February 2, 2009
Question:
I am trying to find indices for the various issues of the Register.
It
seems to me I read some time back that these are now available on line.
But I
can't find them! Am I just a dreamer or are they available.
Answer:
Thank you for your note. The index and images for the NEHGS Register
for
1841-2009 can be accessed online on our website. Once you have logged in
you
can use this link to access the advanced search page.
You can also utilize searchable PDF files of the Register from
2007-2010.
February 3, 2009
Question:
My wife and I want to research our New England families' ancestry--
Morse,
Maxwell, Stow, Upham. Can we personally do this at your location? Is
there a
cost involved? Thank you.
Answer:
Thank you for your note. Non-members of the New England Historic
Genealogical
Society are welcome to come and undertake their research for a fee of
$15.00
per day. If you decide you would like to become a member of NEHGS you
have up
to 30 days to apply the $15 day fee towards membership. I would suggest
searching our online
library catalog
of genealogical and historical reference materials. This allows you to
create a
shopping list of items you may wish to examine when you arrive. This
also
allows you to make better use of your time at the library. We are open
to the
public Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9-5, and on
Wednesdays from
9-9. For more information on the library you can go to our library page.
February 4, 2009
Question:
In researching my paternal grandmother's side of our family, I have come
across
my great-great grandfather's marriage dates but "The image is not
available." Although the "image does not exist," could the
record book be available? At the State Library of Massachusetts,
perhaps? I am
anxious to find out as it the only source which can help determine my
great-great grandmother's maiden name.
Answer:
Thank you for your note. In the case of a missing image from our Mass.
Vital
Records 1841-1910 series you can request copies from the microfilm
through our
photocopy service. Be sure to indicate the name, date, type of record
(ex:
marriage), volume and page when placing your order. Learn more about our
Photocopy Service.
Photocopy Service - Copies from sources in our
Library. Please provide the
book or journal article title, author, and page number/s that you need.
Use our online form to make your request. Copies
are made in accordance with copyright law. Rates are:
Copies: $.35 per page
Service Charge: Members $5.00 for
every 1-3 vital records
Non-Members $10.00 for every 1-3
vital records
Postage and Handling: $3.50 for
every 1-3 vital records
Fax Surcharge: $5.00 every 1-3 vital
records
Rush Charge: Please inquire at research@nehgs.org
If you require a certified copy of
any birth, marriage or death from the aforementioned series you can
order it
for $3.00 from the Massachusetts State Archives. The archives also has
1911-1915 available for the same certified document cost.
February 5, 2009
Question:
I do have the book Inhabitants and Estates of the Town of Boston
1630-1800, and
The Crooked and Narrow Streets of Boston 1630-1822 on CD-Rom. I
was
wondering what an abutter is?
Answer:
In the work by Annie Haven Thwing you will find numerous transcriptions
of
Suffolk County deeds. These deeds will list the boundaries and abutters
of the
plot of land owned by an individual or individuals. An abutter is the
owner of
an adjoining piece of land that borders the property described in a
deed.
February 6, 2009
Question:
The death record of one of my ancestors listed his place of burial as
Calvary
Cemetery, Boston, MA. He died in 1925 in Brookline, MA. I can't find a
listing
for that particular cemetery and was wondering if the name had been
changed. I
am looking for the gravesite of Patrick Finan to obtain information on
others
buried with him and when.
Answer:
Thank you for your note. The Calvary Cemetery has two locations you need
to be
aware of. There is an older cemetery still in use called Mount Calvary
Cemetery
started in 1866, and also New Calvary Cemetery started in 1899. Both
cemeteries
are part of the Boston Cemetery Association.
You should contact both regarding the 1925 burial you are interested in
locating.
Mount Calvary Cemetery Office
366 Cummins Highway
Roslindale, Massachusetts 02131
617-325-6830
bcca@mindspring.com
New
Calvary Cemetery Office
800 Harvard Street
Mattapan, Massachusetts 02126
617-296-2339
bcca@mindspring.com
Directions:
http://www.bostoncemetery.com/mtcalnewcaldir.htm
February 9, 2009
Question:
My grandmother did some research back in the 1950’s which I now am going
through. Many things she cited correctly however I am uncertain on one
in
particular. Do you know what MAC hen a volume and page refers to? These
are
mostly colonial documents from Massachusetts. I know the numbers do not
correspond to the NEHGS Register.
Answer:
Thank you for your note. I believe what your grandmother was referring
to was
the Massachusetts Archives Collection. This is a collection of volumes
containing tipped in colonial documents from 1629 to 1783. These
documents were
bound into volumes in the 19th century, and are accessible on microfilm
at the
Massachusetts State Archives. To find out more about the Massachusetts
Archives
Collection and the Mass. State Archives go to: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ARC/arcsrch/RevolutionarySearchContects.html
February 10, 2009
Question:
Could you answer a debate I have with another genealogist. They claim
they saw
a census pre-1850 that gives exact ages for families. I do not recall
ever
seeing such a census.
