Online Course: Researching New Netherland Ancestors
This three-week online course will explore the history of New Netherland and New Amsterdam, a crossroads for people from Europe, Africa, and the Americas. We'll point you to key genealogical resources and demonstrate several research strategies using a variety of case studies. Live Broadcasts: April 14, 21, and 28
Join us Thursday, April 22 for a gala benefit event honoring The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH, in conversation with Her Majesty’s Consul General to New England Dr. Peter Abbott OBE. The evening will also feature special presentations by event hosts D. Brenton Simons and Ryan J. Woods.
This new database is based on a book available in our library, St. Mary’s Cemetery Newton, Massachusetts: Epitaphs, compiled by Beverly E. Hurney. In 2020, Lynn Farnell and volunteers from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church created an index to the birth and death information in this volume and generously donated it to NEHGS to create this online database.
Join us Tuesday, April 27, for insight on the literary titan Philip Roth from biographer Blake Bailey and JHC guest moderator professor Michael Hoberman. On April 29, playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes discusses her upbringing and family influences with journalist Maria Hinojosa. Find out about these and other upcoming author events!
Robinson Cemetery, established in 1850, is located in the village of Pocahontas in Bond County, in south-central Illinois. Click "Cemetery Database" under the Search Cemetery tab to open the search page, and enter a name, date range, or gravesite location. Click "View" in the search results to see the detailed record. Data fields include name of the deceased, grave location, dates of birth and death, age, gender, and lot owner. The search page includes a link to an interactive map of the cemetery; hover over map entries to view gravesite location details and the names of the interred and lot purchasers.
Andrew Searle Pang wrote "In praise of maiden aunts," and Boston Archdiocese archivist Thomas Lester described the project to put Boston's Catholic cemetery records online. Zachary Garceau examined the controversy over President Chester A. Arthur's birthplace; Christopher C. Child began a series on the Paine families of Putnam and Woodstock, Connecticut; and Hallie Borstel offered a mini primer on names and nicknames.
What We’re Reading
The Lives of Others Two women gave birth on the same day in Come By Chance, Newfoundland. Half a century later, their children made a shocking discovery.
Last week's survey asked about letters written by your grandparents or earlier generations of your ancestors. We received 3,402 responses. The results are:
63%, Yes, I know letters written by at least one of my grandparents exist.
41%, Yes, I know letters written by at least one of my great-grandparents exist.
25%, Yes, I know letters written by at least one of my great-great-grandparents exist.
31%, Yes, I know letters written by at least one ancestor from an earlier generation exist.
17%, No, I don’t believe any letters written by my grandparents or ancestors from earlier generations exist.
This week's question asks about the greatest number of lines of descent you have from one ancestor. Take the survey now
Want to share your thoughts on the survey with us? We are always happy to hear from our readers. Email us at weeklygenealogist@nehgs.org. Responses may be edited for clarity and length and featured in a future newsletter.
Readers Respond: Ancestors’ Letters
By Lynn Betlock, Editor
Last week's survey asked about letters written by your grandparents or earlier generations of your ancestors. Thank you to the many people who replied and sent stories. Below is a selection of reader responses.
Frances Taylor of San Francisco, California: A number of letters written by my ancestor Frances Delia Sawyer Elder McIntire (1798–1870) survive. My favorite is a welcome letter she wrote to Eliza Emily Ensign, the new wife of her grandson (my ancestor) Lucius Moffatt Elder in 1866. Frances wanted Eliza to understand that it is women who run the world.
Sally Hall of Weaver, Alabama: I have a letter that was sent to my great-great-grandmother, Bonnie Atwood, from her cousin. The cousin wanted to write a book on the Atwood family and asked to borrow a locket containing a picture of Bonnie’s parents to have a copy made for the book. According to a notation on the letter, Bonnie did send the locket, but, sadly, she never got a copy of the book, nor was the locket ever returned.
Phyllis Jo Johnson of Springdale, Arkansas: I have a copy of a letter that my British grandfather, Hugh Macintosh Greason, living in London, wrote to his daughters when Britain declared war on Germany by Britain in 1939. I was struck by his stiff upper lip British attitude. His concluding words were: "May God bless and take care of you all down there (in Exeter) . . . Keep your tails up and like all the other British all over the world, ‘don't get down beaten.’ Be brave and faithful in prayer and trust in God. All the love of your loving Mums and Dads to you all."
Carolyn Stetson of Castleton-on-Hudson, New York: We had a letter written by my great-grandmother’s younger brother. The family story was he died in the Boer War. In the letter, sent from Invercargill, New Zealand, in 1896, he asked for money because he couldn’t find work. He had crewed on a merchant ship and jumped ship six months earlier. We found his descendants in New Zealand and sent them the letter.
Howland S. Davis II of Akron, Ohio: I have letters written by my paternal grandfather and grandmother while he was serving in France during World War I. I confess that I have not read them. I don't know why I am hesitant, but I am; maybe I don't want to mess with my impression of them as older people. But I plan to read them and scan them for my siblings and first cousins. It is my next project.
Spring Your Research Forward! $20 Off New Membership
Find out how American Ancestors can help you take the next steps in your family history research! Get $20 off your new membership using the code April0421. Join Now
