Welcome to the Massachusetts - Reference Books

Medway to 1900 -Births, marriages & deaths - 1995, 190 pp., 8.5x11, index, paper, $31.50 #ZD555

Natick to 1850 - Births, marriages & deaths. Reprint, paper, $21.00 #ZB042

Tisbury to 1850 - Births, marriages & deaths. (1910) reprint, 244 pp., paper, $22.50 #ZN181

Historical Collections, Volume I - Holmes Ammidown. This book covers five different, yet related topics, four of which are early town histories. The towns covered are: Oxford, MA; Dudley, MA; Webster, MA; and Woodstock, CT (originally in MA). Each town's history is discussed from its formation and settlement up to the time that the book was originally published, 1874. The first section in the book is a very in depth look at the Reformation in France. The author hoped that a look at the Reformation might provide an insight into what drove a small group of thirty Huguenot families to leave behind all that they knew and head to the wilderness of the New World to establish a place where they might worship freely. (1874) reprint, 557 pp., illus., maps, new index, paper, $33.50 #ZA001

Historical Collections, Volume Two - Holmes Ammidown. This book covers the town histories of Sturbridge, Charlton and Southbridge, MA. Each town's history is discussed from its formation and settlement, up to the time that the book was originally published. The histories of Sturbridge and Charlton include the petition for the town and grant, the origin of the name of the town, a list of manufacturing companies, the schools and churches of the area, and biographical information on some of the predominant members of the community. The history of Southbridge contains all of the above, plus more detailed information about the town including the new roads and highways, the cemetery, a broad list of manufacturing companies, and a history of the churches. (1874) reprint, 598 pp., illus., maps, new index, paper, $37.00 #ZA002

Historical Sketches of Andover, (comprising the present towns of North Andover and Andover), Massachusetts - Sarah Loring Bailey. This thorough history covers the geology of the area; Andover's role in the early Indian wars; witchcraft; the French and Indian War; the Revolutionary War; public schools and libraries, academies, the theological seminary; mills and manufactures. Thousands of names are given by way of lists of taxpayers, town officers, justices of the peace, pastors, churches, students, death registers, and military rolls. Also of interest are inventory lists, wills, tombstone inscriptions, lists of proprietors, bills of sale and marriage intentions of slaves, and indenture papers. Detailed family histories are given. Photographs portray many family homes. (1880) reprint, 626 pp., 2 vols, illus., index, paper, $40.50 #ZB034

A History of Framingham, Massachusetts - William Barry. History of the town down to 1845. Has about 300 pages of genealogies of early families. (1847) reprint, 456 pp., index, cloth, $39.00 #ZB110

Biographical Review, Volume XXVII: Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Essex County, Massachusetts - Biographical Review. This classic volume contains over 600 pages of biographical sketches of citizens from Essex County, Massachusetts. The individuals examined in this work "may be considered fairly representative of the intelligent, industrious, enterprising population, urban and rural, of Essex County, in the last decade of the nineteenth century. Many of the names here set forth reveal descendants of the original colonists of this early settled section of the old Bay State; others, the children and grandchildren of later comers; and yet others denote worthy citizens of foreign birth or parentage." In addition to the biographical sketches, effort has been made to trace ancestral lines and "collateral kinship" when possible. These extra additions, along with an everyname index, make this informative volume all the more valuable as a tool for genealogical research. Due to its early settlement, Essex County, which occupies the northeast corner of Massachusetts, is an area of genealogical relevance to many Americans. Hence, this book should not only be of interest to current residents of Essex County, but to families who have since migrated throughout the country. It is works such as this that help answer the age-old question framed by Xenophanes and quoted by the compiler of this volume, "Who among men art thou, and thy years how many, good friend?" (1898) reprint, 620 pp., index, paper, $42.00 #ZB356

