Go to Rootsweb.com and then to "Email Groups". Find CT-RIVER-VALLEY-L@Rootsweb.com on the list and follow instructions how to UNSUBSCRIBE. Mainly it amounts to your typing in UNSUBSCRIBE in both the Subject line and also within the Body of the emal. NO other words. Just Unsubscribe. A computer reads this (no humans) and then takes you off the list. Good luck. S. Childs ----- Original Message ----- From: "L. Albert Webb" <w1hod@comcast.net> To: <CT-RIVER-VALLEY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2003 8:41 AM Subject: Re: [CRV] Fw: [GM-L] Maybe helpful Josiah Cobb Info > How do I get OFF your list. Not active now and repeated deletions a bore. > hanks > > > > ==== CT-RIVER-VALLEY Mailing List ==== > Karima, List Administrator mailto:CT-River-Valley-admin@rootsweb.com > Browse the CT-RIVER-VALLEY-L Threaded Archives at > http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/CT-RIVER-VALLEY > >

Hello, A biographical sketch and photograph of Dr. Edward ROSS has been added to the Gateway to Vermont Web Site. Source: "Successful Vermonters: A Modern Gazetteer of Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties." by William H. Jeffrey, East Burke, Vermont, The Historical Publishing Company, 1904. Transcribed and submitted by Tom Dunn. The bio and photo are accessible from the main gateway page, by clicking on the "Latest Additions" button (located in the middle of the page): http://www.rootsweb.com/~vermont/VERMONTGATEWAY.html Best wishes and good luck with your search, Karima List Administrator Vermont Discussion List http://www.rootsweb.com/~vermont/VermontWelcome.html Visit the VERMONT-L Web Site http://www.rootsweb.com/~vermont/ --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.509 / Virus Database: 306 - Release Date: 8/12/2003

Below are some websites of the cemeteries I have on my photo website... here you may find the missing ancestors that I didnt "shoot" (camera) Cynthia http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jdevlin/source_files/wethersfield_inscriptions_main.htm Jane has many more towns you can check out ..... Cynthia

Hi-- the book: VERMONT'S FIRST SETTLERS; Jay M.Holbrook,Oxford,Ma.,1976 it lists settlers who received LAND GRANTS between 1763 - 1803; more info can be found in the Vermont State papers "Charters granted by the State of Vermont", edited by Franklin H.Dewart and pub in 1922. -- There is only ONE Gibson listed: Samuel Gibson, Richford,Franklin Co.,Aug.21,1780 -- Cynthia Massachusetts ----- Original Message ----- From: <brucerc@pcpartner.net> To: <VERMONT-L@rootsweb.com> > Searching for birth place of Timothy Gibson b. 30 Jan 1779. I had been under the impression that he was born in NH, according to an unofficial genealogy done by a family member, but in two different censuses, a son has indicated he was born in VT. > > His parents were Abel Gibson b. 1744 in MA and Mary Gibson b. 1750 in MA. > > He married Priscilla Lee, b. 20 Apr 1784 in NY. > > Any idea where I might start searching for his birth records? > > Any help will be greatly appreciated. > > Lola in Iowa > > > > > ==== VERMONT Mailing List ==== > Visit the VERMONT-L Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~vermont/ > If you have something to add, please let me know. > Karima, List Administrator mailto:VERMONT-admin@rootsweb.com > >

