Piecing Together the Story: Analyzing Records and Drawing Conclusions
In this five-week online seminar you’ll learn how to slow down and scrutinize each record you find. Our genealogists will provide resources, strategies, and in-depth examples to demonstrate the rich stories and information that can uncovered when analyzing records. Learn More
$25 Off New American Ancestors Memberships
Join American Ancestors today and save $25 on your membership cost. An American Ancestors membership offers access to billions of searchable names on our website, a subscription to American Ancestors magazine, discounts on books and research for hire, and more! Use code Aug25 at checkout. Join Today
The Weekly Genealogist Survey
This Week's Survey:
Ancestors Who Were Orphans
Share your thoughts about the survey! Please limit submissions to 150 words or fewer. Your submission may be featured in an upcoming newsletter or shared on social media; please note in your email if you do not want your story to be shared. Published responses may be edited for clarity and length.
82%, I have at least one ancestor who was born in Massachusetts.
85%, I have at least one ancestor who lived in Massachusetts.
18%, I was born in Massachusetts.
14%, I live in Massachusetts.
20%, I used to live in Massachusetts.
66%, I have visited Massachusetts.
19%, I plan to visit Massachusetts.
16%, I have a connection to Massachusetts not mentioned above.
3%, I have no connection to Massachusetts and have never visited the state.
Readers Respond
Edwin W. Strickland II, New Britain, Connecticut: In 1793, my 4th great-grandfather moved from New London, Connecticut, to the East Eleven Thousand Acres (now part of Otis); he purchased land there and in nearby Sandisfield. In 1800, he deeded the East Eleven Thousand Acres land to his son Daniel, who built his home there. I grew up in that house. My father and I sold the last 80 acres that we owned in 2010.
Janet Fulton, Woodland, California: My husband is from Hingham, Massachusetts, and I am from San Rafael, California. We have been married twenty years. Through genealogical research, we learned recently that I descend from Hingham's colonial founders and that my husband’s great-grandmother was born and raised in the small Northern California city where we now live. His 3rd great-grandfather is buried in a cemetery within walking distance of our home. My husband previously believed that his great-grandmother was born in Massachusetts. I, having visited Hingham many times, had no idea that my ancestors founded it. I based my successful Colonial Dames 17th Century application on descending from a Hingham founder to give me some cred with my New England family.
Sue Pochotko, Roseville, Michigan: My grandfather and his brother both came to Massachusetts from Arce, Italy, in the 1920s. They settled in Worcester, but then my grandfather moved to Detroit and got a job working for Ford Motor Company. My grandmother and aunt came from Italy to join him. Growing up, I was told I had family in Boston, and after many years of research, I found them. My cousin and I drove to Worcester to finally meet our cousins. We had a wonderful reunion, and we continue to keep in touch.
Matthew Robare, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts: My ancestor Major Simon Willard immigrated to Massachusetts from Kent in 1634. He helped explore the Merrimack Valley, speculated in land, traded with the Native Americans (they supposedly gave him a name meaning "Founder of Towns"), and co-founded Concord, Massachusetts. Land he owned in Still River, Mass., was still being farmed by his descendants as of 2023.
Tim Hamman, Schaumburg, Illinois: Much of my family genealogy has connections to the city of Boston and the state of Massachusetts. My 10th great-grandfather was Ezekiel Cheever (1614-1708). He was a well-known headmaster of Boston Latin School, which was to become one of the oldest public schools in the United States. His most famous pupil was Cotton Mather, who gave the eulogy at his funeral. He wrote one of the earliest textbooks in America, Accidence, A Short Introduction to the Latin Tongue. He is buried in the Granary Burial Ground in Boston.
Database News
New Database: The New Hampshire Genealogical Record
We are excited to announce a new database containing thirty volumes of The New Hampshire Genealogical Record journal. The database contains 135,321 names and 6,412 pages. The journal offers a variety of source records as well as genealogical articles on hundreds of families with New Hampshire ties. This database was created in partnership with the New Hampshire Society of Genealogists. New volumes will be added as their indexes become available.
The Number of Shakers in the U.S. Rises to 3 The last remaining active Shaker community is the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester, Maine. “Until a few months ago, there were only two members. Now, a third has joined the celibate Christian sect.”
Spotlight: The Digital Archives of Brossard Memorial Library, Ohio
by Valerie Beaudrault
The Brossard Memorial Library, which serves Gallia County, is located in southern Ohio. The county is seated in the village of Gallipolis. The library has made several newspaper resources available in its Digital Archives. The collection comprises more than 444,000 pages from ten newspapers, including Gallipolis Daily Tribune (1895-2022), Times Sentinel (1966-2019), Gallia Times (1946-1966), The Gallipolis Daily Tribune (2019-2021), and Gallipolis Tribune (1901-1902). The database can be searched by keyword or browsed. Search Now
Upcoming FREE In-Person Event, August 29
August Adventures at American Ancestors
Come explore American Ancestors and the Family Heritage Experience for free! Part of August Adventures (sponsored by Highland Street Foundation), our open house is perfect for family historians of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. Learn More
Upcoming Lectures, Courses, Tours, and More
September 18—Free Online Lecture with David Allen Lambert
As a family historian, you know that wills are important in your research—but have you created a will for yourself? Free Will, an easy and free online will creation tool, will guide you step-by-step through identifying beneficiaries for your assets, supporting the causes that are important to you, and planning for the preservation of your research. Learn More
