Thank you for registering for the online conference, Massachusetts Research: Four Centuries of History and Genealogy!
Whether your family connection to Massachusetts is 400 years old or 40, there is a treasure trove of genealogical resources waiting for you: vital records have been kept by towns since the early seventeenth century; newspapers have existed since colonial times; and there are thousands of published genealogies, local histories, study projects, and other references that exist for Massachusetts research. This online course will provide a century-by-century look at the records, resources, repositories, and research strategies that are essential to exploring your Massachusetts roots. We will also look at the historical context, settlement patterns, and migrations into—and out of—the state; from colony to Commonwealth.
Program includes access to 5+ hours’ worth of pre-recorded instructional video, handouts, and other materials. You will have access to all of these materials for the foreseeable future.
RECORDED PRESENTATIONS & MATERIALS
Class 1: 17th-Century Massachusetts Research
17th-century Massachusetts colonists are some of the most researched and written-about group of people on the planet, but there remain research challenges: distinguishing people with the same name, understanding unique record sets, and more. This first class will look at the beginnings of Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth Colony and the people who inhabited the lands prior to colonization, provide an overview of the many published genealogical resources and record transcriptions available, demonstrate how to locate and utilize primary sources, and discuss how to overcome common research challenges.
Presented by David Allen Lambert
Running time: 1:25:01
Class 2: 18th-Century Massachusetts Research
The 18th century was a transformative and foundational period for Massachusetts: continued colonial conflicts, movement westward, revolution, the abolition of slavery, and ultimately statehood. This session will look at just some of the many records of the era—pre and post American independence—including military records, tax lists, census records, newspapers, city directories, and more.
Presented by Melanie McComb
Running time: 55:47
Class 3: 19th-Century Massachusetts Research
Massachusetts experienced even more transformation in the 19th century, from the industrial revolution to the Civil War to an increase of immigration from Canada, the British Isles, Germany, Italy, Eastern Europe, and beyond. This class will look at the start of the state census, the age of the passenger list, pension files, expanded vital records, published genealogies and local histories, and less commonly used records.
Presented by Hallie Kirchner
Running time: 1:02:52
Class 4: 20th-Century Massachusetts Research
Continued urbanization and industrialization characterized much of 20th-century Massachusetts. This final session will look at records that emerge in the 20th century—and the changes in records and record keeping that persisted since the 17th century, with particular attention to the topic of “access.”
Presented by Danielle Cournoyer
Running time: 48:27
Class 5: Planning Your Personal Research Tour to Massachusetts
Massachusetts is teeming with historical societies, archives, libraries, and genealogical societies, such as American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society. Learn how to prepare for and make the most of your time researching in The Bay State.
Presented by Lindsay Fulton
Running time: 54:43
Live Q&A with the Instructors
Live broadcast: July 15, 2023
Running time: 1:37:37
Additional Resources mentioned during the live Q&A
OTHER RESOURCES
Research Guide: Massachusetts Research
Research Guide: Massachusetts Town Guide
Research Guide: 17th Century New England Research
Bookstore: Explore all titles related to Massachusetts
Webinar: Boston Historic Catholic Records Online
Webinar: Boston Research and Records
Webinar: Reading the Gravestones of Early New England
Webinar: Spilling the Tea: Researching Boston Tea Party Patriots
Webinar: Verifying Descent from Salem's Accused Witches
INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Danielle Cournoyer, Researcher earned a Masters in history with a focus on public history from the University of Massachusetts-Boston and a B.A. in history at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. Before joining American Ancestors in 2016, Danielle worked at several Boston area cultural institutions including the Museum of Fine Arts and The Church of the Presidents in Quincy. She has also worked on behalf of The Arlington Historical Commission in drafting a proposal for the designation of a historic district. Her areas of expertise is urban development and preservation, transit and westward migration in the United States, the lineage society application process and Mayflower descendant research.
Lindsay Fulton, Vice President for Research and Library Services, joined the Society in 2012, first a member of the Research Services team, and then a Genealogist in the Library. She has been the Director of Research Services since 2016. In addition to helping constituents with their research, Lindsay has also authored a Portable Genealogists on the topics of Applying to Lineage Societies, the United States Federal Census, 1790-1840 and the United States Federal Census, 1850-1940. She is a frequent contributor to the American Ancestors blog, Vita-Brevis, and has appeared as a guest on the Extreme Genes radio program. Before, American Ancestors, Lindsay worked at the National Archives and Records Administration in Waltham, Massachusetts, where she designed and implemented an original curriculum program exploring the Chinese Exclusion Era for elementary school students. She holds a B.A. from Merrimack College and M.A. from the University of Massachusetts-Boston Her areas of expertise include New England and New York research, with a focus on lineage society applications.
Hallie Kirchner, Genealogist has a B.A. in History with minors in Art History and German Language and an M.A. in Historic Preservation. She joined American Ancestors in 2019 after several years of working in architectural restoration and preservation in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her previous work experience includes the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society, the West Virginia Railroad Museum, and Bender Library at American University. While at the NYG&B, she was part of the research team who compiled the popular New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer. She is also a long-time volunteer for Unclaimed-Persons.org, assisting coroners in locating next-of-kin of deceased individuals. Her areas of expertise include, 19th-century America, Germany, New York, New York City, Norway, Italy, westward migration, immigration history, and descendancy research.
David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist has been on the staff of American Ancestors since 1993 and is the organization’s Chief Genealogist. David is an internationally recognized speaker on the topics of genealogy and history. Lambert has published many articles in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, the New Hampshire Genealogical Record, Rhode Island Roots, Mayflower Descendant, and American Ancestors magazine. He has authored and or co-authored in the published genealogies presented to David McCullough, Ken Burns, Angela Lansbury, Michael and Kitty Dukakis, Nathaniel Philbrick, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. He has also published eleven books including A Guide to Massachusetts Cemeteries (American Ancestors, 2018), and Vital Records of Stoughton, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1850 (Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, 2008). David received his B.A. in History from Northeastern University. David is an elected Fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston, Mass., and a life member of the New Hampshire Society of the Cincinnati and the General Society of the War of 1812. David also serves as the tribal genealogist for the Massachusett Tribe at Punkapoag in Massachusetts.
Melanie McComb, Genealogist assists library visitors, both on-site and online, with their family history research. She is an international lecturer who teaches on a variety of topics. Melanie holds a B.S. degree from the State University of New York at Oswego. She previously served as the social media coordinator for the NextGen Genealogy Network, a non-profit that creates a community for younger genealogists, where she managed the Facebook and Twitter accounts. She continues her interest in helping younger genealogists get involved at American Ancestors by assisting with educational programs from local schools, scout groups, and universities.