Answer:
Thanks for your intriguing question. Your colleague is actually
partially
correct. The 1840 U.S. Census does list the exact age and the name for
those
collecting a military pension or a widow’s pension. They are often the
head of
household, but occasionally they are listed living with another family
member.
These names and ages appear on the second page of each enumeration
sheet. The
statistics for this was used to publish A census of pensioners for
revolutionary or military services, with their names, ages, and places
of
residence, as returned by the marshals of the several judicial
districts, under
the act for taking the sixth census. (Washington, Printed by Blair
and
Rives, 1841). This volume can be seen online at: http://www.usgennet.org/usa/topic/colonial/census/1840/
February 11, 2009
Question:
I am putting together the primary and secondary sources for my genealogy
finally. Are the microfilmed Maine VRs 1892-1955 considered primary, or
secondary, sources?
Answer:
The vital records for the State of Maine were sent in from the City and
Towns
starting in 1892. Before that time it was up to the respective community
to
record vital records. The Maine VRs you mentioned are considered primary
source
records, since they attest to be a "true copy” of the records. To be on
the safe side I always seek out the original from the city or town. You
always
want to confirm that there were no clerical errors in the state copy.”
February 12, 2009
Question:
I am researching a Manley Stevens who was born at Warner, N.H. c. 1800.
He was
at Orford, NH in 1822 for many years after that. Would there be church
records
at those towns? If yes would you point me to the best sources records
please?
Answer:
Thank you for your note on Church Records for Warner and Orford, N.H.
Are you
aware of what religion Mr. Stevens’s family was? I am not sure if you
were
aware that the First Congregational Church Records were transcribed and
are
available from the LDS Church. If you need to rent this microfilm you
will want
to reference [FHL US/CAN Film: 15569 Item 11]. If this is not the
correct
religious affiliation please let me know.
February 13, 2009
Question:
I have a record of the marriage of Edward Keeney and Patience Chadwick
for 1762
in Newport, Rhode Island. The ceremony was performed by the Rev.
Nicholas
Eyres. How can I find out which church Mr. Eyres was connected with.
Answer:
Thank you for your note. According to Frederick L. Weiss, Colonial
Clergy in
New England (1936) Rev. Nicholas Eyers / Ayers (b. Chipmadslade, Wilts.,
England 22 August 1691; d. at Newport, Rhode Island 13 February 1759).
He
served as a minister of the Second Baptist Church of Newport from
1731-1759.
Everything seems to match with your Newport minister, but he died three
years
before this 1762 marriage. Rev. Gardner Thurston was the minister after
Eyers
serving from 1759 until 1802. I hope this information may assist you. Is
it
possible the transcription of the marriage was in error?
February 16, 2009
Question:
I have heard a rumor that the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records
and
Statistics is changing their hours and location? Is this true?
Answer:
Thank you for your note. The rumor is half correct. The location at the
present
moment for the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics is staying the
same.
They are located at: 150 Mount Vernon St., 1st Floor, Dorchester, Mass.
This
building is located next to the Bayside Expo Center, in the Bayside
Office
Center.
But the rumor is true on the hours. Effective on February 23, 2009 due
to
"restrictions in our budget and staffing reductions" their new hours
will be:
MONDAY: 2:00pm - 4:30pm
TUESDAY: 9:00am - 12:00pm
WEDNESDAY: NO RESEARCH HOURS
THURSDAY: 2:00pm – 4:30pm
FRIDAY: 9:00am - 12:00pm
February 17, 2009
Question:
I understand you are knowledgeable about military history. This really
is not a
genealogical question but you might know the answer. I have an old U.S.
Army
dog tag that I dug up with a metal detector. The name is a little hard
to read
but I am puzzled there is no serial number. How old might this dog I
found be?
Answer:
Thank you for your note. Without inspecting the actual item I cannot
give a one
hundred percent answer. I can tell you that it was issued before
February 12,
1918. That is when the U.S. Army implemented adding an Army serial
number. The
problem was there were too many identical names like John Smith, John
Brown,
etc.
February 18, 2009
Question:
I have two relatives who I believe were on a whaling fleet out of New
Bedford,
Massachusetts. They disappear from the New Bedford City Directories in
the
1850’s. Where can I search for them?
Answer:
Thank you for your note. A crew database covering the time period of
1810-1860
is available online from the New Bedford Public Library. This is a free
database available online at: www.whalingmuseum.org/logbooks.html
If you are interested in a photo of an image of the vessel the
New
Bedford
Whaling Museum may be of interest. Once you discover the name of the
vessel you
can see if a whaling logbook survives. To find a particular vessel in
their
logbook holdings go to: http://www.whalingmuseum.org/logbooks.html
February 19, 2009
Question:
A brother of my ancestors went west in the 1870’s and purchased land
from the
government in Michigan. Is there an online source to check this or do I
need to
write to the National Archives?
