Gravestone Restoration Project, Turkey Hill Graveyard, Merrimack, New Hampshire

These tombstones were photographed at the Turkey Hill Graveyard in Merrimack, New Hampshire

Back view of the restoration project of the Pratt gravestones

The Turkey Hill Graveyard located at 3 Meetinghouse Road in Merrimack, New Hampshire was mentioned in the town history when in 1754 the community set aside land for the meetinghouse and burying ground.  The meetinghouse used to stand next door, and is now marked with a plaque.  The oldest grave in this cemetery is for Hugh McInnes, dated 1771.  The cemetery is now closed to burials. According to Find A Grave there are over 360 tombstones in the Turkey Hill Graveyard.

Some of the surnames you will find here are ALLD, AIKEN, BUXTON, BARRON, BLOOD, BARNES, CARLTON, CUMMINGS, DANFORTH, FIELDS, FOSTER, GAGE, GIBSON, HAY, HOGMAN, LONGA, McCALLEY, McGILVERY, PRATT, SPAULDING, STEVENS, and WILKINS.

There is a good description of this cemetery, with links to epitaphs, and other interesting information at the New Hampshire Search Roots website:   http://www.nh.searchroots.com/HillsboroughCo/Merrimack/turkeyhill-cemetery.html 

Restoring the tombstone of Catherine Pratt, who died in 1877

Two views of the Wilkins tombstones, which are toppled and broken

More toppled gravestones, some are broken into multiple pieces

This plot is undergoing restoration, too

The Barron Family Plot photographed in 2012

The Barron Family Plot photographed in 2020, the stones have been cleaned

For the truly curious:

A previous blog post about Turkey Hill Graveyard:

The Barron Family Plot:  https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2012/10/tombstone-tuesday-barron-family-plot.html

-------------------------------------

Cite/Link to this post:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Gravestone Restoration Project, Turkey Hill Cemetery, Merrimack, New Hampshire", Nutfield Genealogy, posted September 15, 2020, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2020/09/gravestone-restoration-project-turkey.html: accessed [access date]).

Remembering September 11th

This photo was taken at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado last year when we were there for the General Society of Mayflower Descendants Board of Assistants meeting in Denver.  We took a few days to explore Colorado, where I have never been.  One of our stops was a few days in Colorado Springs.  The Air Force Academy was our first destination.  

This memorial is labeled "In Memory of Our Fellow Graduates Who Have Fallen in Battle".  It was our specific desire to see the carved name of Chuck Jones, who was Vincent's boss and co-worker, and who was on American Airlines Flight 11 on September 11th, 2001.  Chuck not only was a co-worker, he was a 1974 graduate of the Air Force Academy, former Air Force Colonel, an ex-astronaut, an MIT graduate, and a wonderful man. It was a great honor that his death was considered "Fallen in Battle" because he was working for a defense project at the time of this act of terror. 

The chapel of the US Air Force Academy

Charles Edward Jones, wikipedia article:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Edward_Jones    

My 2011 blog post on September 11th:   https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2011/08/remembering-september-11th.html  

--------------------

Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Remembering September 11th", Nutfield Genealogy, posted September 11, 2020, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2020/09/remembering-september-11th.html: accessed [access date]). 

Two Spotted at an Ice Cream Stand in Sterling, Massachusetts - Weathervane Wednesday!

Today's two weathervanes were spotted over the Rota Ice Cream Stand in Sterling, Massachusetts.

Two versions of dairy cows on two weathervanes above the ice cream and farm stand. 

The Rota Spring Farm was established by Giovanni Rota in 1911 in Sterling, Massachusetts. After staying in the family for three generations, the farm and ice cream stand was opened in 1998 by a grandson.  The farm suffered a devastating fire in 2018 and lost a two story barn, but no animals were lost.  You can visit the farm animals, and there are hay rides and pumpkin picking seasonally.

There are two small weathervanes above the ice cream stand.  Both are dairy cows.The black and white cow on the taller cupola stands out against the sky better, and you'll probably notice it first.  The other shiny, metal cow is harder to spot.

This farm produces its own ice cream in delicious and unique, seasonal, and local flavors such as lavender, pumpkin, and peach.  It's delicious!  I grew up in Holden, a contiguous town, and my Mom still lives nearby.  We like to treat her to a drive to the Rota Farm for ice cream in the summertime.

The Rota Family Tree:

Generation 1: Ferdinando Rota, born about 1860 in Italy, married Maria.

Generation 2: John (Giovanni) Rota, born 10 October 1881 in Almanno, San Bartolomeo, Bergamo, Italy, died 24 February 1938 in Sterling, Massachusetts; married to Marcella Massonlini. Three children:  Ernesto Pietro Rota (1914 - 1970), Gino Rota (1922 - 1922), and James Henry Rota (1925 - 1988).


For the truly curious:

Rota Spring Farm Homemade Ice Cream  http://www.rotaspringfarm.com/

Rota Spring Farm Ice Cream Facebook page   https://www.facebook.com/Rotaspringfarmicecream/

-------------------

Cite/Link to this post:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Two Spotted at an Ice Cream Stand in Sterling, Massachusetts - Weathervane Wednesday!", Nutfield Genealogy, posted September 9, 2020, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2020/09/two-spotted-at-ice-cream-stand-in.html: accessed [access date]).

Robert and Sarah Alexander, buried in Dunbarton, New Hampshire - Tombstone Tuesday

These two tombstones were photographed at the Center Cemetery in Dunbarton, New Hampshire

ERECTED

In memory of

Mr. ROBERT ALEXANDER,

who died

March 3, 1818

In the 93 year

of his age.

Stop passenger as you go by

Remember you are born to die. 

