Derry Public Library

Since Nutfield was both the towns of Derry and Londonderry, I can’t miss giving you information on the holdings at the Derry Public Library. Last week, I blogged about the genealogy resources in Londonderry at the Leach Public Library. Today it’s Derry’s turn! If you are researching a Nutfield family, you might also consider the resources in Windham, New Hampshire. Most of Windham was formerly part of Nutfield.

The public library in Derry is located at 64 East Broadway, between the Masonic Temple and MacGregor park. You can speak with a reference librarian at 603-432-6140, FAX your questions at 603-432-6128, or email at derrylib@derrypl.org . The website is http://www.derry.lib.nh.us/index.htm . The Derry library opened first in 1905, but was expanded in 1990 with a new collection triple the previous size. Computers, internet, microfilm readers and reference librarians are available for you use during regular library hours. The card catalog is available on line.

The vital records (births, marriages and deaths) from annual town reports have been extracted and are available at the reference librarian’s desk. This will save you from searching through many years of books! Bound copies of many nearby towns’ vital records and histories are available, too.

There is a guide to Forest Hill Cemetery, the only municipal cemetery in Derry. There are many Derry histories on the shelves, including all the newer books by Derry’s town historian, Richard Holmes. Local genealogy books include the Adams, Kilburn, Graham, Pettingell, Ward, Richardson, Dunlap, Eaton, Hawes, Thorndike, families. See the card catalog for more. There is also a folder of Alan Shepard family papers.

Available on microfilm are the Sanborn Insurance Maps for Derry (1921-1950) and Derry Depot (1887-1902), The Union Leader and the Derry News newspapers (great for obituaries back to 1881!)

On line resources through the Derry Library are Ancestry.com, Heritage Quest, NEHGS database, as well as other reference data bases. There are limited computers, available on a first come, first serve basis.

Other local resources are:

The Derry Museum of History http://www.derrymuseum.org/

Rockingham County Register of Deeds- official records back to 1643, deeds, mortgages, liens,etc., http://www.nhdeeds.com/ physical address: 10 Rt. 125, Brentwood, NH 03833, mailing address: PO Box 896, Kingston, NH 03848

Peabody Funeral Home Obituaries http://www.peabodyfuneralhome.com/Obituaries.htm

The Nesmith Library, Windham’s Public Library, www.nesmithlibrary.org

Windham Historical Society, PO Box 441, Windham, New Hampshire

Windham, New Hampshire Town Museum- www.windhamnewhampshire.com/updated/museum.htm

See my blog on January 4, 2010 for the Leach Library Genealogical Resources (Londonderry)

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Copyright 2010, Heather Wilkinson Rojo