Free Genealogy Archives Archives

History and Genealogy of Baltimore Vermont

Old Stone Schoolhouse, Baltimore, Vermont

Annie M. Pollard’s 1954 work provides a detailed examination of Baltimore, Vermont’s history, tracing its origins as a part of Cavendish until its independence in 1793 due to geographic challenges. The book explores the town’s early years, highlighting the development of industry, education, infrastructure, and social welfare through town records and personal narratives. Pollard’s dedication as a public servant and her interest in local genealogy enrich the account, painting a picture of a resilient rural community with a unique identity shaped by its small size and self-reliance.

History of Pembroke New Hampshire

Nathan Carter and Trueworthy Ladd’s “History of Pembroke, N.H. 1730-1895” chronicles the town’s journey from its early settlement as Suncook to the close of the nineteenth century. Documenting key events and societal developments year by year, the authors emphasize accuracy and detail, covering land divisions, local conflicts, and the town’s involvement in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. The volume preserves vital records and offers insight into Pembroke’s public life, industries, religious institutions, and education, establishing a comprehensive reference for its historical narrative.

Genealogies of Pembroke New Hampshire

The “Genealogies of Pembroke, New Hampshire” is derived from the town’s second historical volume, and documents the connections of early settler families through the nineteenth century. It emphasizes families of the first settlers and families who resided in Pembroke over a long period of time. Organized alphabetically by surname, the genealogies use a consistent numbering system for easy reference. Carter draws from diverse sources, including town records and personal accounts of Pembroke’s citizens, while acknowledging possible inaccuracies in both their memory and the collection of information. However, by preserving these family lineages, Carter enhances the town’s historical narrative, complementing the first volume’s historical content. Supplementing this volume of genealogies is a compilation of marriage records which occurred in Pembroke, New Hampshire, from 1739 through 1895.

History of Rindge New Hampshire

Second Meeting House in Rindge New Hampshire

The History of the Town of Rindge, New Hampshire by Ezra S. Stearns, was published in 1875, and covers the period from the original Rowley Canada grant or Massachusetts charter through the year 1874. Stearns traces the legal, territorial, and institutional development of Rindge, beginning with colonial land grants and boundary disputes and proceeding through settlement, incorporation into a town and development into a small manufacturing hub. More than half the volume is devoted to genealogical material. The genealogical register of Rindge families includes thousands of names compiled from a wide range of sources and assisted by contributions from residents and researchers beyond the town.

History of Newport New Hampshire

Bird's Eye View of Newport New Hampshire 1877

The History of Newport, New Hampshire, from 1766 to 1878 is a record of Newport’s growth from its early settlement through the close of the nineteenth century. It opens with the original charter and proprietary arrangements and follows the development of Newport’s physical setting, transportation routes, and economy. Particular attention is given to mills, banks, hotels, manufacturing, and the coming of the railroad, all of which shaped the town’s commercial life. The concluding genealogical section identifies families connected with Newport and other chapters provide biographical details that might otherwise be lost.

Descendants of Robert Fletcher of Concord, Massachusetts

The Jesse Fletcher Homestead, Ludlow VT, built 1784

Edward H. Fletcher presents a structured history of the Fletcher family, tracing the surname from its French occupational origin meaning “arrow-maker” to its establishment and growth in England and North America. It identifies Robert Fletcher as the principal progenitor in New England, settling at Concord in 1630, from whom three major family lines developed. Rather than limiting itself to names and dates, the work situates the family within its social and historical context, noting associations with the English gentry and participation in early American military events. Through biographical sketches and compiled vital records, it follows the family’s progression from early Puritan settlers to prominent figures in law, medicine, the military, and other professions.

History of Robert Chaffin and his descendants

William L. Chaffin’s 1913 genealogical study, *History of Robert Chaffin and his descendants*, chronicles the Chaffin family lineage from colonial origins to the early 20th century. It explores Robert Chaffin, the immigrant ancestor, and his marriage to Abigail Davis in 1719, including their life in Massachusetts and the challenges faced by their family. The book emphasizes the connection between family history and broader historical events, such as the Revolutionary War, while acknowledging the limitations of historical records and oral traditions.

Commemorative of Calvin and Luther Blanchard

This commemorative work by Alfred Sereno Hudson is a historical tribute to Calvin and Luther Blanchard, two brothers who served as Acton Minute-Men during the onset of the American Revolution. Hudson explores the dramatic events of April 19, 1775, specifically highlighting Luther Blanchard’s role as the fifer who led Captain Isaac Davis’s company toward the Old North Bridge to the defiant tune of “The White Cockade.” Beyond documenting the military maneuvers and the “shot heard round the world,” the author integrates local genealogy and oral tradition to establish that Luther eventually died from wounds sustained during the conflict.

History of the Townley-Lawrence-Chase estates in England

This book compiles historical documents, legal abstracts, and personal accounts related to the Townley-Lawrence-Chase estates, purportedly a significant unclaimed fortune at the Bank of England. It examines the American claimants tracing their ancestry to figures like Sir Robert Lawrence and Mary Townley. While personal narratives suggest valid connections, the text also critically investigates these claims, providing evidence from researchers that many assertions are unfounded or fraudulent. It highlights the genuine lineage of the Townley family and disputes the existence of the alleged unclaimed wealth.