Erected

in memory of

SARAH ALEXANDER

wife of

Mr. Robert Alexander

who died Feb. 12, 1812,

Aged 66.

And thou my soul stoope down & nin

this hollow gaping tomb this gloomy prison

waits for you whenere the summons comes. 

From The History of Dunbarton by Caleb Stark, 1860: 

"ROBERT ALEXANDER removed from Bedford to this town.  He purchased the Dunbarton farm of John Raymond, Esq., upon which he resided until his death, March 3, 1818, at the age of 93, when the farm was divided between his sons, David and William.  The latter removed to the western part of New-York more than forty years ago. David was an exemplary husbandman and worthy citizen. He never sought office, and his affairs prospered.  He was a good officer of the militia, and deacon of the church. He led a reputable life and died respected, June ---, 1852, aged 70.  Mrs. Alexander died May 29, 1854." 

Robert Alexander, son of John Alexander and Kathrine Walwood, was born 9 August 1724 in Renfrew, Scotland, and died 3 March 1818 in Dunbarton, New Hampshire.  He married Sarah Davidson, daughter of John Davidson and Sarah McNutt, born 23 January 1746 in Tewksbury, Massachusetts and died 12 February 1812 in Dunbarton.  They had four children:

1.  Agnes Alexander (1763 - 1846) married Rev. John Houston

2.  Robert Alexander (1767 - 1832) married Elizabeth Dickey

3.  William Alexander (1776 - 1859)  married Anna Whiting Worcester

4.  David Alexander (1781 - 1852) married Martha Cunningham

---------------------

Cite/Link to this post:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Robert and Sarah Alexander, buried in Dunbarton, New Hampshire - Tombstone Tuesday", Nutfield Genealogy, posted September 8, 2020, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2020/09/robert-and-sarah-alexander-buried-in.html: accessed [access date]).

The Merci Train Boxcar of Manchester, New Hampshire

The Merci Train Boxcar 136 Reed Street, in the West Side of Manchester, New Hampshire

What was the "Merci Train"? Why is there a Merci Train boxcar on display in Manchester, New Hampshire? And where are all the other Merci Train boxcars?

A close up of the Merci Train boxcar taken through the display glass
of the protective building in Manchester, New Hampshire

Crowds welcome the Merci Train Boxcar in 1949 Manchester, New Hampshire
Photo courtesy of the Manchester Historic Association

Back during World War II, after the citizens of France suffered terrible hardships under Nazi occupation, the United States sent the Friendship Food Train in 1947.   This was actually three trains with 270 box cars full of food worth over $40 million at the time.  This was a volunteer effort all done by donation, not costing the government a penny for the transportation by ship, rail and truck.  Every package had this label in French and Italian "All races and creeds make up the vast melting pot of America, and in a democratic and Christian spirit of good will toward men, we, the American people, have worked together to bring this food to your doorsteps, hoping that it will tide you over until your own fields are again rich and abundant with crops." 

In return for this kindness, and for liberating their country from Nazi occupation, the citizens of France sent 49 boxcars to the United States. These were known as the Merci Train boxcars.  One boxcar for each state and the District of Columbia.  Each car toured France, and the villagers placed gifts inside each car.  These items included handmade lace, dolls, wines, cheeses, paintings, crafts, photographs of the war, as well as American, German and French weapons taken from battlefields and other objects. 

Only 35 of these Merci Train boxcars still exist. This historic event is long forgotten in American history.  Do you know where the Merci Train boxcar in your state now resides?  Were your ancestors involved with the Friendship Food Train project, or the Merci Train boxcar projects? 

The New Hampshire boxcar arrived in New Hampshire on 10 February 1949. It stopped first in Nashua at 7am, and then at Manchester at 8am where it was moved to a large trailer truck and paraded up Elm Street to a reception at City Hall.  The next day it went to Concord, where it was officially presented to the state of New Hampshire on the State House plaza.  It was accepted by Governor Sherman Adams.  

The New Hampshire boxcar was held at Concord until 1953.  It now rests in a display building at 136 Reed Street in Manchester, on the West Side off of Bremer Street. The land is part of the tiny Monsignor Gilbert Park donated by a local church.  A ceremony is held at this site on the last Sunday of every September, which commemorates the ties between France and the United States. A parade leaves the Justras Post at 56 Boutwell Street and marches to the Merci Boxcar.  It is unknown if the parade and ceremony will take place this year (2020) because of the COVID pandemic. 

An organization called the Grand Voiture du New Hampshire of the 40 & 8 safeguards the box car and its history. This group is named for the 40 men or 8 horses which could be held inside a box car.  This organization cares for Manchester's boxcar, and many of the boxcars from other states. There are links to explore (see below) if you are interested in learning more.  

Most of the items inside the boxcar were distributed to societies across New Hampshire. Here in Manchester there are some items at St. Anselm's College, which were formerly part of the collection of the Library of the Americaine Canadienne Association. This link has some photos of some of the items that were inside the boxcar, donated by citizens of France:   http://mercitrain.org/NewHampshire/   

For the Truly Curious:

A video by WMUR TV's Fritz Weatherbee, from his history spot on "Chronicle" about the Merci Train in Manchester, New Hampshire:   https://www.wmur.com/article/fritz-wetherbee-the-merci-boxcar-in-pinardville/31020345 

The Merci Train New Hampshire:  http://mercitrain.org/NewHampshire/
This same website has pages for each state that received a boxcar, including Washington, DC, and a good overview of the whole history of the Merci Train boxcars:   http://mercitrain.org 

This website has a list of the gifts from inside the New Hampshire boxcar:   http://www.trains-and-trains.dk/Arrangements/USA/Merci/new-hampshire.shtml 

