THE BERKSHIRE FAMILY HISTORIAN

Transcription

1 THE BERKSHIRE FAMILY HISTORIAN VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 WINTER 2018 In this issue: A letter from the BFHA president Current Officers Notice for Genealogists using Family Search New Database at library Fold#3 Library WWI exhibit BFHA purchases and donations Upcoming events WELCOME!! This is our very first newsletter since discontinuing Berkshire Genealogist and we are VERY excited about it! We hope you like it and we welcome and encourage any submissions you may like to have printed. REMEMBER Your membership entitles you to 2 hours of free research by a BFHA volunteer at the Berkshire Athenaeum. Some of the sources used are: Vital records-ma, CT, RI, VT, NY Knurow Collection Shepard Collection Berkshire Histories Probate Records Photo Caption and Court of Common Pleas Loiselle Collection (Canada) Corbin Collection Census Records Newspapers Berkshire Family History Index (specialty in-house index) And our National Archives microfilm collection

2 HELLO FROM THE BFHA PRESIDENT Greetings, Each year, as I turn the December calendar page, I am reminded of the Roman god, Janus, the god of beginnings and endings. Janus is usually shown with two faces looking in opposite directions. January, named for this god, is a good time to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future. This image is especially fitting for the Berkshire Family History Association this year. Looking back at 2017, we were faced with challenges as our president, Don Lutes, decided it was time to begin winding down his deep involvement with BFHA. As president, treasurer, quarterly editor, membership coordinator, and master mind of the association, Don has understandably decided that it's time to step away from so many responsibilities. We are fortunate that he is sharing his vast knowledge and providing valuable tips and insights to those trying to fill his shoes. Listed in this newsletter you will find the names of our current officers, directors and chairpersons. Looking ahead, this newsletter will take the place of our discontinued quarterly, Berkshire Genealogist. The Berkshire Family Historian will also be published four times a year and we hope you will be pleased with it. Over time, with your feedback and suggestions, we hope to create a newsletter that will be informative and enjoyable for our members. Also, we are in the process of creating more efficient uses of , social media, and our website. We are committed to improving the services we provide and the benefits of membership. You can help by renewing your membership each year and by encouraging others to join BFHA. Just a reminder that our second annual "BFHA Presents..." program will be held on the evening of Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Pittsfield. Details and registration information are enclosed. I wish all of you a healthy and happy May it be a year filled with joy and genealogical success! Happy Hunting, Jan Rogge, BFHA President BERKSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY ASSOCIATION OFFICERS Established 1975, Pittsfield, Massachusetts PRESIDENT Janet M. Rogge VICE-PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER Angela Rifkin Margaret Rotti Lauren Miller DIRECTORS Veronica Silvia Clark W. Nicholls Barbara Kelley Michael Collins Betty Ann Hamm Judith Rupinski Brenda Struthers Arthur F. Young, Jr. Norma Zullo Programs-Janet Rogge Website-Clark W. Nicholls COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS Membership-Meryl Delasco Newsletter Editor-Michael Collins PAST PRESIDENTS Ronald A. Stratton, Denis J. Leisieur, Mary H. DeGiorgis, Joseph G. Guertin, Donald L. Lutes, Jr.,

3 NEWS & NOTES Important Note For Genealogists Using FamilySearch Starting December 13, 2017, you must have a FREE Family Search account to use their search. Beginning December 13, 2017, patrons visiting will see a prompt to register for a free FamilySearch account or to sign in to their existing account to continue enjoying all the free expanded benefits FamilySearch has to offer. Since it s launch in 1999, FamilySearch has added millions of users, billions of various historical records, and many fun, new features like Family Tree, Memories, mobile apps, digital books, and dynamic help. In order to accommodate continued growth of these and future free services, FamilySearch must assure all its partners that its content is offered in a safe and secure online environment. Patrons creating a free account and signing in fulfills that need. Patron sign in will also enable FamilySearch to satisfy the ongoing need for user authentication. This authentication can deliver rich, personalized discovery, collaboration, and helpful experiences. Simply put, signed-in visitors can access more searchable content and enjoy more personalized services. Please go to to see how to set up your account. EXCITING NEW DATABASE at BERKSHIRE ATHENAEUM Fold3 Library Edition provides convenient access to US military records, from the American Revolutionary War onward, including the stories, photos and personal documents of the men and women who served. Useful resource for historians, genealogists, researchers, military enthusiasts, veterans and their families, teachers, battle reenactors. Includes records from: National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) Allen County Public Library Harris County Archives Cuyahoga County Archives South Carolina Archives Pennsylvania Archives Center for Research Libraries FamilySearch Archives With content from the Revolutionary War onward, Fold3 Library Edition is an invaluable research resource for historians, genealogists, researchers, military enthusiasts, veterans and their families, teachers, and battle reenactors. You can access Fold3 through the Berkshire Athenaeum s online databases at: 3.

4 To See The Berkshire Athenaeum s World War I Exhibit The Berkshire Athenaeum has on display, a commemorative exhibit to honor 100 Years of Pittsfield s entry into WWI. Here are a few photos from the exhibit 4.

5 NEW BFHA ACQUISTIONS The following materials have been added to the Library s Local History and Genealogy Collection for The Library Staff wishes to thank the members of the Berkshire Family History Association, as well as all of our other thoughtful donors, for their continuing generous support of the Library. Items with an* are direct gifts from Berkshire Family History Association. *Maine Families in 1790, Vol.11 *Genealogy Handbook for Irish Research *Histories & Antiquities of Every Town in Massachusetts *The Last Muster Vol. 2 *John Howland Family, Vol.4 *History of the Town of Cheshire *Descendants of Reinold and Matthew Marvin of Hartford, Ct., 1638 and 1635, sons of Edward Marvin, of Great Bentley, England *Digital Maps including: Colonial Maps of New England Fulton County, NY1856 Beers Atlas of Bennington County, VT 1869 Greene County, NY 1856 Albany County, NY 1855 Hampden County, MA 1857 Clinton County, NY 1856 Litchfield County, CT 1859 Columbia County, NY 1851 Montgomery County, NY 1853 Dutchess County, NY 1858 Suffolk County, NY 1858 Essex County, NY 1858 Washington County, NY 1853 *Connecticut in the Revolution: A source guide *Massachusetts and Maine in the Revolution : A source guide *Family Tree Italian Genealogy Guide *Mayflower Families, Vol 21, Part 2 *New York in the Revolution : A source guide *Settlers of the Beekman Patent, Vol. 13 *Western Massachusetts Families in 1790, Vol. 3 **Membership/Magazine Subscriptions: American Genealogist Connecticut Nutmegger National Genealogical Society American Spirit NY Genealogical and Biographical Record New England Historic Genealogical Record New England Quarterly 5.

6 COMING IN FUTURE ISSUES Update on Family Search Affiliate Library information Mystery Photos-Help identify!! Excerpts from our files Berkshire Athenaeum WWII collection And. Maybe some interesting topics of research!! Want to get your Berkshire Family Historian faster? To receive future issues via , send us a request via to bfhainc@gmail.com BERKSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 1437 Pittsfield, MA bfhainc@gmail.com Website: REMINDER 2018 MEMBERSHIP DUES NOW DUE