Join American Ancestors/NEHGS experts at the Massachusetts Archives for a day of genealogical research! The archives hold the official records created by the state government. June 3 at 9 a.m. (ET). Register Now
Upcoming Virtual American Inspiration Author Events
Two Authors Look at Their Family History
On June 7, New York Times bestselling author Ann Leary presents The Foundling, her new novel inspired by a discovery in her family’s history. On June 20, the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Annette Gordon-Reed discusses On Juneteenth and the intersection of her Texas childhood, her research, and this new national holiday. Learn More
Spotlight: Johnston County Heritage Center, North Carolina
by Valerie Beaudrault
Johnston County is located in central North Carolina, and Smithfield is its county seat. The Johnston County Heritage Center provides the following databases: census records (1850-1940), newspaper obituaries (1801-present), Smithfield Herald headlines (1885-2007), Johnston County slave name index, two marriage indexes, an index of Confederate veterans from Johnston County, and a voter registration records index (1902). A link to the Johnston County Register of Deeds database is also included. Search Now
Free Online Lecture
New England Town Records
Genealogist Ann Lawthers will explore getting the most out of New England town records in your family history research.
Dr. Christopher Ridgway, Curator at Castle Howard, will survey gardens across Yorkshire and chronicle the development of the landscape at Castle Howard. May 24 & 31 at 1 p.m. (ET).
A 60 Minutes segment features the story of a Virginia property that was purchased by Fred Miller for his large extended family's frequent get-togethers.
Next Time You Talk to Your Grandparents, Hit Record “I was recording [my grandmother’s] voice under the guise of work — I wanted her recipe and backstory for my book — but really, I was doing it for posterity’s sake.”
17 Job Titles in Victorian Slang “In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a trend emerged in English slang for bestowing mock 'titles' on people employed or engaged in various jobs or pursuits.”
The Weekly Genealogist Survey
Last week's survey asked if any members of your family collected a particular type of item for more than one generation. We received 2,649 responses. The results are:
25%, Yes, two generations of my family members have collected a particular type of item.
10%, Yes, three generations of my family members have collected a particular type of item.
4%, Yes, four or more generations of my family members collected a particular type of item.
61%, No, none of my family members have collected a particular type of item over multiple generations.
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: Generations of Collectors
By Lynn Betlock, Editor
Last week's survey asked if your family collected a particular type of item for more than one generation. Thank you to everyone who replied. Below is a selection of reader responses.
Martha Rheaume, Franklin, New Hampshire: My grandfather, Estle E. Kennedy, exchanged postcards across the U.S. in the early twentieth century. He was an amateur photographer and printed some of his photos as postcards. My grandfather ended up with so many postcards from his exchanges that he made albums for five of his children. As a child, I also had a scrapbook of collected postcards. More recently I have purchased postcards online. I’ve been thrilled to receive a few that were sent and signed by “E.E. Kennedy.”
Ronald Miller, Madison, Wisconsin: My Great-aunt Lucille was our family’s favorite aunt. She never had children and was widowed in her fifties. She was the keeper of the family records and had been an avid stamp collector since the 1920s. She wrote to relatives frequently and always enclosed a few stamps for the kids. When I was 11, she sent me a large box in the mail. I was shocked and elated to find that it contained her stamp collection. I later learned that of her 22 grandnieces and nephews I was the only one who bought an album for the stamps she had sent and acquired stamps on my own. (I rode my bike to the post office to buy new stamps when they were issued.) Not long before she died, when I was in my 20s, she sent me another box, this time containing the family records!
Brandy Ciraldo, Glastonbury, Connecticut: My mother’s family had many generations of Pfaltzgraff kitchenware. The family moved all around the Northeast for my grandpa’s job but when they moved to Pennsylvania near a Pfaltzgraff factory outlet, they went nuts. Every time I see one of those distinct Pfaltzgraff patterns, I am reminded of my mom, aunts, and Gramma.
Roger Barnes, Webster Groves, Missouri: When I was about 10, my father found a rare 1909 VDB penny in the church collection. I was fascinated. I found out that his mother had collected a few coins and he worked on his own collection, which was passed down to me. I continued with it and, although my collection is small, I think it is fun to hold coins that my grandmother and father had found and saved.
Database News
New Towns in Massachusetts: Vital Records, 1620-1850
Today we’re announcing the addition of vital records from 35 new towns in western Massachusetts to Massachusetts: Vital Records, 1620-1850. This update adds over 449,800 names and was drawn from the Corbin Collection. Search Now
The Great Migration Study Project Sails On!
A first volume of new research on immigrant arrivals to New England from 1636-1638 will be published in early 2023. This volume, researched by Ian Watson, will contain letters A-Be for these years. As planned, research will continue for the foreseeable future to cover those who arrived through the year 1640. Learn more about the Great Migration Study Project
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
