the winter.

The house included a full basement and a full attic . My sisters and I used to play in the basement. It was cool in the summer (we didn’t have air conditioning) and warm in the winter (the oil furnace was located in the basement).

My father built two model railroad setups in the basement, an O gauge system complete with a tunnel and landscaping, and an HO gauge system. I can still smell odor of the transformers. When we weren’t playing with the trains, we lowered a cover made of plastic sheeting that my father had rigged to the basement ceiling with pulleys.

On two occasions, my sisters and I put on shows in the basement for the neighborhood kids. In one show, we lip-synched to my cousin Al’s 45s from the 1950s. The hit of the show was “Purple People Eater”.

We also spent time playing in the attic, although the attic was mainly used for storage. In the summer, the attic was stiflingly hot and, in the winter, it was bitterly cold. During my senior year in high school, I set up a room in the attic where I could study without being disturbed.

After my sister moved out of the house, she left quite a lot of the family memorabilia in the basement and attic. Now that she is planning to sell the house, we’ll have to clear everything out . I think we’ll have to rent storage space somewhere; there’s just so much stuff. I know that two sets of my maternal grandmother’s china are stored there, all of our grade school and high school report cards and projects are there, and lots of books, toys, games, furniture, magazines, and LPs, are there, too. I don’t know what else I might find . I could find some real treasures.

While in Albany, I be spending a lot of my time helping to clear out the attic and basement. Going through all those boxes is sure to be a bittersweet experience.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Polish Village and Gmina of Bartołdy

Posted on July 2, 2007 by Steve

After Agnieszka told me that the correct spelling of my Niedziałkowski ancestors’ parish was Pałuki, I learned that my 4th great grandfather, Tomasz Niedziałski, lived in the tiny village of Klonowo. Recently, I translated the brief entries for both Pałuki and Klonowo from the Słownik Geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego i Innych Krajów Słowiańskich (The Geographical Dictionary of the Kingdom of Poland and Other Slavonic Countries). The entry for Klonowo revealed that the village was part of the Bartołdy gmina [municipality], and today I translated the Słownik entry for Bartołdy:

Slownik Geograficzny Entry for Bartoldy

Słownik Geograficzny Entry for Bartołdy

Source:  Sulimierski, Filip, Chlebowski, Bronisław, and Władysław Walewski, eds., Słownik Geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego i Innych Krajów Słowiańskich (Geographical Dictionary of the Kingdom of Poland and other Slavonic Countries) – Warsaw 1880, Volume I, page 112.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Słownik Geograficzny entry for Bartołdy. Translated from the Polish, the entry states:

Bartołdy, a village in Powiat [District] Ciechanów, gmina [municipality] of the same name, Zielona parish, to the right of the beaten track from Ciechanów to Przasnysz, about 6 versts (0.66 miles per verst) to the southwest of Przasnysz, it has 200 inhabitants, few owners, a windmill. The Bartołdy gmina belongs to the municipal court circle II in Opinogóra, post office in Przasnysz, 14 versts distant from Ciechanów. Three schools in the gmina, population 3648.

I had hoped that the entry for Bartołdy would provide a bit more information about the area around Klonowo. To find more information, I may have to translate the entry for Ciechanów, a prospect that I find a bit intimidating since the Słownik entry for Ciechanów goes on for several pages!

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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