Are You Visiting NEHGS? #1

99 - 101 Newbury Street

Boston, Massachusetts

NOTE:  I wrote this in 2010. Many changes have been made in the building.

What and where is the NEHGS? From the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) website, they state they were "Founded in 1845, NEHGS is the country's leading resource for family history research. We help build knowledge, skills, and understanding of your family and its place in history." It is located in Boston, not far from the Boston Public Library and Copley Square. Members and non-members can find useful information from this at the above site.


I decided to put together a few bits of information to help a new visitor to the facility. There are seven floors, but several are off-limits to the researcher. The photos below are in order, beginning with floor 1 to floor 7. Because there were other researchers there, I opted not to take every photo possible. There is a very small lunchroom, a tiny refrigerator, and vending machines. Restrooms are on each floor, there is an elevator, and two copy machines, copies .25 and you need to first purchase a copy card for $1. Best to bring change, as there is no change machine. You may want to bring your camera for copying pages, no portable hand-held scanners are allowed. Wireless internet access is available, and you need to restrict your cell phone use to outside the reading rooms.


Before arriving at the Library, if at all possible, you should use the Card Catalog for www.AmericanAncestors.org (Website for NEHGS), this will enable you to see the holdings in the Library. I will do a post on this in a few days.

The first thing a visitor does is sign in with the receptionist. There are a lot of restaurants around, some inexpensive, some not. However, are all crowded at lunchtime. If at all possible bring a lunch and eat there in the tiny lunchroom, or carry it to the lovely park at Copley Square. If you have free time, I would suggest you walk two blocks to the Boston Public Library and check out their main reading room.

First floor, inner room. Many international books are on this floor.

On the 4th floor is the Microtext floor. The reception desk is seen as you get off the elevator. Here you will find microform, CDs and map collections.

Employees behind glass panel.

 

 Work stations, above and below.

Some cabinets in the Microtext room, filled with microfilm, mainly probates, deeds, and vital records.

 

The 5th floor houses the Local and state histories and records.

Above are some of the stacks in the reading room, the back room is shown below.

 7th Floor reading room (partial shot). The reference desk is in the center. in front of the wall. Dress is casual.

First Floor book store.

In the past, I've written several articles about the library, the two below might be of interest to you.

• New England Marriages Prior to 1700  (A very useful resource, and not online.)
• Ellis Island Dress and American Jewish Historical Society (The dress is currently in storage.)

Tombstone Tuesday -- Young Children

Young daughters of William Frederick Poole and Fanny M. Gleason

Buried at Harmony Grove Cemetery, Salem, Massachusetts

Fanny

Born:  17 Jan. 1862

Died:  18 Aug. 1864

Daughter of

William F. and Fanny M. Poole

Eliza

Born:  18 Dec. 1865

Died:  26 Sept. 1871

Daughter of

William F. and Fanny M. Poole

Walking the Flume in the White Mountains of New Hampshire

The Flume
White Mountains
Lincoln, New Hampshire

During the 2-mile hike, holding on to the rail and hoping I wouldn't fall. I was also concerned about dropping my camera. Once we got to the top, the rest was easy.

We ate at Hart's Turkey Farm Restaurant (everybody must eat here at least once).

Meredith, New Hampshire

Obituaries -- Lowell Massachusetts

The below listed names were taken from The Lowell Sun newspaper's obituary section. The names are often printed on two days, I am only listing them once.

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2011
PATRICIA A. NOLAN OF LOWELL
MADELINE T. ZAHER OF CHELMSFORD
R. GEORGE DASTOU, BELOVED FATHER AND BEST FRIEND
MARY (SANTOS) FERRERIA, LOVING MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER
RAYMOND A. NADEAU, LIFELONG RESIDENT OF LOWELL, ARMY VET; 79
CECILE A. CORMIER OF DRACUT
JAMES METELINOS OF LOWELL
MARGARET A. QUIRK OF LOWELL
ELEANOR T. L. PENDERGAST OF PELHAM, NH, FORMERLY OF LOWELL, MA
DR. L. RODGER CURRIE, RETIRED CHELMSFORD DENTIST, WWII VET
SUMNER MILTON GLADSTONE OF CHELMSFORD

TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2011
DANIEL S. ENWRIGHT, OF WESTFORD, MA.
LORRAINE B. PERRAULT, OF LOWELL; 74
GARETH T. "GARY" STACK, NAVY VETERAN; 73
CHRISTIAN MADDOX NTAPALIS, OF MERRIMACK, NH; 8 MONTHS
MARY E. DAVIS, OF WESTFORD, FORMERLY OF TEWKSBURY AND HARWICH
CHARLES E. SARGENT, FORMERLY OF PELHAM, NH
JAMES D. AUTERIO, OF PELHAM, NH; 59
ELEANOR T. L. PENDERGAST, OF PELHAM, FORMERLY OF LOWELL
DORIS E. HOWARD, 1922-2011
LENITA (LIVELY) BRENNAN, OF LITTLETON; 77
R. GEORGE DASTOU OF LOWELL
BEATRICE H. O'DAY, FORMERLY OF BILLERICA, MA

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011
LEON E. BELLEY, FORMERLY OF DUNSTABLE, MA
JAMES W. MORENCY, OF TYNGSBORO, MA; 38
EARL W. QUINN, OF CHELMSFORD; 82

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2011
JOSEPH SILVA, BELOVED FATHER, GRANDFATHER AND GREAT-GRANDFATHER

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2011
ANNE B. NEARY, LOVING MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER
WALTER ROBERGE, FORMER RESIDENT OF DRACUT, MA
GILBERT J. MORAN SR., FORMERLY OF LAWRENCE, MA

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011
ELEANOR A. MCGARRY (ELIOPOULOS), FORMER TYNGSBORO BOARD OF SELECTMAN; 74
EDWARD J. FLYNN, SR., LIVED IN PEABODY AND TEWKSBURY, ARMY VET; 87
LLOYD JUSTUS CRANDALL, JR, RETIRED CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER; 81
CHRISTOPHER COLTON MULDOON, INFANT SON OF PELHAM, NH PARENTS



SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2011
VINCENT R. LOCICERO, OF DRACUT, MA; KOREAN WAR VET; 80
FREDERICK JAMES BROUILLETTE, SR., OF CHELMSFORD, MA, KOREAN WAR VET; 78
JUNE MARIE LUCE, LOVING SISTER, MOTHER, AND GRANDMOTHER
JAMES DEMETRIUS 'CHICK' CHICKLIS, MEMBER OF THE TRANSFIGURATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
RICHARD E. BOHANNON, FORMERLY OF BILLERICA, MA, WWII VET; 83
ANTONIA E. 'TONI' GILMAN, LOVING MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER; 89
ANASTASIA HARRISON, RAISED IN DRACUT, MA; 91
YONNIE BALLAS HOUPIS, OF KEENE, NH, RETIRED SCHOOLTEACHER; 79
DOROTHY HOLDEN WERLICH, LIVED IN CHELMSFORD, MA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF NE ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS; 90
DENIS S. ADAMOWSKI, LIFELONG LOWELL RESIDENT

Obituary -- Albert S. Cross of Northfield, Vermont

From: Northfield News, February 2, 1897

Obituary


Albert S. Cross, an old and respected citizen of Northfield, died at his home Jan. 23d. His death came after a protracted illness of four years. The funeral was held at the new church Tuesday, afternoon. Rev. E. C. Downey and Rev. Lucius Colburn of Barre officiating, assisted by the Gouldsville choir. The bearers were Herbert and Ernest, sons of the deceased, and L. B. Johnson and W. C. Terrill, his nephews. An autopsy was held by Drs. Goodale, Winch and Mayo which showed that he died of cancer of pancreas and other complications. He was born in Highgate, Dec. 9, 1829. His early days were spent in various places in Vermont and Canada; at one time he lived a [sic] Fitzroy Harbor, Ca., West, now Ontario, Fitzroy Harbor is now Ottawa, capitol of the Dominion. He once walked all the way from there to Montreal covering most of the way on the ice of the St. Lawrence.* His father afterwards removed to the States. He first talked French. For several terms he attended the Academy at Franklin. Not having the money to continue he went into business and began making brick which was his vocation. After engaging in making brick in several places he came to Gouldsville at the solicitation of friends and went into the bobbin business. In 1865 he married Lucy, daughter of Lucy and Luther Burnham. Soon after he bought out he heirs of the Burnham farm and engaged in farming which he followed till his death. He soon brought up the farm to a high state of  cultivation. At one time he kept 40 cows. The financial panic of 1875 and the consequent fall in property fell heavily on him having bought at war value. He strove hard to work and get started anew. In this his efforts never flaged and had not a fire burnt out his property in 1891, would have undoubtedly succeeded. He was a  man of great hope and always intended to do right. When he might have failed and gone into insolvency and paid a few cents on the dollar he refused to do so, preferring to try and pay 100 cents on the dollar. He was public spirited and had fortune favored him would have done much for the village. He was a man of exemplary habits, never using profane language, tobacco or intoxicating liquors. In 1892 he put up the block known as Cross block, the best business building in Gouldsville. He was taken ill about this time and suffered very much which he bore with wonderful patience and fortitude. He leaves a widow and three children, Mrs. Sanford Hall, Mrs. Eliza Whitney of Enosburg Falls, and Mrs. E. P. Fisk of Northfield; two brothers, Leonard, who lives in Knoxville, Tenn.; and Theodore, of Guelph, Ont.