Bradford's History "Of Plimoth Plantation" from the Original Manuscript - Gov. William Bradford. William Bradford was first elected Governor of Plymouth Colony in April of 1622. He was re-elected annually thereafter until 1657, except for five scattered years, and thus he played a dominant role in the development of Plymouth Colony. About 1630 he began to record the history of the Colony from its inception until 1647, finishing his manuscript in 1651. His history was used in manuscript form by many of the early American historical writers but was not published in book form and disappeared about the time of the Revolution. The manuscript was discovered quite by chance in the mid-1800s in the Library of the Bishop of London, and the first complete edition was published in 1856. This reprint is made from a second edition published by the state of Massachusetts in 1901 to commemorate the return of the original manuscript from England; it corrects numerous errors and omissions which had appeared in the 1856 edition. In this reprint we have eliminated about sixty pages of "addresses" by various religious and political figures which unnecessarily bloated the front matter, but Bradford's writing is here intact. (1901) reprint, 555 pp., illus., everyname plus subject index, paper, $37.50 #ZB605

The Records of the Town of Cambridge (Formerly Newtowne) Massachusetts, 1630-1703 - Edward J Brandon. This volume contains a complete transcription of the first volume of Cambridge records of Town Meetings and Selectmen's actions for the period 1630-1703, and as such represents an important building block of historical and genealogical documentation. (1901) reprint, 397 pp., illus., index, cloth $36.00 #ZB600

Inscriptions on the Grave Stones in the Grave Yards of Northampton and of Other Towns in the Valley of the Connecticut, as Springfield, Amherst, Hadley, Hatfield, Deerfield, &c. with Brief Annals of Northampton - Thomas Bridgman. The author took great care to trace and transcribe the gravestone inscriptions included in this book. He recorded the entire inscriptions, which typically included the individual's name and date of death but could also include such information as age, date of birth, family members, occupation, cause of death and an epitaph. In some cases, the author has included his own notation of supplementary information about the individual or the grave site. The dates of the inscriptions range from the mid-17th century to the mid-19th century. Most of the towns listed are in Massachusetts, but some are in Vermont and Connecticut. In addition to the short history of Northampton which opens the book, the author has included abstracts from original documents and brief historical summaries of some of the other towns as well. An everyname index makes it easy to find the gravestone inscription of a particular person. The family of Massachusetts Governor Caleb Strong is covered extensively. Some other names with long listings are Allen, Bliss, Bridgman, Clark, Dwight, Edwards, Hunt, Lyman, Parsons and Wright. (1850) reprint, 227 pp., illus., index, $22.00#ZB632

Genealogical Data Extracted from Boston Selectmen's Minutes, 1736-1775 - Brigitte Burkett. The Selectmen of Boston, met frequently to take care of the town business. The Town Clerk faithfully recorded the minutes of these meetings, rich with historical and genealogical information. The largely routine business covered in each meeting provides important genealogical data such as the participants in the `General Walk or Visitation' of the town, the inspectors of the schools, names of those requesting liquor licenses and building permits, smallpox victims and `Strangers'. These minutes contain all of the town business for the years 1736-1775. The events are listed in alphabetical order according to the name of the person involved. 1993, 486 pp., paper, $31.50 #ZB865

Gravestone Inscriptions and Records of Tomb Burials in the Granary Burying Ground, Boston, Massachusetts - Ogden Codman. This cemetery was first laid out on Tremont Street along the Commons in the heart of Boston in 1660. It was first called the "New Burying Ground" and was later known as the "South Ground" and the "Common Ground," and finally as the "Granary Burying Ground." The latter name derived from the fact that it was adjacent to the city's granary building. In addition to the graves, there are 204 tombs, 85 of which were built between 1720 and 1738. The earliest identified burial is that of John Wakefield who died 18 June 1667. The inscriptions presented here were first compiled in 1863 by Thomas B. Wyman Jr. Another reading was made in 1905 and all discrepancies between the two compilations are noted. In addition to the inscriptions from the gravestones and tombs, the present work also includes records of tomb burials which took place between 1810 and 1849, as derived from the records of the City Register, and a partial list of tomb owners. The people buried here include such notables as John Hancock, Samuel Adams and Paul Revere, as well as ordinary citizens. More than six thousand deaths are listed in alphabetical order. (1918) reprint, 255 pp., paper, $22.00 #ZC515

Provincetown Massachusetts Cemetery Inscriptions - Lurana H. Cook, Hugh F Cook, Anne G. MacIntyre and John S MacIntyre. This compilation of Cape Cod records consists of complete transcriptions of about 4,000 gravestones from three of the four oldest cemeteries in Provincetown, as well as a study of smallpox burials there. The inscriptions have been retained in lot groupings to aid researchers, and where stones were difficult to read they have been checked against vital records of the town for accuracy. 1980, 255 pp., maps, index, cloth, $25.00 #ZC410