Of course there are burying grounds in Goshen.... but what you need to know is: 1.Narragansett # 4 West .....(Narragansett townships were given to soldiers(around 1730's) who fought the Indian Wars, especially King Philip's, 1674-77. 2.Gore Plantation..have no information on this 3.Prior to 1781, it was part of Chesterfield called "hesterfield Gore" 4.1781 incorporated as a town 5.1785 part of Conway annexes 6.1789 part annexed to Chesterfield 7.1795 bounds between Goshen, Chesterfield,and Williamsburg established (bounds established 2 more times, 1797 and 1810) souce: Historical Data Relating to Counties,Cities and Towns in Mass.; Sec. of Commonwealth, NEGHS, 1997 ---------- When looking for your ancestor(s) be sure to check out the other towns as well IF you dont find whom you are seeking in Goshen. --- Cynthia list admin for Mass Bay Colony http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/MA-BAY-COLONY ----- Original Message ----- From: <Kjolvaney2@aol.com> To: <MAFRANKL-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2003 10:11 AM Subject: [MAFRANKL] goshen cemetery's > Hello everyone, can someone tell me were there are any burying ground's in or > around Goshen. > > > ==== MAFRANKL Mailing List ==== > Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness > http://www.raogk.org/massachu.htm > >

Please remove my name from your e-mail list. I am not active now and deleting mail is becoming a problem Thanks

Jane: I took about 40 photos of the First Church of Christ old burying ground yesterday.....will be uploading them this weekend. http://Cyndy.smugmug.com Cyndy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jane Devlin" <janedevlin@ameritech.net> To: <CT-RIVER-VALLEY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2003 12:36 PM Subject: [CRV] 1904 Directory, 1st Church of Christ, Hartford, Hartford Co., CT > I just finished transcribing the 1904 Directory [or Year Book] for the 1st > Church of Christ in Hartford, Hartford Co., CT. It includes admissions, > dismissions, baptisms, marriages and deaths for that year along with a > complete > listing of all members with their addresses and maiden names of married > women. > Most interesting is the listing of Non-Resident members. Some of these > people > moved to neighboring towns, but others moved to other states and even > countries > like India, Turkey & Germany. > > The URL is http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jdevlin/ > > Jane Devlin > Lake Orion, MI > > > ==== CT-RIVER-VALLEY Mailing List ==== > Karima, List Administrator mailto:CT-River-Valley-admin@rootsweb.com > Browse the CT-RIVER-VALLEY-L Threaded Archives at > http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/CT-RIVER-VALLEY > >

I just finished transcribing the 1904 Directory [or Year Book] for the 1st Church of Christ in Hartford, Hartford Co., CT. It includes admissions, dismissions, baptisms, marriages and deaths for that year along with a complete listing of all members with their addresses and maiden names of married women. Most interesting is the listing of Non-Resident members. Some of these people moved to neighboring towns, but others moved to other states and even countries like India, Turkey & Germany. The URL is http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jdevlin/ Jane Devlin Lake Orion, MI

