Brenton Simons interviews Donna Curtain, Executive Director of Pilgrim Hall Museum, about her ongoing work to present the enduring story of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. Learn more about the museum, its activities, and upcoming exhibits. Watch Now
In-Person Research Tour
Day Trip to the Massachusetts State Archives
Join American Ancestors experts at the Massachusetts Archives for a day of genealogical research! The Massachusetts Archives collection dates from the beginning of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1628 and holds the official records created by the Massachusetts state government. June 3 at 9 a.m. (ET). Register Now
Online Seminar
Making the Most of the U.S. Federal Census
There’s more to the census than you think! This five-week course will teach you how to leverage the information found in population—and non-population—schedules more fully and more accurately. Live sessions: June 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 6 p.m. (ET). Register Now
Spotlight: Digital Archive, Meade County Public Library, Kentucky
by Valerie Beaudrault
Meade County is located in north central Kentucky and Brandenburg is its county seat. The Meade County Public Library has made a digital archive available on its website. The newspapers in the archive include Meade County Messenger (1900–2005), Pioneer (1980–1990), and Messenger (1984–1987). Additional resources comprise Court Order Books (1824-1873), Will Books (1824–1890), Grantor and Grantee indexes To Deeds (1824), and Deed Books (1824–1875). You can search the archive by keywords and limit your search by date. Click the title link in the search results to view the page images. The database can also be browsed. Search Now
Free Online Lecture
Julia Morgan: Trailblazing Architect
Join biographer Victoria Kastner as she reveals the inspiring story of Julia Morgan, the first renowned female architect in history. June 3 at 4 p.m. (ET).
New York Times bestselling author Ann Leary uncovers the dark history of eugenics in her own family history, and shares how it inspired her new novel. June 7 at 3 p.m. (ET).
From One Land, Two Families “One determined woman searches for the remains of her enslaved ancestors with help from the descendants of the family that enslaved them.”
Last week's survey asked if you have Quaker ancestors. We received 3,170 responses. The results are:
45%, Yes, I have Quaker ancestors.
35%, No, I have no Quaker ancestors.
19%, I’m not sure if I have any Quaker ancestors.
1%, I am a Quaker.
5%, I have another connection to Quakers.
This week’s survey asks if any of your ancestors or relatives got married during a war. 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: Quaker Connections
By Jean Powers, Senior Editor
Last week's survey asked about your Quaker connections. Thank you to everyone who replied. Below is a selection of reader responses.
Karen L. Pogoloff, Newport News, Virginia: One of my many surprising discoveries while researching at the NEHGS was that I have Quaker ancestry. My ancestors Cassandra Burnell and her husband Lawrence Southwick were imprisoned in 1657 in Salem, Massachusetts, and again in 1658 in Boston. According to the Joseph Southwick Genealogy, "Lawrence and his wife Cassandra went to Shelter Island, Long Island Sound, being banished under pain of death in 1659, and died there in the spring of 1660 from privation and exposure." The Quaker Monument on Shelter Island erected in 1884 bears their names. Governor Endicott attempted to sell their two youngest children, Daniel and Provided, into slavery. I descend from their oldest son John Southwick (1624–1672) as well as Daniel (1637–1719).
Michael Hogan, Georges Mills, New Hampshire: One delightful discovery from my family history research is the rich history of Quakerism on my mother’s side— something we were never aware of growing up Catholic in Cincinnati. My mother has numerous Quaker ancestors from the heavily persecuted early New England communities (most of whom followed the exodus of devout Quakers to Northern New England and then into Upstate New York and beyond in the 18th and early 19th centuries). She is descended from Ann (Stone) (Worley) Pusey, who in 1682 came with her second husband, Caleb Pusey, in the Welcome with William Penn to establish the Quaker-governed colony of Pennsylvania. Ann was accompanied by her two sons from her first marriage to Quaker Henry Worley, including my ancestor, young Henry Worley. Caleb built the first mill for the new settlement, the components of which he had brought aboard the Welcome from England. The house they built during that first year still stands today—the oldest surviving residence in Pennsylvania and the only remaining home known to have hosted William Penn.
Barbara Bradley Petura, Pullman, Washington: My fourth-great-grandmother, Hannah (Baker) Church (born 1775 in Ulster County, New York), converted to the Quaker faith in 1805 and became a highly regarded Quaker minister. Hannah married Caleb Church and they had nine children, including my third-great-grandfather, Benjamin F. Church. None of their children were Quakers as far as I can see. I was pleased to find a Quaker ancestor, given their stance on women's rights and abolition. Hannah died in 1843 and her obituary appeared in a Quaker publication.
Database News
New Volumes for Boston Catholic Records
This week we’re announcing 48 new volumes and 5 updated volumes in Massachusetts: (Image Only) Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston Records, 1789-1920. These new volumes come from St. Mary (Foxborough); St. Joseph (Holbrook); St. Lawrence O’Toole and St. Mary (Lawrence); Immaculate Conception (Marlborough); St. Bridget and St. Casimir (Maynard); St. Mary (Quincy); St. John-St.Hugh and St. Philip (Roxbury); and St. Monica, St. Peter, and St. Vincent de Paul (South Boston). Search Now
Save 20% on All Great Migration Titles through the End of May!
The Great Migration Study Project, founded in 1988 by Robert Charles Anderson, FASG, has been a concise, reliable source of information on New England's earliest settlers. Discover a wealth of information in the Great Migration series and grow your personal collection today! Shop Now
Planning for the Future?
Name Beneficiaries for Your Non-Probate Assets Today
Non-probate assets such as an IRA, 401(k), or life-insurance policy are not covered in your will or trust—you must name beneficiaries separately. Our friends at FreeWill.com have provided a free and secure online tool to guide you through naming beneficiaries for your assets in one easy place. Preserve your legacy, make sure your loved ones are provided for, and support the causes most important to you—get started today! Learn More
