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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.

Sunday, January 7, 2024

Harmony Grove Cemetery, Salem, Massachusetts

Harmony Grove Cemetery
30 Grove St, Salem, MA 01970
Date formed: 1840

From the website is this write-up, "At nearly 100 acres in size, Harmony Grove Cemetery has avenues and paths that meander through its over 21,000 monuments or burial markers, and rare and unusual plantings and tree specimens. Facing the entrance to the cemetery is the Blake Chapel, a beautiful gothic-style structure built in 1904 of Cape Ann granite."

I've visited the cemetery a number of times but not the office. My first visit was in 1999 and the most recent was this past May. I had a lengthy conversation with the staff of two and asked a lot of questions. When you scroll down in this blog you will see printouts I obtained. I was very curious to learn if they were online. The answer was no, but they were sure it would happen in the future. The other day, I called the office to see if the online project was completed, because I wanted to share the information. However, they think it might be as long as a year. When it happens, it would be a reason to celebrate.
Main Entrance

The Blake Chapel is above and to the left is the business office on Highland Avenue (side view), shown below.

Main door, looking out. Office photos below.


The two women staff were most helpful to me. I didn't expect what they gave me. After bringing out two large binders (shown above), they showed me the listings of all those buried in this cemetery. I asked to see a listing for Poole, which turned out to be quite lengthy. I have eight direct Poole names and two Daniels names listed. I was very lucky when they offered to make copies of the pages for me. (Shown below.)

 
Back entrance to the office, and parking area.




 

Saturday, January 6, 2024

I Recently Received Photos of My Poole Grandparents, They Loved Cats


Clarence F. Poole   1891-1957
Photo dated 1940

Marjorie Adams Poole   1891-1953
Photo dated 1940

Photo of their house taken about 1935.

(Google Nov. 22, 2023)
Grandparents lived here 30 years.

Both of these pictures are of my grandmother holding my father in 1919.

Friday, January 5, 2024

Merrimac Public Library, Merrimac, Massachusetts (Resources for Genealogists)

Merrimac Public Library
86 W Main St,
Merrimac, Essex Co., Massachusetts
https://www.merrimaclibrary.org/

I didn't know what to expect from this ordinary-looking rather new library. I quickly looked around inside and didn't see anything of interest. So, I asked the reference librarian if they have a history/genealogy room. So...

She walked me over to the closed doors of the most beautiful room I've ever seen. And there are many, many genealogy and history books! Merrimac is a small town, with less than 7,000 people, so this library really surprised me. She turned the lights on, and I enjoyed looking around.






These books, known as the Tan Books in Massachusetts contain B-M-D vital records for many of the towns to 1850.




Lights out and I was sorry to leave. Unfortunately, I have no ancestors from this area.

Genealogy / Local History Resources

Local History Room

Please call for open hours or to schedule an appointment. Our collection includes:

  • local town histories
  • family genealogies
  • vital records
  • military/war references
  • general genealogy references
  • old Merrimac newspapers
  • Merrimac history resources

Family Search logo. A tree grows in place of the letter Y.

FamilySearch.org is the largest genealogy organization in the world. This is a free service to all. No memberships or joining fees are required. They provide 24/7 free expert phone support and have 4,500 Family History Centers worldwide. This service is not sponsored or provided by the Merrimac Public Library. You do not need a library card to use FamilySearch.org.


Other rooms in the library.




This is a photo of the previous library which was way too small and had major water damage. It now houses the historical society. The new library was completed in 2004.

In their community-attached room, a Christmas craft sale was being held. I enjoyed walking from table to table.

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Merrimack Public Library, Merrimack, New Hampshire (Resources for Genealogists)


Merrimack Public Library
470 Daniel Webster Hwy.
Merrimack, New Hampshire 03054
603-424-5021

Lowell Memorial Library, now known as Merrimack Public Library
(Front entrance is not used.)

Park in the back.

Entrance.

Some Genealogy Books shown below.








Computer area.

Reading areas.

These two photos are part of the original library, including the front door on the above left. Above and below.

The Lowell Room (as the sign indicates)  is the front original room with the fireplace.


The rocking chair states 275. I asked about the number and was told that last year Merrimack celebrated its 275th birthday!


At the reference desk, there was this strange machine. I'm glad I asked what it was because I always wanted to see what a 3D printer looked like. This one is available to print some small items, and I was shown some toy animals.

Side view. The old library connects with the new addition.

Research Databases

Genealogy & Biography

A collection of databases from the New England Historic Genealogical Society covering many types of American and New England and historical and genealogical records. This database must be accessed through a Library computer or a device connected to the Library's Wi-Fi.  
Overview essays, biographies, events, timelines, primary sources, images, videos, maps, charts, and tables covering over 500 years of American history. 
A searchable genealogical database that includes US census, military records, immigration records, and many other sources for tracing your ancestors. This database must be accessed through a Library computer or a device connected to the Library's Wi-Fi.  
A comprehensive research tool that enables a quick search of articles, essays, and primary source documents from journals, abstracts, magazines, US and international newspapers, encyclopedias, dictionaries, books, biographies, television and radio transcripts, and historical essays. View thousands of topical videos and images from trusted sources such as the Associated Press. Topics covered include history, current events, science, health, and biographies. Perfect for school research. 
Explore your family history with this premier collection of US obituaries and death notices for in-depth genealogical research. Powered by NewsBank, HeritageHub indexes records from 1824 to the present.
A genealogy-focused resource offering access to hundreds of historical and genealogical publications and family histories in addition to detailed census records.

Culture, History, & Current Events

Collects the links for all the Library's popular EBSCO products, including MasterFILE Premier, Academic Search Premier, GreenFILE, TOPICsearch, and more! You can also access a select portion of the databases (MasterFILE Premier, Health Source - Consumer Edition, NewspaperSource) through the EBSCOhost app available on the Apple and Android app stores.
Overview essays, biographies, events, timelines, primary sources, images, videos, maps, charts, and tables covering over 500 years of American history. 
Thousands of royalty-free country, state, geological, weather, historical, and political maps to print or download. Great for students and travelers.
Full-text electronic archive of the Concord Monitor from 2000 to the present.
Open Access - International index of high-quality, peer-reviewed journals and scientific articles that do not include embrago periods.
A comprehensive research tool that enables a quick search of articles, essays, and primary source documents from journals, abstracts, magazines, US and international newspapers, encyclopedias, dictionaries, books, biographies, television and radio transcripts, and historical essays. View thousands of topical videos and images from trusted sources such as the Associated Press. Topics covered include history, current events, science, health, and biographies. Perfect for school research. 
Everything you've ever wanted to know about the countries of the world, including basic facts, weather and climate, economics, travel information for tourists, food recipes to expand your cooking horizons, safety concerns, and much more. 
A one-stop source for information on issues in the latest headlines. Access pro & con articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, and discussion questions and activities. Perfect for debate preparation and essays.
Keep current on local and national topics with news sources spanning the US, including full-text digital versions of the Nashua Telegraph, the Manchester Union Leader/New Hampshire Daily News, the Concord Monitor, and hundreds of other regional and national newspapers.  
Online versions of selected titles found on the Merrimack Public Library's reference shelf that can be viewed anywhere with an Internet connection instead of having to read the physical editions at the Library.
Full-text electronic archive of the The Telegraph  from 1984 to the present.