Vol. 10, No. 17
Whole #371
April 23, 2008
Edited by Michael J. Leclerc and Valerie Beaudrault
enews@nehgs.org
Greetings from the New England Historic Genealogical Society! This newsletter has been sent to people who asked to receive it. If you would like to unsubscribe or change your email address, please click on the link at the bottom of the email and follow the instructions provided.
NEHGS collects, preserves, and interprets materials to document and make accessible the histories of families in America.
Contents:
* Citation Guidelines for the Register
* Family Photo Reunion Stories Wanted
* Research Recommendations: Names for State Residents
* Name Origins
* Seen Elsewhere
* Spotlight: Sacramento Historic City Cemetery, California
* Stories of Interest
* Classic Reprints
* Upcoming Education Programs
* NEHGS Contact Information
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Citation Guidelines for the Register
If you are thinking of publishing your own work or submitting an article to the The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, you might look at the “Guide to some basic Register citation formats,” newly posted on our website. It provides sample citations for frequently used types of sources, and should make writing your footnotes much easier.
In addition to the citation guide, the main page for the Register has links to the New England Ancestors article on writing a family sketch in Register style, a downloadable template that will help you format a document in MS Word to create a Register article or your own publication, and guidelines for submitting an article to the Register.
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Family Photo Reunion Stories Wanted
For an article in an upcoming issue of New England Ancestors, we are looking for brief stories (300 words or less) of people who found a family photograph through a website or people who reunited an unidentified photo with a family member. Please send your stories to magazine@nehgs.org and include the words “Family Photos” in the subject line. The deadline is May 5. Thank you!
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Research Recommendations: Names for State Residents
by Michael J. Leclerc
When writing about our family’s history, we often will want to describe a person in terms of their place of residence. For example, someone who live his entire life in Akron might be called a native Ohioan. But what do you call someone from New Hampshire? Or Rhode Island? The following list appeared in The Copyeditor’s Handbook, taken from the U.S. Government Printing Office Style Manual, and covers each of the fifty states.
Alabamian
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Louisianian
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Ohioan
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Alaskan
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Mainer
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Oklahoman
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Arizonan
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Marylander
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Oregonian
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Arkansan
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Massachusettsan
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Pennsylvanian
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Californian
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Michiganite
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Rhode Islander
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Colordan
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Minnesotan
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South Carolinian
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Connecticuter
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Mississippian
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South Dakotan
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Delawarean
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Missourian
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Tennessean
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Floridian
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Montanan
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Texan
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Georgian
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Nebraskan
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Utahn
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Hawaiian
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Nevadan
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Vermonter
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Idahoan
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New Hampshirite
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Virginian
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Illinoisan
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New Mexican
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West Virginian
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Iowan
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New Yorker
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Wisconsinite
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Kansan
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North Carolinian
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Wyomingite
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Kentuckian
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North Dakotan
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There may be additional local terms, such as Down Easter for Maine, Bay Stater for Massachusetts, Michiganian or Michigander for Michigan. But those unfamiliar with the term might wonder why you are calling someone from Elkhorn a Cheesehead, so you might want to avoid terms that might be misconstrued.
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Name Origins
by Julie Helen Otto
PRIAM (m): In Homer’s Iliad, Priam was the old King of Troy, father of Hector, Paris, and Cassandra; he was slaughtered by Neoptolemus, son of Achilles, when the city was taken.
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Seen Elsewhere
The following articles may be of interest to you as a family historian. They appeared in recent genealogical and historical periodicals, all available in the NEHGS research library. If you do not have ready access to these publications, you may order copies from the NEHGS Photocopy Service.
Carologue
Vol.23, No. 4, Winter 2007/Spring 2008
South Carolina Historical Society
Steven C. Griffith, Jr.“Joel Roberts Poinsett” (10–13).
A biography of the man who brought the poinsettia from Mexico to the United States in 1828.
