Life From The Roots: Oct 2, 2015

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, October 2, 2015

Wilmington Memorial Library, Wilmington, Massachusetts -- Local History and Genealogy Collection

Wilmington Memorial Library in Wilmington, Massachusetts looks so much like a school, that I missed it the first drive by.

Reference desk as seen from the back entrance door (parking is in the back) and below gives you an idea of the main floor.

Local History, Genealogy, Regional History, and U. S. History collections are located in a small corner away from the center of the Library. The Wilmington local history and genealogy are locked in the file cabinets. The table and chairs are there, but not shown here. I didn't speak with a librarian, so I don't know more than what I'm showing here. I spent time looking through their small website and see they have Ancestry Library.

I love how the Veteran's Collection, Genealogy and Regional History are marked for easy finding and easy retrieval. First time I've seen a collection of books, called, "Veteran's Collection." These shelves are opposite the file cabinets.

The above sign and a coffee machine are the first things you see when you enter through the front door. It's the first time I've seen a coffee machine in any of my previous library visits.

Parking is in the back, and of course, there are woods behind the lot.

Medford Public Library, Medford, Massachusetts -- Local History and Genealogy Section

The Medford Public Library, built 1959, in Medford, Massachusetts was the first library I visited in order to do genealogy research. It hasn't changed in 20 years. With 16 direct lines from this city, I wanted to see what their resources were.

Entrance door.

Reference desk (above), seen as you enter the building, and typical areas in the two below pictures.

The Reference Librarian desk is shown above, and below shows the area for Medford only resources. They are on shelves of the bookcase behind the newspapers hanging. All other reference books are in a closed area to patrons. I feel the collection for the city is quite good, and I took a lot of photos for those interested in Medford.

I spoke with the Reference Library and he told me they subscribe to HeritageQuest Online and Ancestry Library.