Guests of the Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS) participate in last year’s program commemorating Black History Month. CCHS will host “Black Family Connections Between Peterboro & Chenango County” from 1:30–2:30 p.m. on Feb. 8. at the James S. Flanagan Research Center, located at 43 Rexford St., Norwich. (Photo from CCHS)

NORWICH — To commemorate Black History Month, the Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS) and Museum, along with Madison County Smithfield Town Historian Donna D. Burdick, will present a lecture on the connection of abolition and black heritage between the town of Peterboro and Chenango County.

CCHS invites the community to the presentation from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., February 8, in the James S. Flanagan Research Center located at 43 Rexford Street in Norwich. Admission to the lecture is a free-will donation. In case of inclement weather, the lecture date will move to February 15.

Smithfield Town Historian Burdick said she began reviewing a black family named Baker and wondered what happened to them, to the children and other family members.

“Although the family lived in Peterboro, I had a clue they had at one time lived in Chenango County,” said Burdick.

She said she researched online and located the family name along with Chenango County location, and related information, including the wife’s maiden name and additional family members that lived in Norwich.

Burdick continued gathering data and family history of not only the Baker family but extended relatives with connections between Norwich and Peterboro.

“I also found Thomas Randall,” she added. “He ran a number of newspapers and his most successful was in Sherburne.”