Few could surpass the knowledge that the late John Austin had about the history of Warren County, upstate New York and myriad history-related topics. In addition to a distinguished legal career, Austin spent untold hours researching history, lineage, the Town of Queensbury and Warren County.
When Austin passed away in June 2019 at the age of 84, the former county judge, historian and Queensbury Town Supervisor left behind a trove of books and documents dating back to the 1600s that were accumulated during decades of research that stemmed from his devotion to history and genealogy.
A combined effort by the Warren County Historian and Warren County Clerk’s Office has resulted in a new library of his collection being made available to the public.
Before he died, Austin decided wanted to make sure anyone who was interested could benefit from the work he had done.
“John was an amazing man, and his hope before he passed was that we could find a way to make this available for the public to use,” said Warren County Historian Dr. Stan Cianfarano.
After Austin passed away, retired Warren County Clerk Pam Vogel stepped in and spent hundreds of hours going through the material and organizing it so the public could use it, per Austin’s wishes. When Vogel passed away in October 2025, she had left a list of work she still had yet to do with Austin’s collection.
Austin, of Queenbury, went as far to leave money in his will to Warren County to display and preserve the collection, so taxpayers would not have to foot the bill when it was opened to the public.
Filed on bookshelves at the Warren County Clerk’s Office are hundreds of books, folders and much more, including documents that are particularly useful for those who research genealogy. A large portion of the collection pertains to Queensbury residents along with those of Irish lineage, information about local immigration from Ireland, and material from the Mayflower Society.
“There are many, many books about New York history and New England history, not just genealogy,” Cianfarano said. “It’s really amazing what a wide variety of materials John had accumulated.”
A formal unveiling of the collection was made to members of the Warren County Board of Supervisors on April 17.
Kevin Geraghty, Chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, said: “We are very thankful for this gift from Judge Austin. He was a great man and dedicated public servant, and it is fitting that even after he has passed, his lifetime of work will live on to benefit all of us.”
Cianfarano said those involved with preserving Austin’s collection are trying to figure out what to do with the information Austin had compiled on computer files, and what possibilities there are to make them available to the public.
The public is welcome to review Austin’s collection, which is now housed at the Warren County Clerk’s Office record room, by appointment only. Those who are interested should call Cianfarano at 518-761-6544.
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Photo attached: Warren County Historian Dr. Stan Cianfarano stands in front of the new research library made available to the public through the work of the late Warren County Judge John Austin.