NEHGS 2011 Trip

Jack & Jean Beatty were doing research and are not in the picture.

On Wednesday, September 21st, a group of 11 members of VT-FCGS traveled by van to the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) in Boston. The trip from our library at Ft. Ethan Allen to 99 Newbury Street in Boston took about three and a half hours. Members were dropped off at the door where they met up with Barb Mercure, our treasurer, who had come down separately.. After signing in they were taken on an hour-long tour of the library by head librarian, Marie Daly.

There are 6 floors of books, manuscripts, genealogies of New England families, censuses, and periodicals. In addition, there is an extensive microfilm & microfiche collection vital records, deeds and probate files for New England and eastern Canada. NEHGS also provides access to Ancestry.com and their own excellent website - AmericanAncestors.org. The staff at NEHGS proved to be well organized and very helpful.

There was a great deal of information on Massachusetts and members enjoyed reading from several books about the first immigrants. Also, this is a great place to do your Maine research as the state of Maine has tightened up their research system. What you cannot find in Maine you may find here as NEHGS allows searches of recent vital records that are not available in Augusta.

Most of the members had success in locating new facts and resources related to their ancestors. The staff had experts in many ethnic groups and our Vermont contingent received help with English, Irish, German and French research.

At about 6 PM the van picked everyone up and headed back to Vermont.

(P.S. - our society has an "Institutional Subscription" to NEHGS' website - AmericanAncestors.org. Check it out the next time you need to do research on New England ancestors.)