Every Day But Sunday: The Romantic Age of New England Industry - Jennie F. Copeland. A study of the development of industry in Mansfield, MA. "It is both a story of Yankee individualism, and a record of the romantic beginnings and early development of industry in America." Chapter titles include Beginnings and Bog Iron; Tacks and Nails; Cotton Factories; The Railroad; Coal Mines; Basketmakers; Cutlery Shops; Machine Shops; The Bailey Bakeshop and Ovens; Yankee Peddlers and Soap Makers; Foundries; Jewelry Shops; Cranberries; Military Companies; Brass Bands; Horse Racing; and more. (1936) reprint, 294 pp., illus., original fullname plus subject index, cloth, $31.50 #ZC562

Cemetery Inscriptions of Dennis, Massachusetts - Burton Nathaniel Derick. Where the stones are slate, or of ancient design, a description of the stone is included. All inscriptions and epitaphs are as complete as possible. The oldest stones date from the early 1700's with information regarding the earliest settlers in the region. The cemeteries that are included in this book are: Howes, Dennis Village (Map), Hall, Scargo Indian, Paddock, Worden, Quivet, Sears (Map), Quaker, Ancient South Dennis, South Dennis Congregational Church (Map), West Dennis (Maps of Parish Ground and Methodist Church sections), Baker, Wixon, Swan Lake (Map), and West Harwich Baptist Church. 1993, 567 pp., maps, index, paper $41.00 #ZD163

Genealogical History of the Town of Reading, Massachusetts, Including the Present Towns of Wakefield, Reading, and North Reading, With Chronological and Historical Sketches, from 1639 to 1874 - Hon. Lilley Eaton. (1874) reprint, 849 pp., 2 vols., illus., index, paper, $54.50 #ZE075

The Essex Genealogist - Essex Society of Genealogists, Inc. Recurring highlights of the journals include the "TEG Feature Article," "It Happened in Essex County" (local history), "Crest and Shield" (heraldry information), "Tools of the Trade" (advice on genealogical resources), "The Ahnentafel" (family generational charts), "Research in Progress," "Ask TEG," "Society News," and "Genealogical Queries." While there is enough general information and advice to make this book valuable to anyone interested in genealogy, those with genealogical interest specific to Essex County, Massachusetts, could not hope for a better resource. Volume 3, 1983 - Essex Society of Genealogists, Inc. Feature Articles: "The Professional Genealogist," "The New England Historic Genealogical Society," "The Great Indian Shake-Down in Essex County," "New EnglandChurch Records." Crest and Shield: Glover, Hale, Hawkes, Jackson, Fiske, George, Graves, Harvey, Johnson, Jones, King, Knight, Lane, Mansfield, Marsh. Research in Progress: Gott family, William Perkins, Perkins family, the Holyoke Grant, Edmund Johnson of Salem, Dr. Charles Chauncey Chandler, Jeffrey Massey family, Bates family, Calvin Shepherd, Alvah Cotton, John Wells Small. Other family names featured in this volume: Fairfield, Hawkes (Cook), Hutchison (Lee), Haynes, McCormick, Tuttle (Woods) (Henry), Wiswall, Ritter (Runner), Buckman (Morrison), Wills, Alden (Clement), Poland, Clark (Olsen), Sharpe (Heckman), Woodman (Brooks). Miscellaneous: Rev. Joseph Capen (Topsfield parson from 1682 to 1725), list of old tombstone inscriptions in Manchester's Rosedale Cemetery, Topsfield ancestors of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. (1983) reprint, 262 pp., 8.5x11, illus., new index, paper, $35.00 #ZE003