New Hampshire: War and Peace, by John Clayton, Peter Randall Publishers, 2001.  Out of print, but still available at the Manchester Millyard Museum, and also at AbeBooks.com: 

https://www.abebooks.com/9780965068444/New-Hampshire-peace-Clayton-John-0965068447/plp   

     John Clayton, director of the Manchester Historic Association, also wrote this article about the Merci Train Boxcar:

     https://manchesterinklink.com/box-car-recalls-250-tons-thanks/?fbclid=IwAR3LJ_8qf_l-xaLGZLHOXoF-G7rW5uArPCUceWPiArtllcs-ofdj_Y6WLBQ    

Forty and Eight (La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux) -
       Wikipedia:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forty_and_Eight 
        Website:  https://www.fortyandeight.org/  

        Facebook group:

        https://www.facebook.com/Forty-and-Eight-Voiture-Nationale-483982595006573  

The Friendship Train 1947 website:  http://www.thefriendshiptrain1947.org/ 

The Journey of the Gratitude Train blog:  https://gratitudetrain.typepad.com/ 

--------------------

Cite/Link to this post:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "The Merci Train Boxcar of Manchester, New Hampshire", Nutfield Genealogy, posted September 4, 2020, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-merci-train-boxcar-of-manchester.html: accessed [access date]).

Robert Arthur Allen, 19 July 1937 - 27 August 2020

My uncle, Robert Arthur Allen, passed away this week. He was my mother's brother.

Obituary from the Edgerly Funeral Home in Rochester, New Hampshire:

Rochester NH - Robert A. Allen, 83, formerly of Eagle Dr. died Thursday, August 27, 2020, at the Colonial Nursing Home and Rehabilitation in Rochester.
Born July 19,1937, in Beverly, Mass., to Stanley and Gertrude (Hitchings) Allen. Bob has lived in Rochester for the past 17 years after moving from Georgetown, Mass. He was a self-employed carpenter, who loved woodworking and being outdoors.
Members of his family include his wife of 42 years, Diane (Brown) Allen of Dover; his daughters, Theresa E. Trumbull and her husband John of Rochester, Kimberly A. Reid and her husband Robert of Lexington, Ky.;a son, Christopher C. Allen and his wife Alana of Middleton,Mass.;step-children, Corey R. Marshall of Middleton, Mass., Bonnie J. Madigan of Methuen, Mass., Rebecca Allen of Plaistow, NH; 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Richard L. Allen of Virginia; a sister, Phyllis Wilkinson of West Boylston, Mass.; he is predeceased by sons, Robert Allen Jr., John F. Allen; daughters, Patricia M. Rivers and Catherine L. Trumbull; brothers, Donald J. Allen, Joseph G. Allen, Stanley E. Allen Jr.; and a sister, Barbara Thatcher.

Cremation is under the care of the R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main St., Rochester, NH 03867.

Services are private.

1975 My grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary
and their seven children.
Uncle Bob Allen is in the back row, far right, behind Mom

Our ALLEN lineage from William Allen of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts (our immigrant ancestor in the 1600s):

https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2012/09/surname-saturday-allen-of-manchester.html   

Jeremiah Stinson, Esq. a Gruesome Death in 1809 Dunbarton, New Hampshire - Tombstone Tuesday

This tombstone was photographed at the Dunbarton Center Cemetery, in Dunbarton, New Hampshire.

ERECTED

to the Memory of

JEREMIAH STINSON, ESQ.

Son of 

Mr. Archibald Stinson 

[the rest is underground]

From pages 200 - 201 of The History of Dunbarton, by Caleb Stark, 1860:

"JEREMIAH STINSON, Esq., son of Archibald, before named, graduated at Dartmouth College; read law; opened an office in Dunbarton, and married a daughter of the Rev. Walter Harris.  He was several years townclerk and a member of several important committees employed by the town.
     His death was occasioned by sliding down from his haymow and coming in contact with a pitchfork-handle concealed in the hay, which he being quite corpulent, entered his body nearly eleven inches. After lingering a few days in great distress, he died Sept. 28, 1809, aged 60 years [sic]. His widow afterward became the wife of William Green, then a trader in town, and afterward cashier of the Pemigewasset Bank at Plymouth. [New Hampshire]"

The book Sketches of Dunbarton, by Ella Mills, 2020:
"One of the earliest college graduates, Jeremiah Stinson, having studied law, opened an office in his native town, but devoted the most of his time to agriculture. He met with an accidental death at the age of thirty-six years."

Jeremiah Stinson, the son of Archibald Stinson and Sarah Page, was born 4 April 1775 in Dunbarton and died 28 September 1809 in Dunbarton.  Archibald Stinson was born 3 August 1740 and died 3 July 1824, aged 85, in Dunbarton.  Jeremiah Stinson married Clarissa Harris in Dunbarton on 9 December 1807, just two years before his death.  She was the daughter of Rev. Walter Harris of Dunbarton, born on 17 June 1790 in Dunbarton, and she died on 18 April 1817 and is buried in Sanbornton, New Hampshire, the wife of Mr. William Green.  They had no children.

-----------------------

Cite/Link to this post:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Jeremiah Stinson, Esq. a Gruesome Death in 1809 Dunbarton, New Hampshire - Tombstone Tuesday", Nutfield Genealogy, posted September 1, 2020, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2020/09/jeremiah-stinson-esq-gruesome-death-in.html: accessed [access date]).

September 2020 Genealogy and Local History Event Calendar

This month I have combined the virtual and "in-person" events. 