How do I get OFF your list. Not active now and repeated deletions a bore. hanks

----- Original Message ----- From: "Cliff Cobb" <jake1@netsync.net> To: <GenMassachusetts-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 12:30 PM Subject: [GM-L] Maybe helpful Josiah Cobb Info > Josiah Cobb was born in 1773 the son of ___? Cobb and ___? ___? in either Ma. or VT. On april 1, 1793, Josiah married Hannah Crittenden b. May 2, 1775, in Ashfield, the dau. of Isaac Crittenden and Phebe Foster, also in 1793 a (H)osiah Cobb was listed as a Taxpayer in Ashfield. In 1800, Josiah Cobb was the Grantee on a property sale in Buckland. By the 1800 Census for Buckland, they had 4 children living with them; 2 boys under ten, named ___? and ___?, and 2 girls named ___? and ___?. In the 1810 Census For Buckland they had 7 children: 3 boys under 10yrs: ___?, Josiah Jr. b.1801, Christopher Bliss b.1808, 1 boy ___? 10-16yrs. 2 girls under 10yrs. ___?, Nancy b.1802, 1 girl ___? 10-16 yrs., 2 women between 26-45, Hannah and ___? and 1 Woman over 45yrs. On May 2,1814, in Buckland, Josiah married Phebe Shaw b.May 22, 1784, in Taunton, Ma., the dau. of Benjamin Shaw and Sarah Richmond. By at least June of 1814, Josiah, aged 41, joined the Mass Militia raised in Boston, In S! > ept. of 1814, he was stationed at Rochester, NY., under Gen. Goodwin's command. Also 1n 1814, he wa Grantor on a property transaction in Buckland. Between 1814 and 1817 Josiah relocated to Clarkson, then Genessee Co., NY just outside of Rochester. This could be becase of a Land Grant or Bounty from the War of 1812. We know josiah was in Clarkson by or before, because Richmond, eldest by Phebe, was born there in 1817. The 1820 Census shows Josiah, Phebe and children Josiah Jr., Nancy, Christopher Bliss, Chauncy (b.1812 to Hannah), living in Clarkson, NY. What happened to the 4 children born 1794-1800, they would have been 20-26 yrs.old in 1820? Did some or all stay in Ma., or did they move to NY, and leave the home before the 1820 Census? The 1830 Census for Clarkson shows Josiah, now 57, Phebe now 46, Chauncy 18, Richmond 13, ___? female 5-10, and William 2. After 1830 I have absolutely "0" info on Josiah and Phebe nor the first four children by Hannah. Anyone out there that! > may have anything on this family, your help would be greatly appreciated. In stumbling about in my usually ignorant way I have come across many transplanted New Englanders here or were here in Western NY. Info I will gladly share. Cliff > > > ==== GenMassachusetts Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe: http://www.rootsweb.com/~maillist/us/index.html > >

Have added 8 new photos for Wethersfield........these photos are the LAST 6...way down to the bottom.... Next week will rearrange the photos as they belong up towards the top of the page. http://cyndy.smugmug.com/gallery/12001/1/599303 Cynthia

There are MANY of the names for Hartford are in East Hartford... please go over the list and let me know what you would like.... -- if you want several pictures of a family.....I can get the 12 exposure film and charge only for film, developing,and postage. --- otherwise I'll just take photos of various surnames and put them up on photo website. ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ct/hartford/towns/easthartford/cemetery/cen-a-c.txt get back to me by Sat. Cynthia list admin for Mass Bay Colony http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/MA-BAY-COLONY http://Cyndy.smugmug.com