Volume 4, 1984 - Essex Society of Genealogists, Inc. Feature Articles: "Do Your Homework Before Coming to Ireland," "The Boston Irish," "Research in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island," "Utilizing Land Records in Genealogical Research." Crest and Shield: Manning, Proctor, Cook, Perkins, Peck, Hart, Haskell, Lewis, Lord. Research in Progress: Giles Burley, Lee family, Mae Wilson, Pierce, Henry Rhodes of Lynn, Perkins/Swain, Moses Lufkin of Ipswich and Gloucester, Procter family, Cogswell/French, Sarah Wildes. Other family names featured in this volume: Gile, Graham, Bixby (Szabronski), Esty (McKinney), Bartlett, Holyoke, Daland, Haskell, Dole (Jackson), Merrill (Goulette), Pease, Parsons, Whitman (Lawler), Fitch, Ayers, Amesbury, Hayden (Martino), Woodman, Eakin (Smith), Spiller. Miscellaneous: Bible record of Reuben Freeman and Susan S. Mager, roster of sea captains buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Newburyport. (1984) reprint, 266 pp., 8.5x11, illus., new index, paper, $35.00 #ZE004

Volume 5, 1985 - Feature Articles: "The Distaff Side Did Make a Difference: Contributions of Some Colonial Women Made to their Homes and Communities," "Genealogical Research in New York City," "Getting the Most Out of Census Records," "Pitfalls in Genealogical Research." Crest and Shield: Ward, Warren, Dexter, Gorton, Allen, Brown, Pierce, Pratt. Other family names featured in this volume: Pierce, Graffam, Ryker (Chiarello), Hawkins, Ellison, Bailey, Dexter, Mansfield, Heard, Darling, Fewkes, Brown (Hepker), Murray (Koehler), Marsh (Goldsmith), Henderson, Hewes, Graves, Lovejoy, Whitford, Waite, Stone. Miscellaneous: "The Great Newburyport Conflagration of 1811," "Gone West--Massachusetts Men in California, 1856." (1985) reprint, 272 pp., 8.5x11, illus., new index, paper, $35.00 #ZE005

Volume 6, 1986 - Feature Articles: "Researching Scottish Ancestors," "Scotch Prisoners Deported to New England by Cromwell, 1651-52," "What's New in Northern New England," "Passenger Lists and Naturalizations," "Giving Up Ancestors." Crest and Shield: Gray, Read, Tarbox, Tucker, Crosby, Vincent, Adams, Baily. Other family names featured in this volume: Chaplin, Winchester (Hertz), Dolbear (Lovejoy), Hale, Gorham, Rogers, Whitford, Rhoades, Graves, Lord, Daniels, Brown (Conary), Southwick, Alexander (Wilhelm), Reed (Linden), Bishop. (1986) reprint, 268 pp., 8.5x11, illus., new index, paper, $35.00 #ZE006

Volume 7, 1987 - Essex Society of Genealogists, Inc. Feature Articles: "The Lowells of Massachusetts," "Scandinavian Research," "Research in Essex Co.," "Colonial Wars and the Narragansett Land Grants." Crest and Shield: George, Giles, Hamilton, Howard, Little, Jackson, Chickering, Martin. Research in Progress: descendants of Christopher Lindsey of Lynn, William Woodman of Frankfort ME, John Smith of Back Cove, Thomas Hanscom of Kittery ME, Phebe Rogers, William and Daniel Tilton, Theophilus Wilder, Nahant Johnson family. It Happened in Essex Co.: "Wenham's Most Noted Resident_Tim Pick," "Woe Upon Thacher_Rockport," "William Hathorn of Cushing [ME]," "John Stone: First Ferryman of Beverly_," "The Reverend Elias Smith of Middleton." Other family names featured in this volume: Plummer (Kettler), Blaney, Southwick, Cotton (MacDonald), Ranks, Griebel, Atkinson (Young), Hall (Wilhelm), Towne, Massey, Garland, Parker, Carter, Nickerson (Frost). Miscellaneous: "17th and 18th Century Massachusetts Court Records of the Supreme Judicial Court," "Seamen's Protection Certificates." (1987) reprint, 271 pp., 8.5x11, illus., new index, paper, $35.00 #ZE007