Scheduled virtual events are listed first in chronological order, followed by a short list of "in-person" events, and ongoing programs online are listed at the bottom (just scroll down).  Some events are free, and some online classes have fees.  Most are open to the public. At the time of publication online, this was the latest information I had on whether or not some of these events are happening "in person", please check ahead and don't forget your masks and social distancing! 

For last minute additions, please email me at vrojomit@gmail.com and I can edit this post, and also check the Nutfield Genealogy Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/nutfield.gen/  

--------------------------------

VIRTUAL EVENTS

September 2, Wednesday, noon, An Introduction to Ellis Island: A Free Google Hangout hosted by the New York Public Library.  Learn the basics of Ellis Island genealogy and take advantage of world class research tools at no cost to you! Please register here:  https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2020/09/02/online-introduction-ellis-island-genealogy

September 3, Thursday, 105th Annual Conference and Meeting of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.  Please check this link for more information on this virtual event:  https://asalh.org/events/the-105th-annual-conference-and-meeting/1600819200/1601164800/  

September 3, Thursday, 2pm, Online Revolutionary Story Time!  Hosted by the American Independence Museum of Exeter, New Hampshire.  A colonial re-enactor will lead this storytime with music, books and stories.  Free to the public.  Check their Facebook page for the live video. 

September 3, Thursday, 8pm,  Money in Colonial America, hosted by the History Camp, and presented by Will Nipper, author of In Yankee Doodle's Pocket:  They Myth, Magic and Politics of Money in Early America.  This presentation will be live streamed FREE on the History Camp Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/HistoryCampOfficial/  September 5, Saturday, 9:30am, Deep Diving into Your Research - Review Everything, hosted by the Worcester County Chapter of the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists. Presented by Davis Robison. Registration link:  https://tinyurl.com/WR-Sept-20  

September 4, Friday, 8pm,  Canadian Records with Lianne Kruger, hosted Vivid-Pix "Round Tuit" Webinar Series.  Register here:  https://bit.ly/31R5NPN    

September 5, Saturday, 10am, New York State Vital Records by Jeanette Sheliga, hosted by Steve Fulton UE and the Niagara Peninsula Branch – Ontario Ancestors.  You can register for this online webinar in advance at this link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ufuigqT0vEtRvap-jZglny5m8mnCapc93?fbclid=IwAR0eH9vg6nSPCaQX2P8uIklpNm5odZjwtso0An4bskZEnde2Km4ps-bs49I  

September 5, Saturday, 11am, Virtual - Using Historic Maps of New England and Beyond, hosted by the Virtual Genealogical Association.  Presented by Sara Campbell.  Free to VGA members, and available to view for six months following the presentation date.  VGA membership is only $20/year. Join today.  www.virtual genealogy.org  

September 5, Saturday, 1pm, Pilgrim Graves on Burial Hill, hosted by the Plymouth Antiquarian Society.  This tour was cancelled as an on-site event and now will presented virtually.  Visit the Plymouth Antiquarian Society’s Facebook page and tune in at 1pm for the live broadcast.  The video tour will be saved on the page for later viewing as well.  https://www.facebook.com/plymouthantiquarian/  

Sunday, September 6, 2pm, 400th Anniversary of the Mayflower Voyage.  A live Zoom event hosted by the Virtual Genealogical Association.  Presented by Sara Campbell.  Free to VGA members, and available to view for six months following the presentation date.  VGA membership is only $20/year. Join today.  www.virtual genealogy.org  

September 8, On-line Certificate in Genealogical Research, from Boston University.  This 15 week online course is for experienced researchers.  See this link for more information:  https://genealogyonline.bu.edu/certificate  or contact an enrollment advisor at 617-502-8822. 

September 8, Genealogical Principals Class, from Boston University.  This 7 week introductory class is geared towards serious students new to the field.  Students will solve identity problems, design a research plan, evaluate a report to meet proof standards, and work with genealogical DNA tests.  See this link for more information:  https://genealogyonline.bu.edu/principles or contact an enrollment advisor at 617-502-8822.   

September 8, Tuesday, 2pm, Beginning Irish Genealogy Research at the New York Public Library, hosted by the New York Public Library.  Register at this link:  https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2020/09/08/online-class-beginning-irish-genealogy-research-new-york-public-library 

September 8, Tuesday, 7pm, WW1: The Forgotten War – Tips for Researching Ancestors Who Served with US Forces, a virtual presentation via Zoom presented by Diane Romansky, hosted by the Chelmsford, Massachusetts Genealogy Club. Details for registration will be emailed, and a handout made available. Contact 978-256-5521 x 1107 at the Chelmsford Public Library with questions about the CGC.

September 9, Wednesday, 4pm, Understanding Your Historic Building:  Maintenance 101, hosted by Main Preservation.  Register here:  https://www.mainepreservation.org/webinars-and-educational-programs/2020/9/9/understanding-your-historic-building-maintenance-101   

September 9, Wednesday, 8pm, Cyndi's List in Practice, hosted by Legacy Family Tree Webinars for free, presented by Cyndi Ingle.  Register here:  https://familytreewebinars.com/upcoming-webinars-multireg.php  

September 10, Thursday, 6pm, American Inspiration Author Event: Pam Fessler with Carville’s Cure: Leprosy, Stigma, and the Fight for Justice.  Sponsored by the New England Historic Genealogical Society in partnership with the Boston Public Library and the State Library of Massachusetts. Free to the public. Register here:  https://wgbh.zoom.us/webinar/register/3015972361007/WN_mMmh8hOKQMipNB5fQid5kQ  

September 10, Thursday, 7pm, A Special Screening of American Experience’s “The Vote” with an Online Q&A, hosted by the New Hampshire PBS, The New Hampshire Institute of Politics, the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation, and the New Hampshire Historical Society. This one hour screen includes watching the documentary online from the comfort of your own home, and then an opportunity to engage in an online Q&A with panelists Elaine Weiss and Alexander Keyssar.  Check the website for the NHHistory.org for registration information, for an email with instructions and a link.