Historical Research
Vol.81, No. 212, May 2008
Institute of Historical Research
John Beckett, “Local History, Family History, and the Victoria County History: New Directions for the Twenty-First Century” (350–65).
How a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund is transforming this model history from 1899 into a standard for local history for the future.
Kent Family History Society Journal
Vol. 12, No. 2, March 20008
Kent Family History Society
Alan Ruston, “Tracing Your Unitarian and English Presbyterian Ancestry” (133–7).
Eighth in a series. Alan Ruston shows how to use non-conformist records.
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Spotlight: Sacramento Historic City Cemetery, California
by Valerie Beaudrault
http://www.oldcitycemetery.com/
The Sacramento Historic City Cemetery, which was established in 1849, is the oldest existing cemetery in Sacramento. Captain John Sutter donated 10 acres of land to start the cemetery. It is the final resting place of more than 25,000 individuals, many of them California’s pioneers. Among the more well-known individuals buried in the cemetery are Captain John A. Sutter, Jr., founder of the city of Sacramento; William Stephen Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton’s youngest son; and three California governors.
There are a number of plots where members of various groups have been buried together. These include the Pioneer Association, Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Volunteer Firemen, The Improved Order of Red Men, Donner Party survivors, and veterans of various wars. Among the earliest burials in the cemetery were more than six hundred victims of the 1850 Cholera Epidemic.
The 1850 cholera epidemic was one of the worst that had occurred anywhere. According to the cemetery website, it killed 800–1,000 people in less than three weeks, including 17 of the 40 to 80 physicians practicing in Sacramento at that time. Most of the victims were buried in mass graves in the older cemetery (New Helvetica), which was located near American River. Because this area flooded frequently, these graves were transferred to the City Cemetery.
Click on the Map & Directions link in the site index to access a map of the cemetery with points of interest noted on the map. Brief descriptions of each point of interest have been included.
Click on the History tab and choose the Residents link to access a page with the names of “famous, infamous and just plain extraordinary” residents of the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery. Click on the name links to read biographies of these individuals, written as told on tours of the cemetery. To view photographs of the cemetery – old and more recent – click on the Photo Gallery tab.
Click on the Burial Index 1849–2000 link on the website’s main page to open the Burial Index page. Next click on the Burial Index link to download the alphabetical database. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the records, as the index is in PDF file format. The data fields include the name of the deceased; age; death and/or burial date; volume and page number; lot, tier, and grave; a code denoting type of burial, and birthplace/miscellaneous information. The last column includes such information as military service, cause of death, name of lot in which individual is buried, and other burial location information (i.e. Elizabeth A. Abbott is buried on top of C. A. White). The key for the burial code can be found at the bottom of each page.
This website is maintained by the Old City Cemetery Committee, Inc. The committee was organized in 1986 and incorporated as a not-for profit organization in 2003. Its mission is “To join hands with the community to restore, beautify, preserve and protect the Historic City Cemetery, while maintaining access by descendants of the deceased, and to provide educational services to all visitors to the Historic City Cemetery of Sacramento.”
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Stories of Interest
Revolutionary War Soldier’s Legacy Pieced Together, Item by Item
Boston Globe staff reporter Rachana Rathi discusses how Marian Pierre-Louis and Lois Boyd pieced together the story of Ishmael Coffee, a biracial Revolutionary War soldier from Medway, Massachusetts.
Patchwork Quilt Stitches Together Family’s History
Bob Bowman, of the Tyler Morning Telegraph in Texas, reports on a special gift Teddy Ivy received from his wife — a quilt with the story of generations of his family stitched into it.
New Quilt Adorning Horse Barn, Felices Add a Piece of Family History with Project
Barbara Goldman, staff writer for The Ledger Independent in Maysville, Kentucky, talks about a different family quilt — this one painted on the side of the Felice family’s barn.
