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Hidden Treasure in New England Town Records
Ann G. Lawthers, Sc.D.
Content
Welcome
1m 22s
Background
9m 58s
Running the Town
9m 2s
Types of Records
12m 0s
Finances
7m 15s
Finding Records
8m 23s
Announcements / prizes
1m 24s
Questions / answers
6m 11s
About this webinar
New England town records represent a unique resource for Family historians. Early settlers from England brought their traditions of town governance to the new world, including their ideas of legal matters and record keeping. The result is a treasure trove of documents that capture aspects of our ancestors’ lives as they went about their day-to-day business. These records are especially valuable for the 17th and 18th centuries as many other records may not have survived. This webinar covers not only vital record sources but also records from the Town Treasurer, Overseers of the Poor, and the Selectmen.
About the speaker
Ann G. Lawthers, Sc.D., a former staff Genealogist at American Ancestor's Brue Family Learning Center for many years, teaches and lectures on a wide variety of genealogic topics. Her research interest...
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Comments (75)
Superb webinar on NE Town Records - I learned so much more than I thought I would! Assumed I knew "a lot" about researching in NE states. Excellent - I'll be watching it again! [member]
Excellent! Great information for us with Colonial Ancestors on Early Town Records and where and how to access.
This Webinar developed by (Hidden Treasure in New England Town Records by Ann G. Lawthers, Sc.D, was excellent! Packed with information to help find records of any person, whether poor or upper class within a town. I was intrigued about the system and payment for care of Indigent people in the community. Also, she explained why the New England towns were unique in their governance at the Town level and where to find those records today. As my family history is traced to that area all is useful in my search
Ann Lawthers is an excellent teacher and encourager of anyone initially put off by difficult-to-read records of the past and anyone with no idea where and how to find town records. Although this wonderful webinar addresses New England, much will apply elsewhere, too. The 7-page syllabus is a great partner for the presentation. TY, Ann!
Great presentation. Can clearly see how much she enjoys exploring these records. I had been looking at Town Records for my maternal side that dates back to the 1630s, primarily to try to document parents and children, marriages and birth dates, but learned today that so much more is available in these records. The task is made challenging by handwriting, fading ink and the common names.
It was very informative and easy to follow. Her voice was easy to listen to.
Extremely useful information about sources that would usually be missed. I plan to use some of these ideas with parish and county records of the colonies of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. I am hoping that Nova Scotia land grants can identify New England towns of origin and those town records will give families of the first arrivals.
This was an excellent presentation taking us step by step. I came away with a better understanding on how to research in New England. I know that I have overlooked many treasures that Ann brought to our attention.