Volume 8, 1988 - Essex Society of Genealogists, Inc. Feature Articles: "The Massachusetts State Archives," "Writing, Arranging and Publishing your Family Genealogy," "Five Case Studies in Genealogical Research," "The Parkman Manuscript." Research in Progress: Thadeus Berry of Rumney Marsh, Thomas Barnard, Gowing family, James Sawyer, Berry family, Howard brothers, William Nichols of Topsfield, Nicholas Browne, Samuel Farrar. It Happened in Essex Co.: "Rev. John Wise of Essex," "Walter Phillips of Swampscott," "Nathan Dane." Other family names featured in this volume: Garland, Dodge, Peabody, Abbott, Walsh, Bulkley, Perry, Cowley, Glawson (White), Brown (Beaudry), Willis (Morrison), Townsend, Spiller, Holmes, Canney, Richardson, Twitchell. Miscellaneous: "The Puritan Poet of Andover," "Not All Our Ancestors Died Peacefully in Their Beds." (1988) reprint, 274 pp., 8.5x11, illus., new index, paper, $35.00 #ZE008

Volume 9, 1989 - Essex Society of Genealogists, Inc. Feature Articles: "Church Records...of Reading, Massachusetts...from 1640 to 1846," "The Scotch-Irish in New England," "Making the Connection to Ireland," "A Second Look at the Great Migration," "Doomsday in the Swift River Valley." Research in Progress: Tilton family, Edmund Needham, Gowing family, King family, McKeen family. It Happened in Essex Co.: "The Spirit of the Town [Rev. Samuel Dudley]," "A Town Built on a Promise [Merrimac]," "The Not So Settled Pastor [Rev. Thomas Wells]." Other family names featured in this volume: Townsend, Berry, Hood, Stickney, Wittmeyer, Brower, Plummer, Kettler, Cone, Richardson, Goss, Murrow, White, Hazelwood, Wise, Turner. Miscellaneous: "Old Time Lottery," "Child Labor in Colonial Massachusetts." (1989) reprint, 284 pp., 8.5x11, illus., new index, paper, $35.00 #ZE009

Volume 10, 1990 - Essex Society of Genealogists, Inc. Feature Articles: "Research in New Hampshire," "Jacob Lurvey (1761-1853)...," "Two Coincidences Lead to Abbot(t) Family Connections," "Rooting Around Long Island," "Warnings Out in Reading," "The Beginnings of Lynn Re-examined." Research in Progress: Leonard Harriman, John Ramsdell family, William Ivory family, "Heinrich Scherer, Hessian, alias Henry Sherer, Gardener," Tilton family, Henry Collins, Stocker family, Peter Twiss. It happened in Essex Co.: "Frank the Firefighter," "Those People [That] Were Buried in the Friend's Burying Ground." Other family names featured in this volume: Adams, Enslow, Batchelder, Southwick, Sargent, Goulette, Coombs, Moulton, Ellis (Wise), Wyman, Brack, Gould, Hillman, Walcott, (Schatvet) Ullman, Robertson, Sutherland, Ladd, Hastings, Brown. Miscellaneous: "The High Road to Scotland," Moments in History, "Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex Co." (1990) reprint, 284 pp., 8.5x11, illus., new index, paper, $35.00 #ZE010

Volume 11, 1991 - Essex Society of Genealogists, Inc. Feature Articles: "The Rage for Roots," "A Register of the Church Members and Baptisms & Marriages of the Methodist Episcopal Church in South Street, Lynn, Mass." Research in Progress: Henry Collins, Peter Twiss, Ramsdell family, Stocker family, Tilton family, Thaddeus Riddan, Richard Johnson, James Bamford, Breed family, Daniel & Joseph Hitchings, Timothy Cooper, Henry Hallowell. It Happened in Essex Co.: "The Steeple Went Down [East Saugus Community Methodist Church]," "Genealogy in (East) Germany," "The Friend's Burying Ground," "Pinkham and Eddy: Lynn's Dynamic Discoverers," "Beating the Devil [Witch Trials' Tercentenary]," "In the Mood in 1941," "Who Was William Pote?" Other family names featured in this volume: Hoole, (Crosby) Wyman, Dotts, Clough, Cargill, Geer, Turner, Brown, Benighton-Bonython, Wilson, Hunt, Flanders, Marston. (1991) reprint, 298 pp., 8.5x11, illus., new index, paper, $35.00 #ZE011

