Online Conference: Christian Church Records & Research
For many of our American ancestors, Christianity was at the very center of their universe. The records produced by Christian Churches tell us not only of our ancestor’s religious experience, but also the major events in their life—especially prior to civil registration. Denominations discussed will include: Anabaptist, Baptist, Catholic, Congregational, Episcopal, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Methodist & Methodist Episcopal, Mormon, Presbyterian, Quaker, and Seventh-day Adventist.
Next week: Stanford law professor Richard Thompson Ford walks us down history’s red carpet, examining the canons, mores, and customs of clothing with Peabody Essex Museum curator Petra Slinkard. They will discuss Dress Codes: How the Laws of Fashion Made History, February 18 at 6 p.m. ET. Coming soon: Anna Malaika Tubbs explores mothers who made history through their impactful sons; and historian Russell Shorto shares the story of his family and the mob.
Special Two-Part Episode Featuring Emma Manners, Duchess of Rutland
In Partnership with the Royal Oak Foundation
Part 1: 21st Century Duchess
Exclusive to NEHGS members and guest users! Learn about the Duchess' preservation efforts at Belvoir Castle, and the role women have played in preserving England's heritage for generations. Watch Now
Part 2: Conversation with Emma Manners, Duchess of Rutland
Free to watch! Emma Manners sits down with D. Brenton Simons and Curt DiCamillo to discuss preserving the history of Belvoir Castle, her new podcast "Duchess," and more. Watch Now
Only on AmericanAncestors.org
Mayflower Descendant Volumes 64-68 (2016-20)
Volumes 64 through 68, for the years 2016 through 2020, have been added to the Mayflower Descendant database. This update adds approximately 1,100 new pages and 19,700 searchable names. Launched in 1899, Mayflower Descendant was originally published by the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants. In 2015, New England Historic Genealogical Society assumed stewardship of the venerable journal. It is an essential source of information on many New England families, and its focus is not limited to those with Mayflower lineage. Become a member of American Ancestors to search this and many more exclusive databases.
The city of Bowling Green is located in south-central Kentucky. It is the seat of Warren County. The city has made a burials database available on its website. Fairview Cemetery is a city-owned cemetery that was established in 1864. Click the “Online Burial Search” link in the contents list to begin your search. The index can be searched by last name, first name, year of interment, and veteran status. The data returned in the search results includes name of the deceased, year of birth, dates of death and burial, age, gender, military service, funeral home, and detailed grave location information. Each burial record also has a genealogical information component. Click the Cemetery Maps link to view cemetery section maps.
Free Webinar: Black Families of Revolutionary-era Plymouth, MA
Plymouth’s Mayflower families have been well-studied, but the biographies of the Black men, women, and children who lived in Plymouth are vastly under-represented in historical research. Discover the lives of enslaved and free black Revolutionary War soldiers from Plymouth, Massachusetts. These veterans returned from the war, fought for the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts, and set about the difficult work of building an early American republic where “all men are created equal." Join us Thursday, February 25 at 3 p.m. ET.
Last week's survey asked about stopping work on your genealogical research. We received 3,396 responses. The results are:
4%, Yes, I think I will reach a point when I consider my genealogical research to be complete.
4%, Yes, I think I will reach a point when genealogical research is no longer interesting to me.
26%, Yes, I think that during my lifetime I will pass my genealogical research on to someone else to preserve or continue.
11%, Yes, I think that during my lifetime I will pass my genealogical research on to an organization.
27%, Yes, I believe that I will end my genealogical research due to health issues, age, or other circumstances beyond my control.
67%, No, I think I will continue my genealogical research for the rest of my life.
3%, I have a different opinion not described above.
This week's question asks about your ancestors' experiences with love and marriage. 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: Ending Your Genealogical Research
by Jean Powers
Last week's survey asked if you anticipate eventually stopping work on your genealogical research. Thank you to everyone who replied. Below is a selection of reader responses.
Johanna Becker, Newport, Rhode Island: My research will never be complete because there are brick walls on some direct lines, especially maternal. I intend to one day distribute my research findings to family members. I want to preserve the work, and I hope that someone in a younger generation will take an interest and continue what I started. I also like to help others, so I am often researching a non-relation’s family. I find this work rewarding.
Suzanne Wood, Whitinsville, Massachusetts: After my partner passed in 2017, I needed to sell the house we had shared for 30 years. Not knowing where I was going or how much space I would have, I decided that the safest place for my research would be with NEHGS. I had also donated my mother's research to NEHGS after she passed in 2014. I still have an interest in research and will keep my memberships with NEHGS and several family associations. Every once in a while a new tidbit of information falls into my lap. I don't think I will ever give up genealogical research completely, and I know it will never be what I consider “finished.”
Elizabeth Prosser, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: At age 80 I am still deep into genealogical research and writing. I hope to publish my research within the next two years. I will then work on my father's family, which includes many Revolutionary patriots (I have received DAR approval on 10 applications and am gathering information on another 20). How can I stop when there are still stories to be told?
Paul Veltman, Peoria, Arizona: I recently discovered that a great-aunt was engaged in 1902 to a physician in Greenwich, Connecticut—but in 1908, he married someone else. Why was the wedding called off? Is this the reason she never married? There are other mysteries, almost too many to count. On the front page of each of my projects, under two dancing skeletons, I include my favorite quote (by George Bernard Shaw): “If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance.” Quit researching my ancestors? Never! Letting the skeletons out of the closet and giving them a voice is too much fun.
Join Us at Upcoming Virtual Conferences
February 25-27: RootsTech Connect 2021
For the first time ever, the world’s largest family history conference will be entirely virtual and completely free. Visit our virtual booth and hear presentations from experts David Allen Lambert, Melanie McComb, and Ann Lawthers. Learn More
April 1-May 31: New England Regional Genealogical Conference 2021
This virtual conference will feature speakers, live chats, panel discussions, a virtual exhibit hall, and more. Hear presentations from Drew Bartley, Pam Holland, David Allen Lambert, Melanie McComb, and Meghan Siekman. Learn More
April 9-10: The Bowen Center Spring Conference: Unlocking the Mystery of the Family Emotional History
Featuring guest lecture by American Ancestors and NEHGS Executive Vice President and COO Ryan J. Woods. Learn More
