2024
The Mammoth Road: New Hampshire Folk Tales as an Avenue to Local History and Culture
When: April 25th
What Time: 2:00pm
Where: Pontine Theater, Portsmouth, NH — In-Person
Folk tales are passed from one generation to another, embellished by time and teller: Ethan Crawford was as tall as Mount Washington. He could carry at least 7 men on his back! Yet, when we look at folk tales, the people who compiled them, and the location from which they spring, we can access history in a new and entertaining way. Join us to hear and explore folk tales collected by the New Hampshire Women’s Federation (1932) and dig into local resources in search of truths. Was it tall tale or town history? Let’s find out. ::This program is made possible by the New Hampshire Humanities Council::
History and Mystery: A Genealogy Starter Guide
When: April 25th
What Time: 6:00pm
Where: Silsby Free Library, Charlestown, NH — In-Person
Are you interested in family history? Do you spend a lot of time in graveyards wondering about the names behind the stones? Then you just might be a genealogy enthusiast! Genealogy is the exploration of ancestral lines and can be done through countless records, resources and artifacts. Join us to explore useful methods for research planning through the case study of Elsie Gaskin (an eccentric librarian from New Hampshire) and become a better researcher along the way. ::This program is made possible through the New Hampshire Humanities Council::
The Beginner’s Guide to Cemetery Sleuthing
When: May 8th
What Time: 6:30pm
Where: Walpole Town Library, Walpole, NH — In-Person
Cemeteries hold invaluable clues to genealogical research. Etched in stone are names, symbols and abbreviations that not only tell us more about our ancestors but also about their place in time. This program will cover strategies to help locate your ancestor’s burial place, how to make the most out of a visit and how to decipher a variety of symbols. Includes a list of Erin’s favorite cemetery resources. Note: Most of this content covers New England cemeteries, though many symbols can be seen nationwide. The Beginners Guide to Cemetery Sleuthing: Workbook and Scavenger Hunt will be available for purchase after the program.
A Recipe for Success: Finding Women Through Community Cookbooks
When: May 19th
When: 2:00pm
Where: Portsmouth Public Library, Portsmouth, NH — In-Person
Community and church cookbooks are treasures that give us a glimpse of female groups, encapsulated in a place and time. Besides providing delicious treats, these recipe books can also be a springboard to genealogical adventure. Join Erin as we traipse over recipes for Ghorabie, Pacific Slope Punch, and Maple Creams in search of clues to unlock the stories of our female ancestors. Participants will receive a few choice vintage recipes as well as a “recipe” for research planning.
History and Mystery: A Genealogy Starter Guide
When: May 22nd
What Time: 6:30pm
Where: Durham Public Library, Durham, NH — In-Person
Are you interested in family history? Do you spend a lot of time in graveyards wondering about the names behind the stones? Then you just might be a genealogy enthusiast! Genealogy is the exploration of ancestral lines and can be done through countless records, resources and artifacts. Join us to explore useful methods for research planning through the case study of Elsie Gaskin (an eccentric librarian from New Hampshire) and become a better researcher along the way. ::This program is made possible through the New Hampshire Humanities Council::
A Beginner’s Guide to Cemetery Sleuthing
When: May 29th
What Time: 7:00pm
Where: Swampscott Public Library, Swampscott, MA — In-Person
Cemeteries hold invaluable clues to genealogical research. Etched in stone are names, symbols and abbreviations that not only tell us more about our ancestors but also about their place in time. This program will cover strategies to help locate your ancestor’s burial place, how to make the most out of a visit and how to decipher a variety of symbols. Includes a list of Erin’s favorite cemetery resources. Note: Most of this content covers New England cemeteries, though many symbols can be seen nationwide. The Beginners Guide to Cemetery Sleuthing: Workbook and Scavenger Hunt will be available for purchase after the program.
What’s the History of Your House?
When: June 12th
When: 6:00pm
Where: Newburyport Public Library, Newburyport, MA — In-Person
The best thing about tracking down the history of a house is that your research subject usually stays in one place! House history projects give us the opportunity to access local historical resources such as newspapers, deeds, city directories, and more. This avenue of research allows us to uncover architecture, neighborhoods, and people of the past. Join us as we track the records of a Masonic Lodge and delve into the history that is underfoot each day.
Mammoth Road: New Hampshire Folk Tales as an Avenue to Local History and Culture
When: August 14th
When: 2:00pm
Where: Rivermead, Peterborugh, NH — In-Person
Folk tales are passed from one generation to another, embellished by time and teller: Ethan Crawford was as tall as Mount Washington. He could carry at least 7 men on his back! Yet, when we look at folk tales, the people who compiled them, and the location from which they spring, we can access history in a new and entertaining way. Join us to hear and explore folk tales collected by the New Hampshire Women’s Federation (1932) and dig into local resources in search of truths. Was it tall tale or town history?