Volume 12, 1992 - Essex Society of Genealogists, Inc. Feature Articles: "Methods to Identify a Wife's Maiden Name," "Early Congregational Church Records," "Major Protestant Archives and Historical Societies," "Admissions and Baptisms at the Second Church [Boston]." Research in Progress: Tilton family, Breed family, Timothy Cooper, Daniel & Joseph Hitchings, John Hathorn(e), Edward Richards, Collins family, Moulton family. It happened in Essex Co.: "Early Stops on the Tarbox Trail," "It Happened in Central Square [Lynn's train station]," "Going for the Gold [Edwin Tarbox, Essex Co. forty-niner]," "Signs of the Times: Saugus, 1937." Other family names featured in this volume: Pote, Goodridge, Lavenuke, Clement, Reilly, Jessup, Dunnells, (Wilder) Sherman, Frost. Miscellaneous: Moments in History, "Bray Cemetery, West Gloucester," "Slavery in Gloucester" (1992) reprint, 300 pp., 8.5x11, illus., new index, paper, $35.00 #ZE012

Volume 13, 1993 - Essex Society of Genealogists, Inc. Feature Articles: "Records of the South Street Methodist Church at Lynn," "Admissions and Baptisms at the Second Church [Boston]," "French Huguenots in Boston: the Faneuills, the Bowdoins, the Reveres," "Ebenezer Pool, Rockport's venerable Antiquarian," "Lynn Library's Surprising Genealogy Collection." Research in Progress: Richard Goss, Edward Richards, Breed family, Thomas Lushman, Goss family, Thomas Ellis, Mary (Sargent) Breed, Francis Drake Needham, Bixby family, John Pearson, James Parker, Thomas Townsend, Ballard family. It Happened in Essex Co.: "Thomas Ellis' Loving Cousins," "Another Glauchau, Germany, Immigrant," "The Baltimore Street School, Prosperity in the Depression," "Warnings Out in Gloucester," "GAR Blacklist," "Warnings Out in Gloucester." Other family names featured in this volume: Amsbury, Ormsby, Watson, Brinsdon, Richards, Furbush, Bailey, Garland, Oliver, Eramo, Dow, Enos, Pool, Chadwell. (1993) reprint, 306 pp., 8.5x11, illus., new index, paper, $35.00 #ZE013

Volume 14, 1994 - Essex Society of Genealogists, Inc. Feature Articles: "Early Churches and Ministers of Lynn, Saugus, and Lynnfield," "Canadian and Maritime Collections at the New England Historic Genealogical Society," "Peabody, Massachusetts--Historical Treasures," "Scots-Irish Research." Research in Progress: Capt. Lemuel Bickford Mason, Townsend family, Hudson family, Sarah (Stacy) Churchill, "Peter Wolfe's Black and Bisson Descendants in Essex Co.," John Pearson, John Pedrick, Nathaniel Wharf/Wharff, Henry Rhodes, Philip & Sarah (Trussel) Call. It happened in Essex Co.: "Adam Hawkes: A Puritan in the Wilderness," "All Aboard the Narrow Gauge," "The Twilight League in Rocks Village," "Gloucester [Mass.] Apprenticeship Papers," "Lynn and Gloucester Mini-Ponds." Other family names featured in this volume: Parker, Gowing, Hathorn, Ramsdell, Atwell, Hinckley, Peabody, Sanderson, Cummings. (1994) reprint, 310 pp., 8.5x11, illus., new index, paper, $35.00 #ZE014

Volume 15, 1995 - Essex Society of Genealogists, Inc. Feature Articles: "Merrimac Valley Carvers," "The Essex Society of Genealogists--20 Successful Years," "Boston's First Cemetery," "Deaths in Chelsea, Malden and Surrounding Towns," "Rev. John White, Little-Known Builder of the Bay Colony," "Check Those Deeds," "Lynnfield's Genealogy Room," "The Registry of Deeds--Essex County." Research in Progress: Ireson family, William Longfellow, Henry Rhodes, Thomas Newhall, Thomas Parker, Trask family, John Henry Burchsted, Peter Wolfe. It Happened in Essex Co.: "Suffrage in Gloucester Massachusetts before 1920." Other family names featured in this volume: Marston, Rand, Whipple, Farnham, Merrill, Beckford, Doten, Bamford, Pearson, Coffin, Harris, Carter. (1995) reprint, 309 pp., 8.5x11, illus., new index, paper, $35.00 #ZE015

