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The Life From The Roots blog topics have changed several times since I began this blog in 2009. I initially wrote only about the family history I had been working on for 20 years. Years later, I was into visiting gardens, historical homes, churches, libraries that had genealogical collections, historical societies, war memorials, and travel/tourism places. I also enjoy posting autographs and photos of famous people I've met or have seen.

Along with my New England roots, other areas include New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Please check out the labels on the right side for topics (please note, they need work). Below the labels and pageviews is a listing of my top nine posts, according to Google. Four of them pertain to Lowell, MA. These posts change often because they are based on what people are reading.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Tewksbury Public Library, Tewksbury, Massachusetts -- Genealogy Room and 9/11 Memorial

Tewksbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts
The Genealogy Room had among the smallest collections I've seen. What you see is it. In addition, the room is locked, and you need permission to use it.

Peter Allan Gay
12/16/46 - 9/11/01
American Airlines Flight 11
World Trade Center - North Tower
Peter Paul Hashem
 3/20/61 - 9/11/01
American Airlines Flight 11
World Trade Center - North Tower

The 9/11 Memorial and plaques are next to the Library.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Tombstone Tuesday -- Kittredge of Westford, Massachusetts

Fairview Cemetery
Westford, Massachusetts
William L. Kittredge
Born March 12, 1850
Died January 16, 1892
Aged 41 yrs. 10 mos.
William Kittredge
Died
OCT. 30, 1898
Aged 83 Yrs.,  2 Mos.
---
Elizabeth H.
His Wife
Died
July 16, 1893
Aged  77 Yrs., 4 Mos.

William Kittredge
Died
May 5, 1865
Aged 83 Yrs.
---
Julia
His Wife
Died
Mar. 27, 1822
Aged  37 Yrs.
Burial, Harvard Mass.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

We Do Things Differently, Meeting Up With Another Researcher

He does it his way, and I do it my way. This applies to genealogy too. Several months ago, my husband and I went to the Dover, Library in New Hampshire so he could do some research on his family. Neither of us had been to the library and I was going along for the ride. I brought a yellow folder and a list of things to look up, I always have an ongoing list that I can grab at a moment's notice. He brought an empty small notebook and I think a pencil. Yes, he found some information, something he could have found at almost any library, and I did too. I was far more curious as to their holdings (spanning three genealogy rooms), and he didn't care at all. He had his thing, and that was all that was needed.

I was determined to stay longer to see what else they had and to talk to an older man looking at books in the stacks. I wondered if he was a genea-blogger because I recognized his flip-pal on the table. What a delightful conversation we had, and no he didn't even know what blogs were. But he knew about doing genealogy, the old fashioned way. And, he owned the flip-pal, something I don't have.

When it was time to leave, I assumed my husband would want to check out the cemetery, knowing that his ancestors were buried there. Nope, no interest whatsoever! What kind of genealogist is he? This is perplexing, since he loves going with me on my searches.

So there we have it, he doesn't plan, doesn't look around in the library and doesn't do cemeteries. Yep, we do things differently. But he was happy. I imagine a number of people are like him.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Canals, Gate Houses and Mills, Photos taken in 2012.



 Lowell High School, on both sides of the canal.



 


  



The road above the water used to have buildings on both sides of Central Avenue. The Strand Theater used to be there, and for 9 years, I never knew there was water under the road. Several other roads were also covered.




I wonder if the plan for the Signature Bridge was on the drawing board back in 2012.



This past week, I've seen 12 large mills, numerous gate houses (not all shown above) and many canals. Unfortunately, I've taken too photos to post here. A large number of the mills have been converted into business space and housing. I used to work in one of the mills, at the Boott Mills complex twice. The first job was a part-time one for Christmas, and it was before the mill was renovated. The second job was after the renovation.

Friday, November 2, 2012

A River Runs Through It

I want to thank all of you who have been looking at my blog for the past three days. I wish you could tell me if you are in a class learning about Lowell. I think this is the case because it is apparent that the over 500 hits in two days have all been for Lowell. You've looked at everything from the obituary listings, the Bette Davis House, and all my Lowell photos, each item was looked at at least six times. But no hits for the cemetery photos. Would any of you like me to take photos of something else? You can write me at BarbaraPoole@Gmail.com. In the meantime, I will work on photos of the canals and mills for tomorrow. Thank you.
Merrimack River, Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell is on both sides of the river, which begins in northern New Hampshire and empties out in the Atlantic Ocean.





Pawtucket Falls at the Merrimack River, photo taken October 2012
Same location, after Hurricane Sandy, photo taken Nov. 3, 2012

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Sunday Sights -- Lowell, Massachusetts



 Lowell Memorial Auditorium








Lowell is the home to eight or more mills, seven canals, a major river (Merrimack), a smaller river (Concord) and three riverwalks. Those photos  will be posted in the coming week. See additional photos at the links below.

See More Photos:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3