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Classic Reprints
Did you know that the NEHGS Sales Department offers library-quality copies of over 10,000 rare and out-of-print books? Some titles ordered by recent customers include:
Desc. of Joseph Francis of Maryland and Virginia (Item P4-H10971)
Salisbury Family of England and America (Item P4-H22932)
Ancestry & Posterity of Richard Williams of Taunton, MA (Item P36072900)
History of Malden, MA, 1633-1785 (Item P27820000)
Sketch of the First Settlement of Long Island, NY (Item P28162500)
You can search the entire Classic Reprints catalog online at www.newenglandancestors.org/28.asp
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Upcoming Education Programs
Each year the Society presents a number of dynamic lectures, seminars, and tours for genealogists and the general public. Programs are held at 101 Newbury Street unless otherwise indicated. For more information, please contact Ryan Woods at 617-226-1226 or rwoods@nehgs.org.
The following programs will be held in April and May 2008:
Families of the Old North Church
Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 6 p.m.
Discover the congregation of the Old North Church in 1775 on the eve of the American Revolution. NEHGS research services coordinator D. Joshua Taylor and staff genealogist Rhonda R. McClure will present the findings of a months'-long research collaboration with historians and educators showing the changing historiography of the church and its families as a revolution dawned in the colonies.
This program is free and open to the public. Please RSVP at 617-226-1226 or rwoods@nehgs.org.
Massachusetts Genealogical Council Annual Seminar
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Bentley College, Waltham, Mass.
The Massachusetts Genealogical Council annual seminar and meeting is April 26th, 2008 at the LaCava Building at Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Director of special projects Michael J. Leclerc and research services coordinator D. Joshua Taylor will be the main track speakers. Michael will be presenting “Online Resources for New England Research.” Josh will be discussing “Essential Technology for Genealogists: What to Buy and How to Buy it” and “Genealogical Networking in Today’s World.” To register, visit http://www.massgencouncil.com/.
Family History in England, Scotland, and Ireland
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Discover your ancestors of England, Scotland, and Ireland with three leading genealogists, Else Churchill, Marie Daly, and David Dearborn. This one-day seminar will identify and demystify the best record sources for finding your 17th, 18th, and 19th century forebears. The seminar will conclude with a roundtable discussion where you can pose your specific genealogical problems.
Early Registration: $95. Standard Registration: $110.
For more information visit www.newenglandancestors.org/Family_History_uk.asp.
New Visitor Welcome & Library Orientation
Saturday, May 3, 2008 , 10:00 AM
New members and the general public are invited to participate in an introduction and orientation to NEHGS, which includes the opportunity to describe your research and have staff genealogists offer general advice on how to proceed. The free thirty-minute introductory lecture will be followed by a tour of the library.
Using NewEnglandAncestors.org
Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 10:00 AM
With over 110 million names in 2,200 databases, NewEnglandAncestors.org is the primary internet resource for New England genealogy. This free lecture will offer an overview of the Society’s website and online databases.
Where Beacon Hill Began
Thursday, May 8, 2008, 6:00 PM
Discover the history and the families of Beacon Hill with New England Historic Genealogical Society and Historic New England. In a three-part illustrated lecture, Christopher C. Child, genealogist of the Newbury Street Press; Scott C. Steward, NEHGS director of publications; and John Winthrop Sears, former Boston City Councilor and Beacon Hill resident, will discuss “The Changing Landscape from 1625,” “Nineteenth-Century Boston Brahmins,” and “Beacon Hill Today.” This dynamic program will present the historical context of Beacon Hill’s physical transformation, the nineteenth-century migration of families to the Hill and its establishment as Boston’s elite residential neighborhood, plus perspectives on Beacon Hill in the twenty-first century. Program attendees will also receive special discounted tickets for Beacon Hill walking tours, given by Historic New England on Saturdays, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., May through October.
