Foreword by Loring McMillen

In addition to this being the earliest volume of Staten Island Records, this is also, as far as I can tell, the earliest publication written by Loring as Borough Historian. Loring authored the foreword, and was undoubtedly instrumental in getting this transcribed and created with help from the Works Progress Administration. The work is an invaluable source for early Staten Island history, although, as Loring makes clear here, the records were haphazard and in an advanced state of disrepair when saved.