September 10, Thursday, 7pm, Wit and Wisdom: Humor in 19^th Century New England, hosted by the Whipple Free Library and the New Hampshire Humanities Council.  This online program requires pre-registration at adultserviceswfl@gmail.com  

September 11 and 12, Friday and Saturday,  German Genealogy Conference via Zoom.  $30.75 for the entire weekend.  Speakers presenting on German genealogy throughout Europe and Russia.  See details and registration here:  https://www.german-russians.info/   

September 11, Friday, 1:30pm, The Hudson Genealogy Club presents:  The Secrets of Abraham Lincoln’s DNA, an online Zoom presented by Colleen Fitzpatrick, PhD, founder of Indentifinders International.  Hosted by the Rodgers Library of Hudson, New Hampshire. Please register at this link and an email will be sent to you with the log-in information.  https://events.rodgerslibrary.org/event/7033761  

September 11, Friday, 2pm – 8:30pm (MDT) Utah Genealogical Association Summit of Excellence, hosted by the UGA Genealogical Association. Register online http://registration.ugagenealogy.org  

September 11, Friday, 4pm, Special Webinar: All Roads Lead to London:  Supreme 19^th Century World City, hosted by the New England Historic Genealogical Society, and presented by Curt DiCamillo, FRSA, curator of special collections. Free to the public.  Register before September 11 here:  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6504822247929113103?source=website 

September 12, Saturday, 10:30am, Gathering the Records: Published Records and Census, hosted by the Middlesex Chapter of the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists. Presented by Kelvin Meyer.  Registration link:  https://tinyurl.com/MX-Sept-20  

September 12, Saturday, noon, Linda MacIver presents Essex, England - Home of the Mayflower?, hosted by the Plymouth County Genealogists, Inc.  https://www.facebook.com/events/350089049719108/    

September 12, Saturday, 12:45pm (Please note the new time!) DNA Special Interest Group, hosted by the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists.  Free to the public.  Registration link:  https://tinyurl.com/DNA-Sept-20  

September 13, Sunday, 1pm, How to Get the most Out of FamilySearch.org hosted by the Virtual Genealogical Association.  Presented by Tamara Hallo.  Free to VGA members, and available to view for six months following the presentation date.  VGA membership is only $20/year. Join today.  www.virtual genealogy.org  

September 13, Sunday, 2pm, Virtual Meeting of the Tufts Kinsmen Association.  The Tufts Kinsmen Association was created in 1975 for families descended from Peter Tufts who emigrated from England to Charlestown, Massachusetts before 1638. Details about the meeting will be posted at the website:  https://tuftskinsmenassociation.org/?fbclid=IwAR2lOypjy5vslNWc0DTy9cMZ8tQ0qiVt73zu5GCbVf0rn7LYZMcsBRion-s 

September 13, Sunday, 4pm, Online Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum, presented by Joseph S. Nye.  Celebrate the 115^th Anniversary of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty.  Hosted by the Portsmouth Public Library amd the Japan-America Society of New Hampshire.  Free to the public. Registration is required: http://www.japanamericasocietyofnh.cloverpad.org/event-3914273  

September 15, Tuesday, 1pm, Getting Started in Genealogy Research, hosted by the New York Public Library. Presented by Irma and Paul Milstein.  Free to the public.  Registration required for this online webinar:  https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2020/09/15/online-class-getting-started-genealogy-research

September 15, Tuesday, 8pm, Simple Steps to Writing York Ancestors' Biographies, hosted by the Virtual Genealogical Association.  Presented by Tammy Tipler-Priolo.  Free to VGA members, and available to view for six months following the presentation date.  VGA membership is only $20/year. Join today.  www.virtual genealogy.org  

September 16, 23 and 30, Wednesdays, 6pm, Checking for Vitals:  Using US Vital Record Substitutes, hosted by the New England Historic Genealogical Society.Presented by Hallie Borstel, Rhonda McClure and Lindsay Fulton.  This online class is $85 for three live sessions and access through December 31, 2020.  Register by September 30, https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/798919851470223361  

September 16, Wednesday, noon, An Introduction to African American Genealogy: A Free Google Hangout Meeting, hosted by the New York Public Library.  Registration required:  https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2020/09/16/online-introduction-african-american-genealogy

September 16, Wednesday, 6pm, Southern California Genealogy Society, Jamboree Webinar Series:  Peggy Lauritzen - Putting America to Work: Records of the WPA and the CCC.  Register here.  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2522364740043559170   

September 16, Wednesday, 6pm, A People’s Guide to Greater Boston, hosted by the Boston Public Library, presented by authors Joseph Nevins, Suren Moodliar, and Eleni Macrakis.  Part of the Local & Family History Lecture Series. See this page for registration information:  https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/5f21ddde0fec712f0015575a  

September 17, Thursday, 9:30am, Online Coffee and Conversation:  Compact, Covenant, or Contract?  Hosted by the Plimoth Planation museum.  Join the museum staff exploring David Brooks’ book “The Second Mountain” which explores four commitments that define a life of meaning and purpose.  What significance did compacts and covenants hold in 17^th century English communities? What do they mean for us today? https://www.plimoth.org/calendar?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D141900832 

September 17, Thursday, 3pm, Webinar: Northern New England Resources at the American Ancestors Website, hosted by the New England Historic Genealogical Society (American Ancestors), presented by David Allen Lambert and Melanie McComb. Free to the public. Register at this link:  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/798555913119931919?source=website 

