In this online workshop, our experts will demonstrate how to manage your own records digitization project at home. Topics include planning your project, equipment you'll need, scanning your documents, file management, and basic image editing. July 23 at 2 p.m. (ET). Register Now
Online Seminar—Last Chance!
Tracing Ancestors on the Move in America
This four-session seminar will help you research difficult-to-track ancestors who moved to new places, and give you context for migrations across America from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Live broadcasts: August 3, 10, 17, and 24 at 6 p.m. (ET). Register Now
Spotlight: Obituaries, North Madison County Public Library, IN
by Valerie Beaudrault
The North Madison County Public Library is located in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana. The library's online obituary database includes records from Daily Press (January 1893–October 1896), Daily Record (December 1896–December 1910, August 1911), Elwood Free Press (January 1893–December 1909), and Elwood Call-Leader (June 1904–present). Data fields include name, dates of birth/death, source date, age, maiden name, attached obituary, and additional details. When available, images are linked under the attached obituary column. Click "More Details" to view the full record. Search Now
Program in Boston
Come Home to New England
Work closely with our experts to advance your family history at our Research Center in Boston. In-person program includes a tour, daily lectures, consultations, and more. Discount for members.
Hear from author and cocktail expert Camper English about the surprising connections between alcohol and historical medicine. Includes signed copy of Doctors and Distillers. Members Save 10%. August 22 at 6 p.m. (ET).
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: Firefighters in the Family
By Jean Powers, Senior Editor
Last week's survey asked if any of your ancestors or relatives were firefighters. Thank you to everyone who replied. Below is a selection of reader responses.
Bob Evans, Pepper Pike, Ohio: My 3rd-great-grandfather, James Lloyd (1810-1865), a stone mason, emigrated from Wales to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1832, and signed up for the all-volunteer city fire department. In 1837 he became marshal of the Cataract Engine Company #5. He served with that company for 25 years until 1861, when, at age 52, he enlisted with Battery G, 1st Regiment Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery. I recently visited the Cleveland Fire Museum and was thrilled to imagine my grandfather using the 1852 Button Hand Pump.
Neil Ashton, Brewer, Maine: My great-grandfather, Martin Augustus Ward (1854-1930), left the Maine woolen mills for a policeman job in Lewiston. After several years pounding a beat, he developed foot problems. The city transferred him to the fire department, where he developed an affinity for the horses. He exercised the horses by running them up and down side streets—to the delight of the neighborhood children—then returned to the fire-barn to rinse the horses off and put them away for the night.
Linda Mathew, Essex, Connecticut: My great-grandfather, Herbert Granville Lee, was a founding member of the Pawtuxet Volunteer Fire Company in Rhode Island, established in 1891 and incorporated in 1896. The ladies’ auxiliary prepared food and coffee for the men when they returned from fighting fires. Herbert served as chief until age 81, when the position was “recodified by law.” Later that year, on June 2, 1944, he was appointed Honorary Chief for Life.
Kristin Hall Sliwicki, Madison, Wisconsin: My ancestor, William Rogers (d. 1784), a hatter, was among the earliest members of the Ancient and Honorable Mechanical Company of Baltimore. This organization, established in 1763, is recognized as the city's first fire company. Four generations of my Rogers ancestors were members of the Mechanicals—William, Jacob, William, and Seth—until 1858, when the city disbanded the volunteer fire companies and formed the Baltimore City Fire Department.
Database News
New Searchable Suffolk County, MA Probate File Papers
This week we’re announcing the addition of 232,885 new file papers to our Suffolk County, Massachusetts: Probate File Papers database. This update adds probate case numbers 43718-49999.This database was created from digital images and indexes contributed to American Ancestors/NEHGS by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives. The probate cases include wills, guardianships, administrations, and various other types of probate records. Search Now
Your Legacy. Your Peace of Mind.
Your Free Will.
Family historians know the importance of wills for research purposes—but have you created a will for yourself? A legal will ensures that your hard work will have an impact on future generations and your legacy will be preserved. Identify beneficiaries for your assets, support the causes that are important to you, and plan for the preservation of your research through this easy and free online will creation tool from our friends at Free Will. The step-by-step guided process takes just 20 minutes or less to complete. Learn More