RSVP at rwoods@nehgs.org or call 617-226-1226
Researching in Federal Records
Wednesday, May 14, 2008, 10:00 AM
In preparation for a Society day tour to the National Archives in Waltham, NEHGS will host Walter V. Hickey of the NARA, Northeast Region office for a tips and techniques lecture. Walter will offer a free one-hour program highlighting the use of census records, naturalization records, and passenger lists for your genealogical research.
The Boston Italians
May 17, 2008, 10:00 AM
Stephen Puleo, author of Dark Tide and Due to Enemy Action, will offer a free talk on his new book The Boston Italians: A Story of Pride, Perseverance and Paesani, from the Years of the Great Immigration to Present Day. Mr. Puleo will offer a book signing following his lecture.
Seminars and Tours
For more information or to register for any of these events, please contact Ryan Woods at 617-226-1226 or rwoods@nehgs.org.
National Archives Research Day
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The National Archives Northeast Region in Waltham, Massachusetts, holds a treasure trove of genealogical material. Join NEHGS staff experts for a day of guided research and consultations at NARA. Highlights of the collection include federal census records 1790-1930, Revolutionary War records and extensive passenger lists.
Registration fee: $75 per person (includes lunch).
For more information or to register, please call Ryan Woods at 617-226-1226 or visit www.newenglandancestors.org/5286.asp.
Quebec Research Tour
Sunday, June 15–Sunday, June 22, 2008
Celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec by joining NEHGS staff experts Michael J. Leclerc and Pauline Cusson for a research week in Montreal, Quebec. This unique opportunity will allow participants to take advantage of two premier Canadian repositories, the Société Généalogique Canadienne-Française (SGCF) and the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ). These archives hold documents from the earliest settlement of Quebec through the English period, down to the twentieth century. Participants will receive one-on-one consultations, providing guidance and suggestions for research. Whether your ancestors spoke French or English, the archival records will help you to break through your brick walls and discover where they came from.
Registration Fees (includes seven nights lodging at the Hôtel Les Suites Labelle): Single, $1,550; Double, $1,350; Double with non-participant, $1,850; Commuter, $775 (no lodging).
For more information visit www.newenglandancestors.org/events/3467.asp.
Come Home to New England
#1 Monday, June 23–Saturday, June 28, 2008
#2 Monday, August 11–Saturday, August 16, 2008
The staff of the New England Historic Genealogical Society invites you to participate in our classic intensive week-long program, Come Home to New England. Research your roots with expert assistance at the extensive NEHGS library, one of the premier facilities for genealogical records in the world. Whether you are a first-time participant or have enjoyed this program in the past, you are sure to benefit from a visit to our library and extended time with our staff of professional genealogists as they welcome you “home” to New England. Throughout the week of guided research, you will have the opportunity for one-on-one consultations, daily lectures and special extended library hours. Registration fee $750, $125 for non-participating guest.
For more information, visit www.newenglandancestors.org/events/3468.asp.
Salt Lake City Research Tour
Sunday, November 2–Sunday, November 9, 2008
Join NEHGS for our thirtieth annual research tour to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Along with more than 70 other participants you are invited to take part in an intensive week of research where you will be aided by expert staff. Daily programming also includes computer tutorials for accessing the library card catalog, research tips and techniques lectures, personalized consultations and group dinning events.
For more information visit: www.newenglandancestors.org/events/247.asp.
For more information about NEHGS programs, visit http://www.newenglandancestors.org/programs_events.asp or email mailto:tours@nehgs.org.
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NEHGS Contact Information
We encourage you to email this newsletter to others who might be interested. To subscribe or view back issues of eNews, please visit www.newenglandancestors.org/publications/eNews.asp.
NEHGS eNews, like all of our programs, is made possible through the generous contributions of our members. For more information about giving to NEHGS visit www.newenglandancestors.org/581.asp.
To view the website of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, please visit http://www.newenglandancestors.org/.
To become a member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, please visit http://www.newenglandancestors.org/580.asp.
Copyright 2008, New England Historic Genealogical Society
101 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116
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