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Archiver > GenMassachusetts > 2002-03 > 1015350720


From: (Scott Connolly)
Subject: [GM-L] Massachusetts Genealogical Public Library Sources
Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 12:52:09 -0500 (EST)
In-Reply-To: Farns10th@aol.com's message of Mon, 4 Mar 2002 17:04:50 EST


Just reminded after a visit there that the West Springfield, Ma
Library's Historical Room
http://www.wspl.org
(ask permission & use rare book procedures) has a rather full set
(exclusive of Boston Metro) of Vital Statistics volumes issued by the
State for various Massachusetts towns for years 1640 or so through 1850.
Very handy books one book per town or small city published in the
'30's.


Their Bowler Collection (shelved in that room) also has a good Scottish
Surnames Volume & other Mass Civl War & History Source materials and
some fine family histories including "Champion & Keep Family Histories"

The Westfield Public Library has US Federal Cenuses on microfilm for
Westfield .. and some other sources.


Forbes Library In Northampton is arther exposed and the Librarians
shouls secure it better ...but a good rich niche of Family histories and
good New England reference genealogical name & historical texts.

Holyoke has an historiccal roomalso at its main library open at the
latter end ofthe week.

Springfield has free days for Springfield residents and memberships at
its Conneciticut Valley Historical Library http://www.quadrangle.org

Alll have rather good cross-jurisdciational resources such as City
Directories.

Also Holyoke City Clerk (don't excessively 'bug em' has a good set of
ehind the conter directories for use with Voter registration
verification & voter registraton history checks.

Springfield's genealogical Library has a microfiche collection of the
older Pynchon land Registers (saves a trip to the Courthouse)

If forgotton rare or special collection procedures usualy mean:


A sign-in
Use of pencils only
Special or no photocopy rules
Books are most frequently left on the tables is they are old or tehir
use unsupervised directly (for -re-check in and care in re-shelving)
Bindings may break or pages tear or crumble

Ask permission to use 'flash' oncameras and as I will consider buyi a
low-cost good resolution digital camera to substitute for photocopying
and note taking (Make an image download & transcribe later)

Conserve that microfilm & fiche - remember to inimize fingerprints &
lift the glass pate on the reader when re-winding to minimize scratches
or film breaks.

ASK wthout embarrassment

See if the library keeps or could use a fuller catalog of the multipally
used resources.

And lets use our 'library lobby' power to get tax appropriations for a
good public return (also a very influential & popular one for the
libraries)

Ciao

[On behalf of the informal ad hoc committee to reduce SNOBBY genealogy]



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Scott M Connolly ... SCOTTMCON
9 Pilgrim Road
West Springfield, Ma 01089
(413) 788-9142 ... also
IRC www.zuh.net Port 6667 #scottmcon

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