The next meeting of the Windham County Genealogy Interest Group will focus on "Researching a Grandparent " & "Strategies for Finding Problem Ancestors," on Saturday, May 18 , 2024, from 11am to 1pm, Zoom only. Free and open to all.
Please register at the link. A Zoom link will be sent before the meeting. Pose any questions that you may have for the presenters when you register.
"Researching a Grandparent."
Using sources such as Census records; vital records; city directories; archives at the New England Conservatory and Framingham State University; Sanborn maps; photos; and an autograph book, and a family genealogy, WCGIG member, Michael Bosworth will present the why and how -- including the occasional serendipity – of his research into his paternal grandfather, William Ezra Bosworth, Sr., of Willimantic, CT and Holyoke, MA.
He was a piano tuner and later a restaurateur, and weighed 300 pounds. Michael never knew his grandfather, but through this process gained much appreciation of his high and low points. The review will focus on the first half of William's life, 1877 through 1910.
Strategies for Finding Problem Ancestors
Wayne Blanchard, co-founder of Windham County Genealogy Interest Group and genealogy volunteer at Rockingham Public Library, will give us his insights Strategies for Finding Problem Ancestors.
As anyone who has done some genealogy knows, unraveling one's family history knows involves overcoming roadblocks. Recently someone contacted the library for help finding out about the life of a man named Ralph Parker Smith, who was born in Vermont in 1795. He married a woman named Ruth and they had four children all born in Stockholm, NY: Darius H 1821-1910, Albert E. 1829-1898, Hiram C. 1834-1890, Myron Walter 1838-1917. They moved to Cleveland, Minnesota where he died in 1879. The challenge is to find out where he was born, who is parents were, what Ruth's maiden name was and who her parents were. Wayne Blanchard will share his strategies to try to answer the questions, but those attending are encouraged to see if they can solve the problem also. No prizes,but anyone with an answer will have genealogy bragging rights.
What We Do: The Windham County (VT.) Genealogy Interest Group is an informal organization whose members are dedicated to genealogy education, research, and best practices. An archive of past events may be found https://bit.ly/WCGIGVIDEO.
WCGIG is also supported by Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro, VT. with use of its Zoom account, publicity, and use of their facilities. We also thank Anne Dempsey, Librarian at the Rockingham Public Library, for their past support.
For further information please contact us at Windham County Genealogy Interest Group windhamcountygig@gmail.com
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