VERMONT FRENCH-CANADIAN GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
&
GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF VERMONT
Saturday, October 12, 2024
9:00 AM “Smarter Research: What’s Already Been Done and How Good Are Your Online Records?” by Scott Andrew Bartley
The first part of the lecture is a discussion on how to find what has already been published in books and journals. The second part will help you analyze what you are looking at in the online databases and if that is the original source.
Scott Andrew Bartley is a professional genealogist with more than 40 years’ experience. He was a reference librarian and manuscripts curator for the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston. He is currently the genealogist for the Early Vermont Settlers project for them. He also is the editor of Vermont Genealogy and the manager for the Research Service at the Vermont Genealogy Library.
10:30 AM “The Material World of the French Army in North America in the 18th Century,” by Dr. Matt Keagle
During the Seven Years’ War, France and England fought battles on several continents and across oceans. The complex logistics that supported these endeavors, at a time when communications and resupply took months, were pivotal factors in the outcome.
These efforts had significant effects on the development of the Lake Champlain basin and on the two countries who would ultimately share it. Dr. Keagle will focus on how the French state knit together its industries to clothe, arm, and equip its army in North America.
Dr. Matthew Keagle has been involved in exhibitions, curation, research, historical interpretation, and program development for historic sites and museums in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Delaware, Virginia, North and South Carolina. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, a Masters in American Material Culture from the Winterthur Museum, and a Ph.D. from the Bard Graduate Center in New York City. He joined Fort Ticonderoga in 2014 and has been involved in developing exhibits, conducting research, delivering programs, and advancing a greater understanding of the 18th-century military experience. He has researched and lectured at archives and collections across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
12:45 PM “Land Records: An Underutilized Genealogical Resource,” by Jonathan Stevens
This presentation will discuss original lotting plans, various definitions of measurement, and the different types of deeds that can be found in land records. It will also provide examples of genealogical clues gleaned from deeds. This can greatly help genealogists in their research, as the land records maybe the only source for this information.
Jonathan W. Stevens is a professional genealogist, President of GSV, a Director of NERGC, and has published several genealogical articles. He is also the Assistant Town Clerk, Lister (VPA I), and Secretary of the Zoning Board of Adjustment / Planning Commission of Andover, Vermont.
2:15 PM “Vermont Loyalists and the Settlement of the Eastern Townships,” by Dr. Jim Manson
The settlement of the Eastern Townships between 1792 and 1814 represented the final phase in the colonization of New England’s northern frontier. The pioneer period in Northern New England was initiated a quarter century before the American Revolution thanks to the land allocation policy of New Hampshire Governor Benning Wentworth. Wentworth’s scheme for self-enrichment encouraged the migration of thousands of New Englanders to Vermont.
Many early Vermonters, including Luke Knowlton, Samuel Gale, Micah Townsend and Samuel Wells of Windham County, remained loyal to Britain during the American Revolution. These Loyalists became important figures in the settlement of the Eastern Townships.
They also attempted to encourage other Americans loyal to the King to take up residence on the Townships’ frontier as they, or members of their families, had already done. By the War of 1812 these Loyalists and their American neighbors shared a common lifestyle and perspective.
This talk will discuss the disaffection felt by many prominent Vermonters with the Revolution, the reasons the British officials recruited them as settlers in the Eastern Townships, and follow their migration north, especially several important Loyalists from Windham County.
Dr. James Manson is a historian, writer, and lecturer who has been on the faculty of Champlain College since 2007, where he served as a professor of history at the international campus at Montreal. He received BA and MA degrees in History from Concordia University and has taught at Concordia, McGill and Bishop Universities.
Jim is the author of several books including The Loyal Americans of New England and New York: Founders of the Eastern Townships, published in 2001, which is based on work for his doctoral thesis at Concordia.
Jim lives in Cowansville, Quebec with his wife Dorothy and, in addition to his teaching and writing, his passions include a great affection for music and sports.
Misc. Information
Our schedule will include a short business meeting of each society for its members. We will also have displays and books for sale. Come early to browse genealogy displays and our book sales.
Registration
Cost: $42 Members – $52 Non-Members
The option of a sandwich lunch for $14 may be ordered ahead.