Someone asked for This name......do you see anyone you want ? let me know. Cynthia ------------------------------------------------------ AH BURNHAM JONATHON, JUN'R1728c 1750 AS 0020 BURNHAM EFFIE 1874 1933 AB BURNHAM RALPH H. 1844c 1873 BW 0269 BURNHAM SEDGWICK P. 1903 1965 BW 0131 BURNHAM MARY AURELIA 1830c 1840 BW 0131 BURNHAM MEHETABEL 1802 1881 AB BURNHAM LAURA 1817c 1888 BW 0131 BURNHAM THOMAS 1803 1889 AB BURNHAM ALBERT W. 1846c 1850 BW 0131 BURNHAM LEONARD ALEXAND1845c 1864 BW 0131 BURNHAM EDGAR A. 1837c 1902 AB BURNHAM JULIUS 1809c 1891 CA 0001 BURNHAM KATE ANDERSON 1885 1968 BW 0131 BURNHAM RUTH 1899 1924 AO BURNHAM MABEL ABBEY 1811c 1825 CB 0002 BURNHAM MILDRED 1889 1982 CB 0002 BURNHAM LLOYD J. 1890 1946 BW 0131 BURNHAM BURT L. 1871c 1873 BW 0141 BURNHAM MARIA H. 1823c 1867 AM BURNHAM CHARLES 1822c 1871 BW 0141 BURNHAM PATRICK W. 1808 1896 AM BURNHAM HARRIETT 1825c 1825 CB 0039 BURNHAM MARY B. 1860 1934 AO BURNHAM ANNA 1785c 1876 CA 0001 BURNHAM ALBERT F. 1874 1946 AO BURNHAM JESSE 1786c 1854 CA 0001 BURNHAM ALNA E. 1923 1988 AM BURNHAM PHINEAS 1813c 1830 CB 0001 BURNHAM RALPH E. 1898 1956 AH BURNHAM NOAH 1744c 1746 CB 0029 BURNHAM HENRY R. 1842 1919 CB 0029 BURNHAM SARAH E. 1855 1934 CB 0001 BURNHAM JANE LOUISE 1924 AH BURNHAM SAMUEL 1748c 1819 CB 0003 BURNHAM JENNIE G. 1856 1942 CB 0003 BURNHAM FRANK J. 1852 1911 AO BURNHAM MARTIN 1815c 1861 CB 0039 BURNHAM LEANDER T. 1858 1940 BO 0210 BURNHAM ELEAZER 1807c 1884 AM BURNHAM HENRY L 1835 1835 AM BURNHAM ANTINA 1810 1810 AM BURNHAM SILAS 1790c 1815 AM BURNHAM ABBY 1780 1855 AM BURNHAM GEORGE 1779 1859 BW 0131 BURNHAM DWIGHT L. 1872 1948 AB BURNHAM ROGER 1761c 1845 AB BURNHAM ROXY 1784c 1851 BO 0210 BURNHAM JANE A. 1817c 1879 AH BURNHAM JABEZ, SGT. 1699c 1758 AO BURNHAM LEVI 1813c 1859 AH BURNHAM SARAH 1697c 1734 CB 0025 BURNHAM DAVID C. 1852 1918 CB 0025 BURNHAM RHODA E. 1867 1938 BW 0269 BURNHAM GLADYS P. 1898 1966 BW 0269 BURNHAM WILLIE PORTER 1864 1865 BW 0131 BURNHAM LOTTA L. 1871 1944 BW 0131 BURNHAM KATHLEEN 1905 1905 AH BURNHAM LEVI 1746c 1751 BW 0131 BURNHAM JOHN T. 1835 1909 BW 0269 BURNHAM WALTER H. 1906 1967 AM BURNHAM ESTHER 1698c 1781 BW 0131 BURNHAM MARIETTA 1832 1924 AM BURNHAM CHESTER 1796c 1832 AH BURNHAM JOHN 1689c 1776 BB 0226 BURNHAM CLARENCE P. 1853 1902 BB 0226 BURNHAM E.P. 1885 1970 BM 0157 BURNHAM MABEL A. 1888 1966 BB 0226 BURNHAM RANSOM N. 1849 1892 BM 0157 BURNHAM GERTRUDE MAY 1891 1891 BB 0226 BURNHAM MILLIE M. 1855 1928 BM 0272 BURNHAM DOROTHY 1906 BM 0272 BURNHAM A. CLINTON 1930 AS 0030 BURNHAM ANNA S. 1855 1856 AS 0030 BURNHAM ANNA S. 1855 1856 AS 0030 BURNHAM EDITH D. 1887 1980 BH 0119 BURNHAM JAMES HOWARD 1854c 1855 AS 0030 BURNHAM GEORGE F. 1882 1937 AM BURNHAM HANNAH 1727c 1794 AM BURNHAM ZENAS 1760c 1820 AS 0030 BURNHAM MARY H. 1852 1939 AS 0030 BURNHAM JOHN H. 1851 1915 AS 0030 BURNHAM MARY G. 1822 1892 AS 0030 BURNHAM JOHN A. 1817 1895 AH BURNHAM AARON 1760c 1832 AM BURNHAM HANNAH 1695c 1784 AM BURNHAM (STILLBORN) 1801 AH BURNHAM AARON 1776c 1796 AH BURNHAM CALEB 1704c 1750 AH BURNHAM CORNELIUS 1727c 1764 AH BURNHAM MABEL 1752c 1795 AM BURNHAM ZENAS 1760c 1820 AH BURNHAM SOLOMON 1763c 1826 AH BURNHAM TIMOTHY 1772c 1815 AH BURNHAM TIMOTHY 1733c 1816 AM BURNHAM SETH 1812 AM BURNHAM CHARLS 1752 AH BURNHAM FIDELIA 1796c 1815 AH BURNHAM SIMEON 1757c 1788 AH BURNHAM RUSSEL 1762c 1817 AM BURNHAM THANKFUL 1765c 1819? BM 0272 BURNHAM GRACE E. 1879c 1916 AM BURNHAM SILAS 1790c 1815 BW 0269 BURNHAM MARY S. 1866 1931 BB 0226 BURNHAM FANNIE SNOW 1879c 1880 AO BURNHAM ELLEN C. 1853c 1892 BM 0157 BURNHAM WILLIE B. 1862 1949 BH 0119 BURNHAM NELLIE A. 1857c 1858 BM 0157 BURNHAM ANNA M. 1870 1959 AH BURNHAM THANKFUL 1741c 1824 BB 0226 BURNHAM AUSTIN 1820 1901 BB 0226 BURNHAM FRANCES M. 1819 1892 BB 0226 BURNHAM EMMA O. 1856 1909 BW 0269 BURNHAM JOSHUA G. 1815 1895 BW 0269 BURNHAM SARAH A. 1818 1901 AM BURNHAM SILAS 1788 CA 0048 BURNHAM RANSOM M. 1839c 1903 AO BURNHAM WALLACE S. 1878c 1898 BB 0226 BURNHAM EMILY 1853 1890 BW 0269 BURNHAM SAMUEL P. 1820 1901 AM BURNHAM JEMIMA 1793c 1873 AO BURNHAM SPENCER 1817c 1869 AO BURNHAM MARY W. 1817c 1883 BM 0274 BURNHAM SPENCER H. 1843 1920 BM 0274 BURNHAM MARY C. 1854 1929 AM BURNHAM CORNELIUS 1774c 1845 BM 0274 BURNHAM ROBERT A. 1886 1886 AM BURNHAM MARY 1779 1859 BM 0274 BURNHAM ARTHUR S. 1898 1940 BM 0274 BURNHAM SPENCER H. 1843c 1920 AM BURNHAM LOUIS 1783c 1819 AM BURNHAM GEORGE A 1779c 1859 AM BURNHAM HENRY LEANDER 1835 AO BURNHAM EMMA 1855c 1879 BM 0282 BURNHAM ROBERT E. 1900 1974 BM 0284 BURNHAM G. DWIGHT 1849 1927 BM 0284 BURNHAM GRACE J. 1851 1890 BM 0284 BURNHAM HOWARD B. 1875 1892 AM BURNHAM JOSEPH 1758 BW 0269 BURNHAM ANN A. 1834 1921 BW 0269 BURNHAM WILBUR S. 1864 1926 AM BURNHAM SUSAN 1810c 1828 AH BURNHAM ABIJAH 1732c 1750 BH 0119 BURNHAM MARIA A. 1826c 1884 AH BURNHAM JABEZ 1728c 1736 BH 0119 BURNHAM ANTHONY 1824c 1893 AM BURNHAM CHARLOTTE 1826c 1826 AM BURNHAM MARY W 1775c 1867 AM BURNHAM . 1812c 1833 AM BURNHAM ASHAEL 1823 AH BURNHAM AARON 1760c 1832 AH BURNHAM JANE A. 1834c 1897 AH BURNHAM PHENEHAS 1754c 1776 AH BURNHAM EPAPRAS 1731c 1736 BM 0272 BURNHAM JENNIE A. 1852c 1908 AH BURNHAM ELEAZAR 1780c 1816 AM BURNHAM JOHN 1786c 1820 AH BURNHAM SARAH B. 1784c 1863 AO BURNHAM ALPHONSE 1845c 1860 AM BURNHAM RICHARD, LIEUT.1693c 1754 BM 0272 BURNHAM Z. ARTHUR 1840c 1885 AH BURNHAM SARAH 1782c 1840 AH BURNHAM HESEKIAH 1780c 1828 AM BURNHAM SOPHIA 1803c 1803 AM BURNHAM MINDWELL 1737c 1761