September 17, Thursday, 6pm, Spinning Gold: Shaping Your Family Research Into Compelling Stories, hosted by the Manchester, New Hampshire City Library.  Presented by Christine Halvorson. This program is virtual and will be hosted on Zoom.  Sign up here to receive an email with details for joining this event:  http://www.libraryinsight.com/EventSignUp.asp?t=636149439&jx=i1p&lmx=%CF%60b%27%A3%AAr  

September 19, Friday, 11:am, What If?  Learning About DNA Through Case Studies, hosted by the Bristol County Chapter of the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists.  Hosted by Blaine Bettinger.  Registration link:  https://tinyurl.com/BR-Sept-20    

September 19, Friday, 1pm, The Ethical Genealogist, with Judy Russell, hosted by the Essex Society of Genealogists (Essex County, Massachusetts).  If you are not a current member and would like to be invited to a particular lecture, please contact Steve Hartwell, webmaster at membership@esog.org   Attendance may be limited and members will be given preference.  

September 20, Sunday, 2pm, Online Genealogy Workshop: Spinning Gold, hosted by the Portsmouth, NH Public Library and the Ranger Chapter of the DAR, and presented by Christine Halvorson. Free to the public.  Registration required, and Zoom login information will be sent via email prior to the meeting.  Email libinfo@cityofportsmouth.com  

September 22, Tuesday, New Hampshire Roads Taken or Not, sponsored by the New Hampshire Humanities Council.  Presented by Steve Taylor who will review some of New Hampshire’s most significant highway projects in the 20^th century. Join this Zoom meeting at this link:  https://www.nhhumanities.org/events/new-hampshire-roads-taken-or-not-27  

September 22, Tuesday, noon, Fundraising and Communication for Preservation Projects in Challenging Times, hosted by the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance.  This is a virtual round table discussion.  Email jg@nhpreservation.org with “July 14” in the subject line. Participants will be sent sign-in information for video or phone access. 

September 22, Tuesday, 7pm, Online Local History: The Life, Times, and Political Career of Levi Woodbury, hosted by the Portsmouth, NH Public Library and the Portsmouth Athenaeum.  Presented by John P. McGee. Free to the public. Registration required, please email for the Zoom link:  Nicole Cloutier at pmvassiliev@cityofportsmouth.com 

September 23, Wednesday, 6pm, Genealogy From Home:  Newspapers and Print Resources, hosted by the Boston Public Library.  This online event will happen via Zoom.  Please register here:  https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/5f480141dce07c100e0cd952  

September 24, Thursday, 6pm, An American Inspiration Author Event: E.J. Dionne with Code Red: How Progressives and Moderates Can Unite to Save Our Country hosted by the New England Historic Genealogical Society.  Free to the public. Register here:  https://www.americanancestors.org/education/online-classes#pf   

September 24, Thursday, 7pm, Jennie Powers: The Woman Who Dares, hosted by the Chesterfield, New Hampshire Historical Society, with a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities Council. Presented by Jenna Carroll, about Jennie Powers, one of the first humane society agents to become a deputy sheriff in New Hampshire.  Register here: https://www.nhhumanities.org/events/jennie-powers-woman-who-dares-10  

September 26, Saturday, 10am, Meeting: Story Telling and Memoir Writing, hosted by the Merrimack Valley Chapter of the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists.  Presented by Michelle Beckman.  Registration link:  https://tinyurl.com/MV-Sept-20  

September 26, Saturday, 10am – 3pm, 2020 Fall Meeting of the New Hampshire Society of Genealogists Goes Virtual!  “In the Shadows of Their Men: Hearing Women’s Voices in a Male Dominated World” featuring Jane E. Wilcox.  Register online at https://www.nhsog.org/events  Three talks, see the website for details. $25 for members, $35 general public.  

September 26, Saturday, 1 - 3pm, Online Chinese Genealogy Workshop for People of Chinese Descent, hosted by the Chinese Historical Society of America, and presented by Clotilde Yap and Raymond Chong.  Register before September 12th at this link:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/online-chinese-genealogy-workshop-tickets-115915722045   

September 26, Saturday, 1 – 4:30pm, Caribbean Ancestors: Surfing Anglican Records Online, hosted by the New England Historic Genealogical Society, and presented by Sandra Taitt-Eaddy.  This program will be held on Zoom.  A link and more information will be sent to participants via email before the live program. $85 per person.  Please register here: https://my.americanancestors.org/1540/1558 

September 26, Saturday, 1:30pm, Squeezing Every Drop out of Polish Parish Registers, a free Zoom program hosted by the Polish Genealogical Society of Massachusetts and the Chicopee, Massachusetts Public Library.  Register by emailing cpl@chicopeepubliclibrary and they will send you a zoom invitation.   

September 26, Saturday, 2pm, Online Haunted Hikes of New Hampshire, hosted by the Portsmouth Public Library, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  Presented by Marianne O’Connor.  This is a history and legend presentation that is family friendly.  Were there witches in NH? Is Mount Washington haunted? Register at this link:  https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/library/news/hikes?fbclid=IwAR29nt_pPk0Yyw4INyO_IYO7FZ7zZ7CIRQjPyD02_--e9Ph7Ty0dAr3Egzo 

September 28, Monday, 7:30pm, Debt, Drunk and Disorderly: Ontario Jail Records, hosted online by the Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society.  A webinar presented by Janice Nickerson.  See this link for more information:  https://torontofamilyhistory.org/event/debt_drunk_disorderly/?instance_id=1405&fbclid=IwAR3evXPe1gwECpA9X14x1v5sQDh2ogmiBwF3K1PS_8pbxfQ5WzyXPYaqZ18  

