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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.

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Lowell, Massachusetts Post # 6




 Lowell High School, A Unique School With Lots of History.



New addition being added.




Cappy's Copper Kettle. Central Street (now closed).


University of Massachusetts Lowell Miscellaneous photos



Jack Delano, image taken Jan. 1941.


Bette Davis Birthplace.


City Hall

    9-11-2001 We Will Never Forget Memorial Lowell, Massachusetts
https://lifefromtheroots.blogspot.com/2021/09/9-11-2001-we-will-never-forget-memorial.html

Leaving the City Hall.

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Brick Walls, If you Solve, I'll Pay you $250 or More

 On October 13, 2010, I posted the below request. As yet, 10 7 big brick walls are still unsolved. I thought it was time to repost this in hopes somebody can help. Thank you. This project and offer is closed.

Top Ten -- Brick Walls


My Brick Wall in Lowell, MA has lots of holes.

IF ANYBODY CAN SOLVE ANY OF THESE BRICK WALLS, ALL OF THEM WOULD BE GREAT, I WILL PAY YOU $250 OR MORE FOR BREAKING THROUGH THE WALL.  PLEASE WRITE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION I ALREADY HAVE ON SOME OF THOSE MENTIONED BELOW.

ADAMS, JOHN (Parents information needed.)
Born abt 1757of Wintonbury (now Bloomfield), CT - LexingtonMA - HamiltonNY - ElbaNY
In LexingtonMA during the Revolutionary War
Died September 25, 1830, Elba, Genesee Co., New York
Married to HANNAH SMITH, dau. of Joseph Smith and Eunice Drake of  WindsorCT

FARMER, ALEXANDER “ALEX” (Parents information needed.)
Born March 05, 1814, in New York or Canada
Died January 27, 1864, Calhoun Co., Michigan
Married HULDAH LAY abt 1833 in prob. Niagara Co., New York
Children 5 born bet. NiagaraNY and LeroyMichigan

HAWLEY, BENJAMIN (Parents' information needed.)    SOLVED BY ME    DECEMBER 2017
Born abt. 1743
Died Jan. 25, 1831, Tompkins, Delaware Co., New York
Married February 05, 1778, to THEODOSIA FITCH at Lebanon, New London Co., Connecticut  (Had 8 children)

HULLNANCY (Parents information needed.)
Born 1790, Woodbridge, New Haven Co., Connecticut
Married 1807 to JESSE WRIGHT, son of ASHER WRIGHT Prob. Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut
She and her husband both died February 07, 1878, one in New Haven, and the other in Killingworth

JAQUAYS, WILLIAM (Parents information needed.)
Born bet. 1784 – 1790, poss. CT or VT (No other information)
Married LUCY CROSS of Windham, Windham Co., Connecticut
Lucy died January 14, 1878 at Cowansville, Missisquoi Co., QuebecCanada
Children were: Louisa Jane / Elizabeth Jaquays, Thankful, Sarah, William Cross, and Harriet C. (all of AddisonVermont and Missisquoi Co., QuebecCanada

JOHNSON ELIZABETH / BETSEY  (Father was William, need more information and her mother's name)  SOLVED by a reader, AND PAID HIM.
Born November 07, 1751, Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts
Died March 19, 1799, Dublin, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire
Married October 21, 1773, DAVID MEAD / MEED at Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts
(Two children born Lynn, Mass., one in New Ipswich, New Hampshire)

JOHNSONLYDIA (Parents needed, no other information.)
Born Abt. 1822, Vermont
Died March 22, 1858, Dunham, Missisquoi Co., QuebecCanada
Married WILLIAM CROSS JAQUAYS October 24, 1839, at Franklin Co., Vermont

MUNSON, ANNA or ANN (__) (Surname needed.)
Born Abt. 1731, Died April 18, 1772, Plainview, Hartford Co., Connecticut
Married WAITSTILL MUNSON (They had 2 children, Esther and Anna.)

RICHARDSON, ALMIRA “MIRA”  (Parents' names needed.) SOLVED BY ME MARCH 2019  I wrote a blog: ThruLines, and Wrong Assumptions Brought my "Brick Wall" Down This is my most popular blog, according to Google (see listed on the lower right side).
Born abt. 1798 of Orange, New Haven Co., Connecticut
She was adopted by JOHN BYRAN.
Died April 22, 1861, New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut
Was married to AARON KILBORN of Hamden Co., Connecticut

WYCKOFF, GERRITJE (Parents names needed.)
Died Abt 1725
Married JOHN (Jan) PIETERSE Van NESS (his 1st wife of 4 years)
Had son, JOHN (Jan) PIETERSE Van NESS born 1722 Readington, Somerset Co., New Jersey

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Stevens Memorial Library, Ashburnham, Massachusetts (See Resources for Genealogists)

 

20 Memorial Drive, Ashburnham, MA 01430
Phone: 978-827-4115

I was glad I made the decision to visit the Ashburnham Library on March 30, 2024, a nice sunny, windy cold day. It took about an hour from home and I had to pass through Fitchburg, a major city I've never been in. Ashburnham is a small town with a population of about 6,000 and I found it to be extremely hilly with a lot of woods. Because I was so excited to see the converted school, now the library, I missed taking some pictures. That means a return trip. (I returned on April 27th.)

The front doors I entered into, and faced the front counter and office area.

These steps take you to the 2nd floor as well as the elevator.

The librarian, Holden, took me upstairs to unlock the The Preservation Room for me. This is where their History and Genealogy books and maps are kept under lock and key. He mentioned that they were working on putting material online. If you have ancestors from Ashburnham, you must see their collection here.

The cabinets and map draws are on both sides of the room. The clock is a Silas Hoadley Clock, circa 1800-1810. It was difficult to take a picture of the holdings because of the reflection. However, what I saw were books I've seen in other libraries.


This cabinet was open because somebody was doing research. With permission, I took pictures and am very glad to see what they have. Binders included:
Businesses
Cemeteries
Churches
Fire Department
Funeral Records
House Places
Local History
History
Houses and Places

Below is the length of the room, from the above windows. By the door is a very large lift for a wheelchair or for somebody who can't walk the stairs. Visitors have to pass through a community room.

Below are five photos of the first floor. I love the original woodwork and wooden blinds.





The children's area is on the lowest floor. I took this shot to show the hooks for children to hang their belongings. I've never seen this at a library.
The back of the library has a large playground and the name of the school, Dolly Whitney Adams School. This rather confused me, until I drove around to the front and saw the library name.

From Wikipedia, "
  • Bette Davis, a legendary actress of film, television, and theater. She lived in Ashburnham while attending Cushing Academy, graduating in 1927." I'm sharing this because, Bette was born in Lowell, MA, the city I live in.

Ashburnham is bordered by Rindge, New Hampshire, and New Ipswich, New Hampshire to the north.

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Scramlin --- What a Difference Time Makes -- Using Google Photos

I used Google to search my surname Scramlin images on April 26, 2004. As you can see, from the above print, only seven images appeared. Fortunately, there were two tombstone photos, but they didn't help with my research.

Fast forward to December 17, 2023, now there are too many to number. For images, there are photos of people, farms, houses, a few maps, business pictures, and my blog.  https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=591685144&rlz=1C1ONGR_enUS1002US1002&sxsrf=AM9HkKmUTkX7VeON2SEY1Z7botiZ4kQSfg:1702831922020&q=scramlin&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwj-xcue95aDAxWWGFkFHTlTDjAQ0pQJegQIDRAB&biw=1024&bih=454&dpr=1.5  

I think I was far more excited about 20 years ago doing online research than now.