Someone asked for Covel photos....I didnt find any in the old burying ground at Hartford....but Glastonbury has a few.... will stop there another time.... as I go by G. ------------- COVEL WATSON 1793c 14 JAN 1795 S/O ELIPHALET & ELIZABETH COVELL CLARISSA HURLBUT 1789c 2 NOV 1817 W/O GEORGE COVELL LOUIS LATIMER 1796c 27 JAN 1817 W/O EDMUND COVELL GEORGE 1782c 4 MAY 1850 COVELL EDWARD 1767c 29 MAY 1790 COVELL JAMES 1714c 0 SEP 1776 COVELL SAMUEL, CAPT. 1745c 7 MAY 1822 H/O ANNA (MACK) COVELL ANNA MACK 1751c 8 JUL 1816 W/O CAPT. SAMUEL COVELL LYDIA HODGE 1756c 16 OCT 1851 W/O ELIJAH COVELL ELIJAH, CAPT. 1755c 21 APR 1821 This was probably his original stone; when his wife died a joint stone was installed. COVELL SAMUEL 1772c 27 OCT 1793 POINT PETER S/O CAPT. SAMUEL & ANNA (MACK) See inscription for Anna (Mack) Covell COVELL ELIJAH Cynthia list admin for Mass Bay Colony http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/MA-BAY-COLONY subscribe Ma-Bay-Colony-L-request@rootsweb.com

