Have you ever wanted to know more about your family’s ancestors—what they did for work, how they lived, loved and were a part of a community’s history—and how they fit into your own history?
To help learn what it takes to trace your genealogy, attend a panel discussion at the Holliston Historical Society on September 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Asa Whiting House, 547 Washington Street, across from the Police Station. The panelists, Arlene Abbott, Susan Heavner and Paul LeBeau, are all Hollistonians who have done extensive work on their own genealogies. The panel will describe their experiences, suggest ways to get started and share resources that they found useful.
Susan Heavner says that doing her genealogy 20 years ago, “Sort of changed my life. I got so interested in what was going on in their [ancestors’] lives, I went back to college for a degree in history.
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” “The part I loved the most,” says Ms. Heavner, “was getting the names and then digging through newspapers for references to them to get personal details. I had a blast and even started writing a book, which I intend to finish soon.”
Heavner traveled to Washington D.C. four times a year to review pension files and read the letters that people sent to document their legitimate rights to benefits. Even if your immediate family members were recent immigrants (within the 20th century) and not members of the Mayflower expeditions, you can learn a lot about them from ship manifestos, census data, and vital records.
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Arlene Abbott encourages people to undertake their genealogies because, “It’s fascinating to learn who your ancestors are. You will be amazed at who you will find!”
The Holliston Historical Society is considering launching a “Genealogy Club” for anyone in the area that is interested in having a place to share information, people to call for advice and support and access to experienced genealogists and history programs. The Society maintains a library with information about Holliston and its residents dating back to its founding in the 1600s. The Society’s library is open to the public on the third Sunday of each month from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and by appointment.