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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.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Memorial Hall Library, Andover, Massachusetts -- History and Genealogy Room

I was very anxious to get back to this library, the Memorial Hall Library in Andover, since it's been about 15 years, and I was curious about their genealogy collection now. The library has a large addition but managed to keep very little of the original library structure, which I was sad to see.


The main reference desk, with the original clock.
This is the genealogy room for the public. (Above and two photos below.)



I learned that the special collection is now in a closed-off area, but because I was able to explain to the Librarian what I was doing, he was very happy to show me the room and explain what they had.


Jay Leno is from Andover, Massachusetts. If I remember correctly, this is a signed the book.

A little bit of old.
Parking meters are in the rear of the thebuilding, and even with the lot, finding a space could be difficult. The Library is on a main street at a major intersection.

From the Library site is the Abbott Genealogies collection.
"Andover genealogist Charlotte Helen Abbott wrote these unpublished genealogies. Earlier versions of some genealogies were published in the Andover Townsman, the local newspaper. They generally cover older Andover families through the late 19th century. Miss Abbott's genealogies are subjective and rich with anecdotes, but list few sources. Kay O’Neil, with the cooperation of the Andover Historical Society, worked to digitize the typescript manuscript. Originals are also held at Memorial Hall Library."

UPDATE: 1/24/18  I found a few webpages for this library with plenty of information about Andover. Check them out!  

Historical Newspaper Collection

Digital Collections and Links


Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Huntress Buried in Lowell, Massachusetts -- Tombstone Tuesday

Everett J. Huntress
1852  --  1898

Laurana R. Huntress
1825  --  1900
They are buried in the Lowell Cemetery, Lowell, Massachusetts.
(Unable to determine their relationship from Lowell records.)

Runels Buried in Lowell, Massachusetts -- Tombstone Tuesday

1852  HENRY RUNELS  1927
1854  MARTHA J. RUNELS  1934
1882  ETHEL RUNELS  1883
1894  FRANK RUNELS  1915
1875  GEORGE H. RUNELS
HIS WIFE
1878  ANNA GREENWOOD RUNELS  1968
They are buried in the Lowell Cemetery, Lowell, Massachusetts.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

37,000 Flags for Memorial Day in Boston

Fortunately, I heard about the flags on the evening news and knew I had to make a trip to Boston to see them first hand. The Boston Common is huge, and after walking quite a bit, I finally asked several people if they had seen the flags, they hadn't. Soon, I did, and what a sight. A moving sight, and I hope you get an idea from the pictures below. 
Memorial Day isn't just another holiday.

This garden of 37,000 flags was planted in memory of every fallen Massachusetts service member from the Revolutionary War to the present. These flags will be on display through Memorial Day weekend for your observance and reflection. Please remember and honor the ultimate sacrifices of our local heroes.

For more information about the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund, please visit www.massmilitaryheroes.org

Each flag represents a fallen service member; please respect the display.











Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Spalding Family, Lowell, Massachusetts -- Tombstone Tuesday


William B. Spalding
October 21, 1844 - March 9, 1912
Benefactor of Lowell General Hospital and Lowell Humane Society.

Mary E. Spalding, His Wife
March 27, 1835 - April 10, 1929
Benefactress of the Faith Home for Children and The Children's Home.

Wilcox and Coburn, Lowell, Massachusetts -- Tombstone Tuesday

Lowell Cemetery, Lowell, Massachusetts
(Front and Back)

William B. Wilcox
July 23, 1857
Feb. 20, 1920
Ida M. wife of
William B. Wilcox
Mar. 17, 1856
Bertha W. Coburn Foss
1879 - 1943
Frederick W. Coburn
1873 - 1918
Charles E. Foss
1873 - 1928
Shirley Coburn Wilson
1911 - 1981
Daughter of
F. W. and B. W. Coburn
Anne Whipple Coburn
wife of
C. B. Coburn
1917 - 1991

 Charles B. Coburn
son of
F. W. and B. C. Coburn
1912 - 1993

Monday, May 5, 2014

War Memorial, Westford, Massachusetts




Pioneers
and
Colonial Period
1675  --  1763

Revolutionary War
1775  --  1783
Two hundred and fifty men served
Thirty-five men died.

War of 1812  --  1815

IN MEMORIAM
Joel Abbot
Walter Abbot
Oliver Fletcher
James Kemp

Civil War
1861  --  1865

THESE GAVE THEIR LIVES
Harvey N. Bailey
James Bicknell
Nathan D. Bicknell
George W. Blodgett
Savillion B. Coburn
John W. Craig
Reuben W. Cummings
William Dane
Anoil Davis
William Dinsmore
Albert W. Fletcher
James T. Flint
Henry A. Friar
John Harris
Francis P. Howard
Edward E. Hutchins
Thomas J. Hutchins
Warren E. Hutchins
Alfred Jackson
Franklin M. Jewett
John Jubb
Edward Keyes
George M. Kawrence
Charles Miner
Hiram Peabody
Augustus Reed
Charles B. Reed
Luther F. Reed
Luther F. Reed
John F. Richards
Alfred A. Richardson
Gardner H. Richardson
Patrick Sheahan
William H. Shedd
John Z. Taylor
Dexter W. Waterman

The Spanish American War
1898  --  1902

IN MEMORIAM
Fred P. Collins
Frank D. O'Brien
Philip R. Prescott

World War
1917  --  1918

IN MEMORIAM
Edward J. Bechard
J. Norbert Brule
Thomas Costello
Adlard Langley
Napoleon J. Lanctot
Antonio Palermo
Charles Smith
Orion V. Wells

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Chelmsford, Massachusetts Has Gone Back in Time

Earlier today, I did a post about a May Breakfast I went to in Chelmsford. It wasn't until we left, that somebody mentioned how nice the area looked since they removed all the telephone poles, and put the wires and cables underground. Once it was pointed out, I could tell the difference, and it was nice seeing how this part of the town may have looked many years ago, before electricity. Many of the buildings were there before that time.
No telephone poles! New sitting area in the old green.
 Streets around the green. I must say, it looks great.

 Old 1879 Town Hall was recently renovated.
(New Town Hall is in another location.)
 Monument and Toll House.
Middlesex Canal Toll House 1832  Oldest Canal Toll House in America. Donated by Heirs of Judge Samuel P. Hadley.
 Old house, now a bank.
Harriet B. Rogers, assisted by Mary S. Byam, opened here in 1866 the Chelmsford School. The first in America to susccessfully teach lip-reading and speech to deaf children. In 1867 it was moved to Northampton as the Clarke School for the Deaf.
Next to the church, the 1655 Forefathers Burial Ground and old school.