Schenectady County was formed from Albany County on March 7, 1809. It has a population of  146,555, eighteenth of New York State's 62 counties, and an area of 210 square miles, making it the second smallest in the state. The name "Schenectady" is derived from a Mohawk Indian word for "on that side of the pinery," or "near the pines," or "place beyond the pine plains." A brief history of any of New York State's counties can be viewed by clicking on the county of interest on a Hope Farm map of the State.

Schenectady County includes six municipalities:

• The City of Schenectady, the County seat.
• The Town of Duanesburg, which contains the Village of Delanson.
• The Town of Glenville, which contains the Village of Scotia
• The Town of Niskayuna
• The Town of Princetown
• The Town of Rotterdam, which contains the hamlet of Rotterdam Junction


Schenectady County History Resources

• Schenectady History (SCPL)
• Famous people of Schenectady County
  
• History of Schenectady County (Hope Farm Press)
• Pictures from Schenectady's History
• Schenectady County and other NY State G.A.R. Posts

City of Schenectady

• Questions and Answers about Schenectady
• Timeline of Schenectady History
• The Historic Stockade
• Schenectady Families (links to family pages with Schenectady connections)
• Schenectady Fire Dept. (history and photos)
• Schenectady Railroad History
• Mayors

Duanesburg

• Profile
• Early history
• Historic Sites
• Supervisors

Glenville

• Profile
• Early history
• Historic Sites
• Supervisors since 1821

Niskayuna

• Whence the name?
• Profile
• Niskayuna since 1640
• Chronology
• Historic Sites
• Town government
• Supervisors since 1809

Princetown

• Early History
• History of Princetown (CRISNY)
• Historic Sites
• Supervisors

Rotterdam

• Profile
• Early History
• Historic Sites
• Supervisors since 1821