History of the Carpenter Family and Estate

The genealogical book analyzes the myth of a vast unclaimed fortune associated with William Carpenter’s American descendants, revealing it as a fabrication. James Usher details various branches of the Carpenter family, including Samuel Carpenter of Pennsylvania, William Carpenter of Massachusetts, Ephraim, Timothy and Josias Carpenter, of New York, and William Carpenter of Rhode Island.

Material for a History of the Sessions Family

The Old School House of Robert Sessions, District

Materials for a History of the Sessions Family in America was compiled by Francis C. Sessions and published in 1890 as a documentary record of the descendants of Alexander Sessions of Andover, Massachusetts, who is recorded there in 1669. The volume consists largely of transcribed correspondence, genealogical notes, lineage charts, biographical sketches, and reminiscences.

Sowams

1908 Map of Indian Localities about Narragansett and Mount Hope Bays

Sowams,” authored by Thomas Williams Bicknell in 1908, delves into the history of the ancient proprietary known as Sowams, encompassing Native leadership under Massassoit and early colonial settlement dynamics that shaped Barrington, Rhode Island, and surrounding areas. Drawing from over forty years of research, Bicknell includes primary records from the proprietary, showcasing the region’s governance, land ownership, and the founding of the First Baptist Church of Massachusetts. This comprehensive work serves as a vital resource for lawyers, historians, and general readers interested in colonial life and legal frameworks of the time.

Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society

The Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society is a 15 publication series documenting the state’s history through various primary sources, including manuscripts, letters, and public records. It collates valuable narratives that were previously difficult to access, providing insight into events, individuals, and communities in New Hampshire. Each volume offers focused topics and historical analyses, and most volumes contain individual indexes.

History of Stratford New Hampshire

The “History of the Town of Stratford, New Hampshire, 1773–1925,” edited by Jeannette Richardson Thompson, compiles decades of historical research prompted by Rev. Lucius W. Prescott. Initially prepared for publication in the late 19th century, the work was serialized before being comprehensively revised and published in 1925 for Stratford’s 150th anniversary. It documents the town’s settlement, demographics, and significant events, drawing from original records and community contributions while ensuring preservation of historical narratives and genealogical information for future generations.

Samuel Lane’s Journal, 1739-1803

Samuel Lane’s journal, covering 1739 to 1803, chronicles the life of a New Hampshire resident who experienced the colonial, Revolutionary, and early national periods. Lane transitioned from farming to various professions, including tanner and shoemaker, while actively participating in community roles. His meticulously kept journal captures local and national events, personal reflections, and societal changes. Edited by Charles Lane Hansen in 1937, it serves as a crucial primary source, offering insights into the daily life, hardships, and resilience of 18th-century New England.

Vital records of Stratham, New Hampshire, 1700-1867

In 1934, Priscilla Hammond compiled vital records from Stratham, New Hampshire, covering the years 1700 to 1867, based on original town records. This compilation, transcribed with imperfect typing, was privately published and distributed to libraries and societies. The records are presented largely as found, with family members often grouped together. An index is included to assist in locating individual records. Users should be cautious with dates, especially those before 1752, as it is unclear if old dates were converted.

History of Shelburne Vermont

The history of Shelburne, Vermont, traces its charter in 1763 through the challenges faced by early settlers, including conflicts with New York and a Revolutionary War siege. It chronicles the town’s economic shifts from potash and sheep farming to the establishment of the Webb Estate and Shelburne Museum. The narrative details the development of civic infrastructure, including schools and utilities, and reflects on the post-war population boom that transformed Shelburne into a suburban community focused on recreation and craftsmanship.

History of Shelburne New Hampshire

Mrs. R. P. Peabody’s *History of Shelburne, New Hampshire*, published in 1882, chronicles the town’s evolution from its 1770 colonial land grant to the late 19th century. The narrative is divided into two parts, detailing the region’s topography, original settlers, and key economic developments such as the Shelburne Lead Mine. Peabody illustrates the challenges of frontier life, highlighting significant events, community structures, and the transition brought by the Grand Trunk Railroad, thus preserving the town’s heritage amidst population decline.

History of Shelburne Massachusetts

Southeastern View of Shelburne Falls Village Before 1835

The “History and Tradition of Shelburne, Massachusetts” is an account of the town’s development, initiated by a community effort in 1944. The project culminated in 1958 after various committees worked to collect and organize information across multiple aspects, including geology, early settlement, and cultural life. The book, intentionally topical rather than genealogical, features contributions from numerous writers and serves as a reference for understanding Shelburne’s heritage, institutions, and notable figures.

History and Genealogy of Hartford Vermont

George W Smith's Cracker Factory, White River Junction, Vermont

History of Hartford, Vermont, July 4, 1761–April 4, 1889, published in 1889, is a comprehensive town history compiled by William Howard Tucker and issued by The Free Press Association of Burlington. The work covers the period from the chartering of Hartford in 1761, shortly after the close of the French and Indian War, through the late nineteenth century. It was undertaken to preserve, in permanent form, the documentary and narrative record of the town’s origin, settlement, organization, and development. It also includes biographical sketches and extended genealogies of prominent Hartford families, along with an 1889 business directory and detailed indexes.