The Van Schaick family of early Albany is descended from Goosen Gerritse who came to New Netherland during the 1630s. He established himself in Beverwyck and Albany and was known as a trader, processor, and landholder. His descendants built on those successes in Albany and beyond.

His son, Livinius, was a multi-residence merchant and was elected to the Provincial Assembly first in 1691.

In 1697, the household of Anthony Van Schaick, Sr. was listed on the Albany census. His daughter, Gerritje, was the mother of future Albany mayor Jacob C. Ten Eyck.

In 1719, Gerrit S. Van Schaick was the first of three family members to be appointed sheriff of Albany County.

Sybrant G. Van Schaick was named mayor of Albany in 1756. His was the most prominent of seven, Van Schaick-named households appearing on a census of Albany householders taken in that year by the British army. The mayor's son, Colonel Goose Van Schaick, was a field officer in the Revolutionary army.

Tory brothers Peter and one-time Albany businessman Henry Van Schaack were sons of the Kinderhook branch of the family.

In 1815, three Van Schaick households were listed in the Albany city directory including the home of Bank of Albany Cashier and realtor Gerrit W. Van Schaick. By that time, Van Schaick Street was lined with boardinghouses.

Sources: This profile of the Van Schaick/Van Schaack/Van Schoick family is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. At this point, the best genealogical resouce for the family was produced by Jonathan Pearson. Records from the bible of Anthony Van Schaick appear online.