Lists: I was in Hartford today, I found the Old burying ground other wise know as the Center Church ...took about 40 pictures. Some of the stones were too far gone to be photographed..and many are missing... I was able to find Skinner, Lord, and Burnham.....these families had several stones but I took only 1 of each, the oldest. then I went to the South Cemetery which is "down the road" from the Center Cem., and was shocked to see how little there is there.....very few stones..and the whole place was fenced in so couldnt get photos of them. Next week will try East Hartford....I know there is an old cem.there,as I have seen it in passing, and if I remember correctly, East Hartford was part of Hartford until 18__something. Cynthia list admin for Mass Bay Colony http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/MA-BAY-COLONY

Hello, A biographical sketch and photograph of Jonathan ROSS, (Judge of Supreme Court and State Senator), has been added to the Gateway to Vermont Web Site. Source: "Successful Vermonters: A Modern Gazetteer of Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties." by William H. Jeffrey, East Burke, Vermont, The Historical Publishing Company, 1904. Transcribed and submitted by Tom Dunn. The bio and photo are accessible from the main gateway page, by clicking on the "Latest Additions" button (located in the middle of the page): http://www.rootsweb.com/~vermont/VERMONTGATEWAY.html Best wishes and good luck with your search, Karima List Administrator Vermont Discussion List http://www.rootsweb.com/~vermont/VermontWelcome.html Visit the VERMONT-L Web Site http://www.rootsweb.com/~vermont/ --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.507 / Virus Database: 304 - Release Date: 8/4/2003

I meant no disrespect for the town of Dalton. I just mentioned that I thought it was a little pricey and was looking for other ways to get information before I wrote to the town clerk's office for a document. I have researched through Concord, Vt. and Island Pond and St. Johnsbury and they were a great help to me and that I felt Dalton was more expensive that that of the towns I have researched in. I have also been to Berlin and write to my hometowns in Maine all the time and they are all a great help and I do pay my way. I grew up in Mexico, Maine, so I know what small towns are like, I went to school with the town clerk of Rumford and totally understand what you are talking about. However as I said before, Dalton fees are more than most towns and I am looking for another way to research my family before I send for a request from Dalton... Jean Ahearn Lakeland, Fl.