The Essex Genealogist, Index to Volumes 1-15 (1981-1995) - Essex Society of Genealogists, Inc. This book completes the series. This master volume consists of both a subject index and a fullname index to the first 15 volumes of The Essex Genealogist. These indices are a necessity for Essex County researchers! See the MASSACHUSETTS section of the Main Catalog for descriptions of earlier volumes in this series. 1998, 350 pp., 8.5x11, paper, $51.50 #ZENDX

Cape Cod (Massachusetts) Annals - Marise Fawsett. A treasure trove of information drawn from years of research into the history of the area, interviews with numerous "old-timers," study of present-day concerns, and the author's knowledgeable observation of daily life. This anecdotal and entertaining volume is perfect for visitors to the area and those who seek an over-view of the Cape, past and present. Attractively illustrated with many photographs, including many scenes of bygone days. 1990, 218 pp., illus., index, paper, $22.00 #ZF081

Provincetown, Mass. Census Records - Edith P. Ferguson. Complete transcriptions of Federal censuses with indexes. 8.5x11, index, paper:

1790-1840, 127 pp., $15.00 #ZF101

1850, 151 pp., $17.50 #ZF102

1860, 122 pp., $15.00 #ZF103

Gazetteer of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, 1654-1887 - Compiled and edited by W. B. Gay. Presented in two volumes, the first part contains several biographical accounts of founding fathers and their descendants, as well as a detailed historical background of the state. The second part of the gazetteer is a business directory, listing proprietors' names alphabetically within each town. A classified business directory follows, with additional sections naming county officers, societies and their officers (masons, temperance, agricultural, veterans, odd fellows, etc.), post offices and postmasters. (1887) repr, 893 pp., 2 vols., map, illus., new index, paper $49.00 #ZG090

The Deacon's Book: Records of the First Church, Dedham, Massachusetts, 1677-1737 - Robert Brand Hanson. The Dedham church records for the period 1671-1724 are missing. However, there does exist an original document, known as "The Deacon's Book," covering the non-sacramental affairs of the church from 1677-1737 and beyond. This is a verbatim transcript of that book with annotations to correct spelling and clarify meaning. 1990, 336 pp., index, $24.50 #ZH058

Lynn [MA] and Surroundings - Clarence W. Hobbs. The town of Lynn, Massachusetts, settled in the first half of the 17th century, was among the earliest European settlements in North America. Lynn and Surroundings pleasantly combines a factual and comprehensive town history with a folksy storytelling style, making the reading both informative and entertaining. The author begins with a physical description of the region, followed by a recounting of its earliest settlement through the establishment of the town named Lynn in 1637. Specific topics of Lynn's history which are addressed are the influx of Quakers and their resulting persecution, superstition and the "Witchcraft Tragedy," and various legends or legendary figures. The transcriptions of these legends, including stories of pirates, treasures, maritime beasts and the historical figure Moll Pitcher, contribute largely to the entertaining style of this work. The bulk of the work, however, paints a vivid picture of the town as it appeared in the 19th century. The major aspects of a town history are addressed, these being government, including officials and years of terms; military activity; industry; churches; organizations; and sketches of leading citizens from earliest times. An abundance of illustrations, over 150 in all, add to the overall appeal of this book and enhance the reader's ability to visualize historic Lynn, Massachusetts. (1886) reprint, 161 pp., illus., paper, $17.00 #ZH500

History of Western Massachusetts: The Counties of Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire, Embracing an Outline or General History of the Section, an Account of its Scientific Aspects and Leading Interests, and Separate Histories of Its One Hundred Towns - Josiah Gilbert Holland. An important early history of western Massachusetts. Volume 1 consists mainly of the colonial history of the area, but it does extend down through Shay's Rebellion, the War of 1812, and initial efforts at industrial development. The final third of this volume is concerned with geology, agriculture, railroads, newspapers, and educational institutions. The second, volume contains histories of the one hundred towns which made up the four counties in 1855. (1855) reprint, 1230 pp., 2 vols., new index, paper, $75.50 #ZH544

History of the Early Settlement of Newton, County of Middlesex, Mass., from 1639 to 1800, with a Genealogical Register of its Inhabitants Prior to 1800 - Francis Jackson. About 2/3rds genealogical register of residents prior to 1800. (1854) repr, 606 pp., map, index, cloth, $44.00 #ZJ100

Sketches of Lynn [Mass.] - David N. Johnson. Covers mainly 1830 to 1880. (1880) reprint, 490 pp., illus., index, cloth, $35.00 #ZJ310