* The distance was 180 miles (He once walked all the way from there to Montreal covering most of the way on the ice of the St. Lawrence.) 

Albert was my 1st cousin 5 times removed.


Thanks to Larry McGrail (cousin) for sharing the obituary.

The Bash

The day Hurricane Irene hit Massachusetts and New Hampshire was the day we had our first GeneaBlogger Bash on August 27th. It was held at the Rojo's home in Londonderry, New Hampshire. The idea was formed in the early summer when I suggested we should have a Jamboree, so the bloggers could meet one another. The title had to be changed, due to a request, so I suggested "Bash". Heather ran with it, and offered her house as a location. I took the photo for the logo. Heather seemed to enjoy the rest of the planning and preparing the cookout, while the bloggers brought food. We all enjoyed ourselves.

View from the Rojo deck

Because of the storm, quite a few unhappy bloggers backed out. But those who attended left around 4:30, just as it began to rain. What a wonderful time, lots of good talk, meeting new people and great food. I don't believe this will be the last Bash.

Heather and Vincent Rojo

Pam Seavey Schaffner and Kevin Grooms

Russ Worthington

Elizabeth Pyle Handler, her husband Steve,
and Sara Campbell

Liesa Healy-Miller, Pam Seavey Schaffner
and Russ Worthington

Shari Strahan and Michelle Robillard

Laura Prescott and Kevin Grooms

Some of the food

Can't forget their flowers

Angel

Photo of Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine, taken in Aug. 2011

Historical Societies -- Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Acton Historical Society

Acton, Massachusetts

Rindge Historical Society and Museum

Rindge, New Hampshire

Closed this day, but still operating.

New Ipswich Historical Society

New Ipswich, New Hampshire

New Castle Historical Society

New Castle, New Hampshire

Exeter Historical Society

Exeter, New Hampshire

Bette Davis House -- Lowell, Massachusetts

The house is located in Lowell, Massachusetts, about a mile from where I live. Since Bette Davis is one of my favorite actresses, I still love knowing that she lived in Lowell for less than two years. Please see Wikipedia article.

Photo taken May 2019 by Barbara Poole

From The Sun newspaper of Friday, June 29, 2012, there was a section about Bette Davis, called, "One of Hollywood's most successful and feisty actresses born in Lowell."

Bette Davis house on Chester Street off of Westford Street. See the purple line to the Pink House. 

A few things I found interesting:

• In 1921, after seeing some movies, she she decided to become an actress and also changed the spelling of her name from Betty to Bette.
• Her first movie was the 1931 The Bad Sister, but her "big break" was in 1932 with her lead female role in The Man Who Played God. She was nominated 10 times for the Oscar in the Best Actress category, and won 8 times.
• After three failed marriages, she married Gary Merrill, who adopted one of her children. They then adopted two more.
• During that marriage, they visited Lowell to do a reading at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. During this visit, Bette went to the City Hall for copies of her birth certificate.
• In her later years, she had a stroke and breast cancer. Bette died on October 6, 1989, age 81 in France and was buried in the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood.
• "Her son, Michael Merrill, attended the plaque unveiling and thanked people for honoring his mother."

1910 census page for Somerville, Massachusetts. Bette Davis was listed as Ruth E. age 2, born in Massachusetts.