Try new York towns-- I recently heard that the state of New York is making them all charge some exhorbiditant fee like $25 or more. JUDIE ----- Original Message ----- From: <Jbukoveck@aol.com> To: <CT-RIVER-VALLEY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 2:17 PM Subject: [CRV] Re: research of small towns > I meant no disrespect for the town of Dalton. I just mentioned that I thought > it was a little pricey and was looking for other ways to get information > before I wrote to the town clerk's office for a document. I have researched > through Concord, Vt. and Island Pond and St. Johnsbury and they were a great help to > me and that I felt Dalton was more expensive that that of the towns I have > researched in. I have also been to Berlin and write to my hometowns in Maine > all the time and they are all a great help and I do pay my way. > > I grew up in Mexico, Maine, so I know what small towns are like, I went to > school with the town clerk of Rumford and totally understand what you are > talking about. However as I said before, Dalton fees are more than most towns and I > am looking for another way to research my family before I send for a request > from Dalton... > > Jean Ahearn > Lakeland, Fl. > > > ==== CT-RIVER-VALLEY Mailing List ==== > This List covers the history and genealogy of the Connecticut River Valley [Connecticut, Massachuttes, New Hampshire & Vermont]. > > List Guidelines: http://www.rootsweb.com/~vermont/CTRiverValleyWelcome.html >

Chris I am so glad that you pointed that out-- throughout New England there are still amny tiny towns who do not have a data base or a fee schedule-- please foks lets remember that when we are doing our research. As I have traveled around the country I hav efound most clerks to be gracious, friendly and helpful. A couple have not been and when asked they will admit that some genealogists are very demanding. Lets all stive to be the ones who are friendly and non demanding. JUDIE ----- Original Message ----- From: Christopher Brooks <trib@tributaries.org> To: <CT-RIVER-VALLEY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 8:48 AM Subject: Re: [CRV] Town Clerks [WAS: Bushey/Meacham/Mitchell, etc.] > A reader wrote: > > :I am doing research on my husband's family. They were located all > :over Concord, Vt. Waterford,East Concord, Lunenburg as well as > :Northumberland, NH, Lisbon, Bethlehem, & Lancaster. [snip] > :I have written to several of the towns and I get no reply. I wrote > :to Dalton, NH and they charge 12.00 per research item. [snip] > > I'd like to comment about the town clerk in northern New Hampshire. I > can't speak for the Vermont towns mentioned, though they're within 25 > miles of where I live, but I was assistant town clerk of one of the > New Hampshire towns mentioned. > > Lancaster, the biggest of the towns mentioned, had 3,280 people in > the 2000 census. Dalton had 927 people, and is consistently, from > census to census, one of the poorest towns in the state. Dalton's > very limited town services are paid for entirely through property > taxes. The current municipal operating budget of $536,406 does not > include subsidies for non-residents interested in their Dalton > ancestors. The budget probably does have a few hundred dollars for > the town clerk, but that money will be allocated to expenses only > (utilities, postage, phone), and accounted for to the penny next > March at town meeting. > > The northern New Hampshire town clerk is almost always a part-time > elected official, generally unsalaried by the town, and in the > smallest towns often working from home. For each official > performance of duty the town clerk receives a state-specified fee -- > perhaps eight bucks for an auto registration, a dollar for a dog > license, six bucks for a marriage registration. Town clerks don't > handle voter registrations, which fall to elected supervisors of the > checklist, who receive a per diem for days worked by law in election > years. We have as few elections as possible because "they cost > money," as our elected officials remind us from time to time. > > In a town the size of Dalton, there aren't that many duties in a > given year, and so the Dalton town clerk might accumulate $8,000 a > year in fees. It's essentially a part-time job with split-shift hours > (to accommodate citizen access) for which the compensation might > work out to $8.00 an hour -- McDonald's money. Unless the town has > established fees for vital record lookups, the town clerk may not be > compensated at all for time researching a research query "from away." > If the Dalton town clerk has, with the permission of the selectmen, > established a $12.00 fee for VR lookups, then good for her! She will > be paid something for her time. The fact that there is a fee suggests > that she has done lookups before and that requests will in fact be > answered. The existence of a fee simply reflects the principle of no > free lunch. > > It's important, when sending a query to a rural town clerk, to > (a) Enclose an SASE (or better, obtain a phone number and > call, saving the necessity of a written response). > (b) Offer explicitly and up-front to cover fees and expenses. > (c) Be courteous -- as a non-resident, you're asking a favor, > not demanding a publicly-funded service to which you are > entitled as a taxpayer somewhere else. > (d) Remember that almost none of these towns have their vital > records indexed. For $12.00, the Dalton town clerk will go > through the old leatherbound volumes page by page > to find the requested item, and then prepare and send you > a written certificate. That's an incredible bargain. > > Chris > > Christopher Brooks > Littleton, NH > > > > ==== CT-RIVER-VALLEY Mailing List ==== > Karima, List Administrator mailto:CT-River-Valley-admin@rootsweb.com > Browse the CT-RIVER-VALLEY-L Threaded Archives at > http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/CT-RIVER-VALLEY >