September 30, Wednesday, 6pm, It’s Not About the Stuff:  Stories Revealed at the Intersection of Genealogy and Archaeology, hosted by the Boston Public Library, and presented by the Boston City Archaeologist Joe Bagley on a talk about recent discoveries from Boston sites whose true meaning was revealed through genealogical research.  This event is happening over Zoom. Register here:  https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/5eebcea4651c5f45004fd4a1  

September 30, Wednesday, 7pm, Online Local History Talk:  Ornithological Devotions of Celia Thaxter, hosted by the Portsmouth, NH Public Library.  Free to the public. Presented by Dr. Ellen M. Taylor. No registration is required.  Connect with this link (the password is 3GWdHC)  https://zoom.us/j/9491308975?pwd=RFl4THdMQnR4VGIrbmdRVEpGMjcwZz09#success  

February 25 -27, 2021   RootsTech Connect:  FREE online conference!  Register here: https://www.rootstech.org/?lang=eng  
---------------------------

"IN-PERSON" EVENTS

September 3, Thursday, noon, Lunch & Learn: Penelope Winslow, Plymouth Colony First Lady:  Re-Imagining a Life Book Discussion and Signing, at Plimoth Plantation, 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, Massachusetts.  Free to members, non-members $10.  Presented by author Michelle Marchetti Coughlin. 

September 5, 12 or 26, Saturdays, at 11:30am, Behind the Scenes: The Little Women Tour, hosted by the Fruitlands Museum, Harvard, Massachusetts.  Louisa May Alcott lived at Fruitlands in 1843 when she was ten years old.  This outdoors tour will feature the house and outdoor space where Louisa played, learned, wrote and explored.  Buy your tickets at this link:  buy.acmeticketing.com/events/483/detail/5f1595dd2214900e20dc763   

September 5 – 6, 10am – 4pm, Abenaki at the Trading Post, at the Fort at No. 4,  267 Springfield Road, Charlestown, New Hampshire.  For more information see this website:  http://www.fortat4.org/ 

September 8, Tuesday, 7pm, The History of Agriculture as Told by Barns, at the Cornish Town Offices, 488 Town House Road, Cornish, New Hampshire.  Presented by John C. Porter, the author of “Preserving Old Barns: Preventing the Loss of a Valuable Resource”.  Free to the public with a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities Council.  Hosted by the Cornish Historical Society.

September 9, 16, 23 and 30, Wednesdays, 7:15pm, Writing Memoirs, at the Nackey Loeb School of Communications, 749 East Industrial Drive, Manchester, New Hampshire. Presented by the Union Leader newspaper journalist and author Carolyn Choate.  Free to the public.  Space is limited due to social distancing in the classroom. Pre-registration required at the website:  www.loebschool.org 

September 12, Saturday, 10am, Eustis Estate Landscape Tour, 1424 Canton Avenue, Milton, Massachusetts, hosted by Historic New England. This tour explores fields, woodland, and gardens of the house built between 1878 and 1902. Masks required, wear comfortable walking shoes, and dress for the weather. $5 members, $10 non-members. Tickets my.historicnewengland.org/6780/10857 

September 14, Monday, 2:15pm, The Founding Fathers: What were They Thinking? At the Havenwood Heritage Heights, 33 Christian Avenue, Concord, New Hampshire.  Presented by Richard Hesse.  Free to the public with a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities Council.

September 19 and 20, Saturday and Sunday, Embarkation Festival at Plymouth, Massachusetts. This is a grand cultural and arts festival honoring the traditions, cuisine, and music of the settlers and Wampanoag people, as well as the diverse population of immigrants who have become the fabric of American life.  Performing groups, chefs, artists, storytellers, and student projects from around the world celebrating the 400^th anniversary of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Hosted by Plymouth 400 https://www.plymouth400inc.org/  

September 19, Saturday, 10am, Trails and Sails: Women’s History Tour, at the House of Seven Gables, 115 Derby Street, Salem, Massachusetts.  Tickets are limited, please register here; https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/cfd54b2c8b1c47ca941c6b547a765af7?fbclid=IwAR0yLFsJfWkySouw6CH_ps7i0mpvSXoERWydpyzzCHsuYKCpFzv60u3ZwkM  

September 19, Saturday, 1:30pm, The Connecticut- Caribbean Connection hosted by the Connecticut Society of Genealogists, and presented by genealogist Sandra Taitt Eaddy.  At the CSG Library, 175 Maple Street, East Hartford, Connecticut.  Free to the public, but please pre-register at csginc@csginc.org or call 860-569-0002. 

September 25 - 27, Friday to Sunday, The Old Planters Reunion, hosted by Historic Beverly of Beverly, Massachusetts.  Programs include a tour of First Parish Church by historian Charles Wainwright.  The Balch and Woodbury Family Meetings will be held on Saturday. A tour of the North Beverly cemetery, where many Old Planter ancestors are buried.  Contact Historic Beverly to be added to the mailing list  info@historicbeverly.net or 978-922-1186  

September 26, Saturday, 10am, Eustis Estate Landscape Tour, 1424 Canton Avenue, Milton, Massachusetts, hosted by Historic New England. This tour explores fields, woodland, and gardens of the house built between 1878 and 1902. Masks required, wear comfortable walking shoes, and dress for the weather. $5 members, $10 non-members. Tickets my.historicnewengland.org/6780/10858   

September 26, Saturday and Sunday, Return to Number 4: Revolutionary War Weekend, at the Fort at No. 4, 267 Springfield Road, Charlestown, New Hampshire.  Free with Admission, http://www.fortat4.org/index.php  

