Welcome!
Thank you for registering for the online course, Massachusetts Research: Four Centuries of History and Genealogy!
Whether your family connection to Massachusetts is 400 years old or 40, there is a treasure trove of genealogical resources waiting for you: vital records have been kept by towns since the early seventeenth century; newspapers have existed since colonial times; and there are thousands of published genealogies, local histories, study projects, and other references that exist for Massachusetts research. This online course will provide a century-by-century look at the records, resources, repositories, and research strategies that are essential to exploring your Massachusetts roots. We will also look at the historical context, settlement patterns, and migrations into—and out of—the state; from colony to Commonwealth.
This course includes four 90-minute classes; exclusive access to handouts and recordings of each presentation; and in-depth q&a sessions with the instructor.
COURSE SCHEDULE
You will have access to all the material on this page from the time you register until August 31, 2021. Return to this page often for additional resources!
| Course Activity | Dates of Access | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Class #1 | ||
| Class #1: Online presentation (live!) | 5/5/2021, 6:00 pm EDT | Class 1: 17th-Century Massachusetts Research Presented by: David Allen Lambert, dalambert@nehgs.org 17th-century Massachusetts colonists are some of the most researched and written-about group of people on the planet, but there remain research challenges: distinguishing people with the same name, understanding unique record sets, and more. This first class will look at the beginnings of Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth Colony and the people who inhabited the lands prior to colonization, provide an overview of the many published genealogical resources and record transcriptions available, demonstrate how to locate and utilize primary sources, and discuss how to overcome common research challenges. |
| Video of Class #1 | 5/6/2021 to 8/31/21 | Watch the first class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
| Class #2 | ||
| Class #2: Online presentation (live!) | 5/12/2021, 6:00 pm EDT |
Class 2: 18th-Century Massachusetts Research The 18th century was a transformative and foundational period for Massachusetts: continued colonial conflicts, movement westward, revolution, the abolition of slavery, and ultimately statehood. This session will look at just some of the many records of the era—pre and post American independence—including military records, tax lists, census records, newspapers, city directories, and more. Note: To attend, return to your confirmation email received at the time of registration with a link to the live event. If you are unable to attend the live event a recording will be posted to this page, the following day (see below). |
| Video of Class #2 | 5/13/2021 to 8/31/21 | Watch the second class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
| Class #3 | ||
| Class #3: Online presentation (live!) | 5/19/2021, 6:00 pm EDT |
Class 3: 19th-Century Massachusetts Research Massachusetts experienced even more transformation in the 19th century, from the industrial revolution to the Civil War to an increase of immigration from Canada, the British Isles, Germany, Italy, Eastern Europe, and beyond. This class will look at the start of the state census, the age of the passenger list, pension files, expanded vital records, published genealogies and local histories, and less commonly used records. Note: To attend, return to your confirmation email received at the time of registration with a link to the live event. If you are unable to attend the live event a recording will be posted to this page, the following day (see below). |
| Video of Class #3 | 5/20/2021 to 8/31/21 | Watch the third class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
| Class #4 | ||
| Class #4: Online presentation (live!) | 5/26/2021, 6:00 pm EDT |
Class 4: 20th-Century Massachusetts Research Continued urbanization and industrialization characterized much of 20th-century Massachusetts. This final session will look at records that emerge in the 20th century—and the changes in records and record keeping that persisted since the 17th century, with particular attention to the topic of “access” and the go-to repositories for Massachusetts research. Note: To attend, return to your confirmation email received at the time of registration with a link to the live event. If you are unable to attend the live event a recording will be posted to this page, the following day (see below). |
| Video of Class #4 | 5/27/2021 to 8/31/21 | Watch the fourth class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
COURSE HANDOUTS
RECORDED PRESENTATIONS
Class 1: 17th-Century Massachusetts Research
Presented by: David Allen Lambert
Running Time: 1:54:36
Live Broadcast: May 5, 2021
Class 2: 18th-Century Massachusetts Research
Presented by: Melanie McComb
Running Time: 1:26:54
Live Broadcast: May 12, 2021
Class 3: 19th-Century Massachusetts Research
Presented by: Hallie Borstel
Running Time: 1:32:19
Live Broadcast: May 19, 2021
Class 4: 20th-Century Massachusetts Research
Presented by: Danielle Cournoyer
Running Time: 1:13:24
Live Broadcast: May 26, 2021
INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Hallie Borstel, Genealogists has a BA in history with minors in art history and German language, as well as an MA in historic preservation. She joined American Ancestors in 2019 after several years of working in architectural restoration and preservation. Other previous work experience includes the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society, the West Virginia Railroad Museum, and Bender Library at American University. Her research interests include Germany (and German-speaking regions), Norway, New York City, westward migration, immigration history, and 19th-century America. Hallie also assists patrons in assembling documentation for Italian citizenship applications.
Danielle Cournoyer, Researcher Danielle studied history at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas and earned a MA in history from the University of Massachusetts – Boston. Before American Ancestors she worked at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and The Church of the Presidents in Quincy where she led guided tours of the historic church and the Adams crypt. She has also worked with the Arlington Historical Commission researching and drafting a proposal for the designation of a historic district for the town. Danielle’s interests include the history of urban development, transit, and westward migration in the United States.
David Allen Lambert, Cheif Genealogist has been on the staff of American Ancestors since 1993 and is the organization’s Chief Genealogist. David is an internationally recognized speaker on the topics of genealogy and history. His genealogical expertise includes New England and Atlantic Canadian records of the 17th through 21st century; military records; DNA research; and Native American and African American genealogical research in New England. Lambert has published many articles in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, the New Hampshire Genealogical Record, Rhode Island Roots, The Mayflower Descendant, and American Ancestorsmagazine. He has also published A Guide to Massachusetts Cemeteries (American Ancestors, 2019). David is an elected Fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston, Mass., and a life member of the New Hampshire Society of the Cincinnati. He is also the tribal genealogist for the Massachuset-Punkapoag Indians of Massachusetts.
Melanie McComb, Genealogist assists library visitors, both on-site and online, with their family history research. She also provides lectures on a variety of genealogical topics. Melanie holds a bachelor of science degree from the State University of New York at Oswego. Her areas of research interest include Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Kansas, Prince Edward Island, Québec, and Ireland, and she is experienced in DNA, genealogical technology and social media, Jewish genealogy, and military records.
OTHER RESOURCES
Subject Guide: Massachusetts Research
New England Town Guides
Massachusetts databases on AmericanAncestors.org
Subject Guide: 17th-Century New England Research
Archived Webinars (many New England topics)