A reader wrote: :I am doing research on my husband's family. They were located all :over Concord, Vt. Waterford,East Concord, Lunenburg as well as :Northumberland, NH, Lisbon, Bethlehem, & Lancaster. [snip] :I have written to several of the towns and I get no reply. I wrote :to Dalton, NH and they charge 12.00 per research item. [snip] I'd like to comment about the town clerk in northern New Hampshire. I can't speak for the Vermont towns mentioned, though they're within 25 miles of where I live, but I was assistant town clerk of one of the New Hampshire towns mentioned. Lancaster, the biggest of the towns mentioned, had 3,280 people in the 2000 census. Dalton had 927 people, and is consistently, from census to census, one of the poorest towns in the state. Dalton's very limited town services are paid for entirely through property taxes. The current municipal operating budget of $536,406 does not include subsidies for non-residents interested in their Dalton ancestors. The budget probably does have a few hundred dollars for the town clerk, but that money will be allocated to expenses only (utilities, postage, phone), and accounted for to the penny next March at town meeting. The northern New Hampshire town clerk is almost always a part-time elected official, generally unsalaried by the town, and in the smallest towns often working from home. For each official performance of duty the town clerk receives a state-specified fee -- perhaps eight bucks for an auto registration, a dollar for a dog license, six bucks for a marriage registration. Town clerks don't handle voter registrations, which fall to elected supervisors of the checklist, who receive a per diem for days worked by law in election years. We have as few elections as possible because "they cost money," as our elected officials remind us from time to time. In a town the size of Dalton, there aren't that many duties in a given year, and so the Dalton town clerk might accumulate $8,000 a year in fees. It's essentially a part-time job with split-shift hours (to accommodate citizen access) for which the compensation might work out to $8.00 an hour -- McDonald's money. Unless the town has established fees for vital record lookups, the town clerk may not be compensated at all for time researching a research query "from away." If the Dalton town clerk has, with the permission of the selectmen, established a $12.00 fee for VR lookups, then good for her! She will be paid something for her time. The fact that there is a fee suggests that she has done lookups before and that requests will in fact be answered. The existence of a fee simply reflects the principle of no free lunch. It's important, when sending a query to a rural town clerk, to (a) Enclose an SASE (or better, obtain a phone number and call, saving the necessity of a written response). (b) Offer explicitly and up-front to cover fees and expenses. (c) Be courteous -- as a non-resident, you're asking a favor, not demanding a publicly-funded service to which you are entitled as a taxpayer somewhere else. (d) Remember that almost none of these towns have their vital records indexed. For $12.00, the Dalton town clerk will go through the old leatherbound volumes page by page to find the requested item, and then prepare and send you a written certificate. That's an incredible bargain. Chris Christopher Brooks Littleton, NH