Welcome to my Genealogy Blog.

Why not spend a minute or two at my Blog to see if there is anything interesting to read. Perhaps I've written something about your ancestor, gave a hint on how to locate something, provided a different way to do research, or just gave a glimpse into the world of genealogy research through words or photos. I try to make it light and enjoyable.

My roots are from New England (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire), New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wyoming, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Please check out the labels on the right side for articles. The header tabs at the top are a work in progress.

I also have a blog called Seeing New England. Why not visit it, to get a feeling for the area.


Saturday, August 11, 2012

Still in the Past

A state library visit sounded like the perfect thing to see on one of my trips to Boston. There was little information about the State Library of Massachusetts online, so I didn't know what to expect, but was ready for an adventure, which began the second I walked in the main door. Security was waiting for all visitors, and after I and my items were scanned, I was pulled aside and asked to open my pocketbook. Yikes, I had forgotten I had a Swiss army knife, what was going to happen to me? Not to worry, I signed a paper, and would get it back when I left.

 I found my way to the 3rd floor library, went in, and not a person was to be seen. I couldn't wait to check out the "historical information for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its cities and towns." Before I had a conversation with the seasoned librarian, I took these photos.






WIFE    Husband has no right to beat
 
As you can see, there wasn't a person in the library, no genealogy books and I didn't see the librarian until I was ready to leave. Since I had questions, I fired away. Were there any genealogy books? Yes, but since they had closed stacks, she showed me a little booklet listing their major holdings, (I could request and she would go get). Anything more specific would have to be found through their card catalog (photo above). Shocked, I asked if everything was also listed online. "No, not yet, it is a money issue, however they are working on it." I got the impression it was something really in the works. They did however, have four computers, lots of room, and several aisles of books, this is mainly a law library.

 The stacked books are on four floors, located behind the librarian (see first photo). According to her, there is a Special Collection on a lower level, however their webpage, with all their links just took me to 403 Forbidden quite a few times. Some links do work, and might be of use to you, see below. The next time I go, I'll check out the Special Collection Department in Room 55.

Items in our Special Collections:

Have you ever visited your state library? Where is it? What does it offer you? Are they operating in the past or have they changed?
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