Answer:
Thank you for your question. The Bureau of Land Management offers a very
nice
website for search Land patents. Land Patents are the legal transfer of
land
ownership between the U.S. government and individuals. You can start
your
search of over by going to: www.glorecords.blm.gov/. Then click on “Search Land
Patents”. You will then be requested to enter your zip code. The
database is
very easy to navigate around. Select the state you need then enter the
first
and last name of your ancestor. The search results screen will list:
Patentee
Name; State & County; Issue Date; Land office location; document
number;
and the accession serial number. You will be able to download an image
of the
original land patent, save it to your computer and print it out. You
will in
some cases be able to view the actual images of the Federal Land Survey
and
Field Notes for the individual Land Patents.
February 20, 2009
Question:
I am trying to find lists of prisoners who were held on the British
prison
hulks in New York during the American Revolution. I have the ships'
names, but
am unable to locate specific prisoner lists except in bits and pieces. I
have
already tried the NYPL and New York Historical Society, and am in the
process
of contacting the National Archives in DC.
Answer:
A good collection of the records for of American prisoners of war
covering the years
through 1793 are housed at the National Archives at Kew, England.
For your ancestor you should examine the Letters of the Admiralty
Medical and
Prisoners of War (ADM 97/98 to 107, ADM 97/114/1 to 125, ADM 97/127/1
and ADM
97/131). This includes petitions from prisoners. The Naval State Papers
(SP
42.57) will list some of the American seamen made prisoners of war. An
exchange
list of all American and British officers in 1781 can be found in series
(WO
40/2).
Presently I would suggest you take a look at the book by Jane Cox, New
to Kew?
: A first time guide for family historians at the Public Record Office,
Kew.
(Kew, England: PRO Publications, 1997) [NEHGS Call # Intl.
[International Floor
on the 1st Floor] CD1043.3/C69/1997]. The National Archives will be
releasing
two updated books and should be on the NEHGS shelves in the coming
months.
These titles are: Stella Colwell, The National Archives – a
practical guide
for family historians (February 2006), and Amanda Bevan, Tracing
Your
Ancestors in The National Archives (March 2006). Both of these
titles can
be ordered from the bookstore on their website.
You can contact the archives at:
The National Archives
Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU. England
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8876 3444
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
February 23, 2009
Question:
Can you help me sort out the division of a Massachusetts town? I am very
confused by what is the history of the Bridgewater, Plymouth Co.,
Massachusetts
boundaries and splits of the communities. My late aunt had done
substantial
research however some of her records say North Bridgewater, West
Bridgewater or
even Brockton for the same event.
Answer:
The town of Bridgewater was originally known as “Duxborrow New
Plantation”
until it was incorporated into a town June 3, 1656. On June 15, 1821
part of
Bridgewater was established as North Bridgewater. North Bridgewater was
officially changed to Brockton on May 5, 1874. On February 16, 1822
another
portion of Bridgewater was established as the town of West Bridgewater.
And
finally on February 20, 1823 part of Bridgewater was established as the
town of
East Bridgewater.
February 24, 2009
Question:
A photo of mom's 1930 era Model A has a license plate that has fairly
clear
numbers--but not the state--is there a source for tracing these old
plates?
Answer:
I have never seen a
repository with early records of licensed drivers from
that era.
You may start by contacting the Dept. of Motor Vehicles in the
particular state
your mother was living at that time. From there I would ask that state
if in
fact they archive their license plate records and their location.
February 25, 2009
Question:
My grandfather once had a beautiful map of East Boston from the 19th
century.
This was lost years ago but I would love to find it again. This map
contained a
bird’s eye view of the East Boston landscape showing amazing detail.
Where
would I begin to search for it?
Answer:
Thank you for your
note. I had a suspicion that the Library of Congress website
might have what you are seeking. In the past I reviewed many of the
beautiful
maps they had online. I believe that map you are referring to was the
1879 map
drawn and published by O.H. Bailey & Company of Boston, Mass. The
detail is
quite amazing and one could easily pinpoint a 19th century family
residence.
The website where you can view and download the map is:
http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/query/h?ammem/gmd:@field(NUMBER+@band(g3764b+pm002850))
February 26, 2009
Question:
I am seeking the records of my late father who served in the U.S. Marine
Corps
from Massachusetts during the Korean War. Do you have records of
discharge on
file at NEHGS?
Answer:
Thank you for your
note. Being the child of a veteran you can request the
records on file from the Adjutant General’s Office. You can send an
email or
call Michael Perna at the following address; he will be of assistance to
you.
February 27, 2009
Question:
While examining the published set of Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors
in the
Revolutionary War I came across a town I don't recognize. I am aware of
the
town of Loudon, N.H. but not a Loudon, Massachusetts? Was this a town
once in
Maine or Massachusetts?
Answer:
This community did
exist in Berkshire County Massachusetts in the 18th and
early 19th century as Loudon. The region known as Loudon, Massachusetts
ceased
to exist in 1810 when it was incorporated as the town of Otis,
Massachusetts.