Epitaphs in Old Bridgewater, Massachusetts - William Latham. This book, originally published in 1882, provides approximately 2,500 epitaphs from nineteen graveyards in and surrounding Old Bridgewater, Massachusetts. The author's intent was to "present a complete list of all epitaphs in all old public grave-yards commenced before 1800, with plans and with some account of the old grave-yards of the three towns of West Bridgewater, Bridgewater and East Bridgewater, including all monuments in those yards, down to the present time, and also, most of the epitaphs in private and small-pox yards." For eleven of these graveyards a complete record of epitaphs has been provided, and maps of ten graveyards plot out the grave sites. Further enhancing the value of this resource are supplements from Mitchell's History of Bridgewater which have been parenthetically added to some entries, and a surname index. The appendix includes biographical sketches of Rev. James Keith and Dea. John Whitman, plus several illustrations and a portrait of Dea. John Whitman. (1882) reprint, 259 pp., illus., maps, append., index, paper, $22.50 #ZL076

Notebook kept by Thomas Lechford, Esq., Lawyer, in Boston, Massachusetts Bay, from June 27, 1638 to July 29, 1641 - Thomas Lechford, Esq. This work, written between 1638 and 1641 by Boston's first lawyer, was first published in 1885. Thomas Lechford (c.1590-c.1644) is an invaluable source for Massachusetts Bay Colony records. Lechford's notebook definitely merits the attention of genealogists and historians; it has been used for centuries by those interested in detailing the lives of those descended from the English who settled in Massachusetts. Although others have used this text to aid in determining their ancestry, Lechford's exact parentage is not known. It is possible that he is a relation of Sir Richard Lechford, Lord of the Manor of Shelwood, in Leigh, Co. Surrey, England. Of his life in his homeland we know not much more than that he most probably left under pressure of those in power. Apparently, Lechford had been caught up in a whirlwind of political and religious intrigue, and was accused of soliciting the cause of those who disturbed and opposed the ecclesiastical hierarchy. He does not tell of this situation more than that he "suffered imprisonment and a kind of banishment." This is the most plausible reason for his undesired departure to New England. He landed in Boston in 1638, and forthwith was regarded with suspicion by legal and religious figures. It seems the course of his life was plagued with interminable misfortune. Regardless of his situation, however, he continued to write of his experiences and the experiences of others. Thus future generations are able to enjoy the product of his toil. Lechford's efforts have yielded a priceless tool for research. His Note-Book contains a multitude of wills, contracts, deeds, settlements, letters, legal petitions and the like; drawn by, for, and about the inhabitants of Boston at the time. The Note-Book establishes links with family origins and connections in England for use by genealogists, historians and sociologists. Additionally, there are discussions of various contracts and shipping disputes. This publication provides a true-to-life representation of life in colonial Boston. (1885) reprint, 460 pp., original fullname index, paper, $34.50 #ZL113

Proprietors' Records, Town of Barnstable, Massachusetts, 1703-1795 - Andrea Leonard. This book contains transcriptions of hand-written property and boundary descriptions, as well as records from proprietors' meetings. The detailed descriptions discuss: divisions of property in Barnstable during the 18th century, including lot sizes; property lines and abutters; land set aside for schools, highways and meeting houses; minutes of proprietors' meetings; and settlement of disputes. Certain parcels passed by inheritance to sons, or in some instances to widows, but in no case is a daughter identified as an heir. No other resource (except the original record and the few copies of this book, published in 1935, still in existence) provides details found in this edition. 1996, 234 pp., new index, paper, $22.00 #ZL156

History of the Town of Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts - Solomon Lincoln, Jr. This book is especially valuable for the diversity of its contents and for the author's careful attention to detail. He presents, in a pleasantly readable manner, the town's physical features, its businesses and many lists of the people who lived there. There are census figures, an ecclesiastical history, court cases, civil affairs and descriptions of societies, militia, libraries, schools, town expenses and biographical sketches. (1827) reprint, 183 pp., append., index, paper, $17.00 #ZL351

History of Easthampton, Massachusetts - Payson W Lyman. Includes a 52 page genealogical register. (1886) reprint, 200 pp., new index, cloth, $26.00 #ZL900