October 10 - 12, Saturday – Monday, Indigenous People’s Weekend, at Plimoth Plantation, 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, Massachusetts.  Learn about the Wampanoag people living in the area known as Patuxet.  Celebrate their traditions with song, dance, and craft.  https://www.plimoth.org/calendar?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D141901073

Coming Soon:

October 31, Saturday, Annual History Seminar of the Connecticut Society of Genealogists will be presented this year via Zoom.  See this link for more information:   https://ctfamilyhistory.com/event/annual-history-seminar-save-the-date/ 

 November 7, Saturday, 8:30 – 4pm, Annual Meeting 2020 of the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, Inc. 45^th Anniversary Year.  Free for Society members. Presentatios from Richard Bell, the author of “Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped Into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home” and Paula Stuart-Warren, certified genealogist, FMGS, FUGA.  Paula will present “DNA Done? Now Find Those 20^th and 21^st Century Relative Connections”. Registration information will be on the members page at www.msoginc.org


April 14, 2021 – April 17, 2021, NERGC 2021 (The New England Regional Genealogical Conference), will be going virtual!  http://nergc.org/   

May 19 -22, The National Genealogical Society 2021 Family History Conference: Deep Roots of a Nation, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia.  See the webpage https://conference.ngsgenealogy.org/  


May, 2021  The Wampanoag Ancestors Walk, originally scheduled for August 2020 is moved to May, 2021.  Final date and details to come.  This walk will be led by the Wampanoag tribes of Massachusetts. Placards will be carried with the names of the original 69 villages of the Wampanoag nation.  Participants will pay homage to Massasoit and King Philip and will stop at designated sites to bless the spots where Wampanoag ancestors walked. The walk will conclude with a drum ceremony, followed by a reception. 

------------------------

Ongoing VIRTUAL programs online:

Ancestry Academy, from Ancestry.com, provides dozens of FREE classes online.  See this link:  https://www.ancestry.com/academy/courses/recommended  

APGen, The Association of Professional Genealogists has several online events coming soon, see the list at this link:  https://www.apgen.org/event_list?current_page=1&sort_type=upcoming&filter%5Bperiod%5D=all&display_type=default

Brigham Young University Independent Study, a variety of courses on family history topics completely free and available online.  See this link:  https://is.byu.edu/catalog/free-courses  

Cape Ann Museum of Gloucester, Massachusetts has 71 videos on the history of Cape Ann.  Don’t miss this great collection of tours and lectures:   https://vimeo.com/capeannmuseum 

Family History Library Classes and Webinars, from the LDS church, are listed at this link: https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Family_History_Library_Classes_and_Webinars   and also see this page for dozens of classes online:  https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Classes_in_the_Learning_Center

Wednesdays 4pm (MST) on Facebook Live at Family Search   See this link  https://www.facebook.com/familysearch/   Free online genealogy presentations.  

FamilyTree Webinars are free to the public and sponsored by FamilyTree Legacy:  see this link: https://familytreewebinars.com/#   and a list of their top 10 most popular webinars of all time here:  https://news.legacyfamilytree.com/legacy_news/2020/01/top-10-genealogy-webinars-of-all-time.html 

GeneaWebinars, a blog with the latest news on what’s available to view online:  http://blog.geneawebinars.com/  and also, their schedule of FREE family history webinars PDF can be found here:  https://familytreewebinars.com/pdfs/ftwbrochure-1577464068.pdf 

History Camp Boston 2019 – There are links to the 47 different lectures given last year!  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?  list=PLzf6zwbpmhjoOKWFBUt5JXJxl3f9UHJfW&utm_source=History+events+in+New+England&utm_campaign=dbda6354ca-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_01_18_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c4221dc88a-dbda6354ca-1210446589&mc_cid=dbda6354ca&mc_eid=6d4fffd2a5     

The History List has compiled a list of “Learning at Home” at this link:   https://www.thehistorylist.com/resources-for-learning-history-at-home  

Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research 2020 will be held virtually this year 26 – 31 July 2020.  https://ighr.gagensociety.org/   Registration ends 11:55 EDT on Monday 6 July 2020. 

Lexington Historical Society – A page full of virtual tours   https://www.lexingtonhistory.org/virtualtours.html  

Lowell National Historical Park, Lowell, Massachusetts has a page of online videos and resources for students and visitors.  See this link:  https://www.nps.gov/lowe/index.htm 

Manchester Millyard Museum:  A collection of local history videos about Manchester, New Hampshire, please see this link:  https://vimeopro.com/mpts16/john-clayton-presents-manchester-moments  

Old Sturbridge Village Museum has “Virtual Village” where the staff will bring the museum into your home with fun facts, activities, recipes, and videos.  You can see it on Facebook, Instagram and at this link:  https://www.osv.org/virtual-village/

Plimoth Plantation has several online workshops and discussions good for all ages

            People of the Dawn – Wampanoag culture and traditions $10 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-home-people-of-the-dawn-tickets-100175628000

            Fact or Fiction? Investigating the First Thanksgiving, $10 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-home-fact-or-fiction-investigating-the-first-thanksgiving-tickets-100177236812

            Colonial First Families: Their New Worlds and Everyday Lives, $10   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-home-colonial-first-families-new-worlds-and-everyday-lives-tickets-100019129910

            Dressing History – a sneak peek into 17^th century wardrobes, $10 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-home-dressing-history-tickets-101055676248 

Virtual Genealogical Association - https://virtualgenealogy.org/, has a complete list of 2020 live presentations.  Recordings are available to members for six months after the live presentation, dues are only $20 per year. 

And, as always, check Cyndi’s List for a complete list of online classes and webinars:  https://www.cyndislist.com/education/online-courses-and-webinars/