Unfortunately, it's a little over 2000 miles to drive, so I don't often make the trip to Bristol County. I have visited the area and loved it and people were very friendly and helpful. After being there a while, I even picked up a bit of their language <grin>. Regarding the original town records of Rehoboth: apparently the town didn't have a book in which the town clerks kept records for the first few decades. My paternal ancestor, Richard Bullock, was one of the early town clerks (following William Carpenter and Peter Hunt), so I employed the NEHGS research staff to try to get samples of his hand writing. What they found was a transcription of the original records (probably kept on loose sheets of paper) into the town book made sometime later. It's possible that the town hall has those original records that were copied into the town's book, but they aren't available on microfilm. What I use for researching the early Rehoboth town records is Richard Bowen's "Early Rehoboth" (1945). There were also proprietors' records which were often intermingled with the town records. Bowen also included tax records which can be used as unofficial census records for the property owners. I also have "The History of Rehoboth" (1836) by Leonard Bliss, Jr., but Bowen is more recent and more accurate. Two of the books I have on Swansea are "History of Swansea" (1917) by Otis Olney Wright and "Sowams" (1908) by Thomas W. Bicknell. These are in addition to the towns' vital records that I have. Melissa mentioned the change of the RI-MA boundaries. It's true that what was the original Rehoboth settlement is now Rumford (part of East Providence), RI. The Newman Congregational Church and the early Rehoboth cemeteries are there and not in MA. Likewise, the Little Neck Cemetery used by early Swansea settlers is in Riverside (also part of East Providence). That's where Elizabeth (Tilley) Howland, Thomas Willet, many of the family of John Brown, and other early Swansea residents are buried. Jim Bullock Littleton, Colorado -----Original Message----- From: Charlotte Scozzafava [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2002 6:12 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [MABRISTO] Western Bristol County Jim, If you have the time, and are within reasonable driving distance, Attleboro City Hall and Rehoboth Town Hall provide access to original town records--selectmen's and town meeting. They provide a wealth of information. They weren't necessarily written in chronological order. I think that the town clerk, at first, attempted to put meeting notes concerning the same issue together, but that didn't last. As space became a premium, and the books were evidently expensive and hard-to-come-by, it appears that any empty page was utilized. Still, the records provide a fascinating glimpse into the colonial past. For example, there is an on-going dispute with an early minister, I believe his name was Sweet (but don't hold me to it). He wants a higher salary, a meeting house and a dwelling. He threatens to leave if he doesn't get it. They talk about what the town can provide, but he doesn't get what he wants. He leaves and they search for, and then hire a new one. Charlotte ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

Jim, the RI Historical Society library may be able to help with this. They have a very good film collection of early RI newspapers that may have also covered adjoining areas of Massachusetts (particularly since the borders have changed so much in that area). Melissa Jim Bullock wrote: > What newspapers existed in Bristol County prior to 1800? Are there copies > of any of them in existence? > > I know from Arnold's "Vital Record of Rhode Island" that one newspaper, the > "Rhode Island Gazette", was founded in 1732 but discontinued the next year. > The first newspaper to go into continuous publication in RI was the "Newport > Mercury" first issued 12 Jun 1758 by James Franklin, nephew of Benjamin > Franklin. Birth, death, and marriage data from that period are included in > the Mercury and other RI newspapers which are included in Arnold's VRs, so I > was wondering if anything similar is available for Bristol Co, MA. > > Jim Bullock > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

Jim, If you have the time, and are within reasonable driving distance, Attleboro City Hall and Rehoboth Town Hall provide access to original town records--selectmen's and town meeting. They provide a wealth of information. They weren't necessarily written in chronological order. I think that the town clerk, at first, attempted to put meeting notes concerning the same issue together, but that didn't last. As space became a premium, and the books were evidently expensive and hard-to-come-by, it appears that any empty page was utilized. Still, the records provide a fascinating glimpse into the colonial past. For example, there is an on-going dispute with an early minister, I believe his name was Sweet (but don't hold me to it). He wants a higher salary, a meeting house and a dwelling. He threatens to leave if he doesn't get it. They talk about what the town can provide, but he doesn't get what he wants. He leaves and they search for, and then hire a new one. Charlotte

On Sat, 21 Dec 2002 05:29:47 -0500 (EST) [email protected] writes: > A collection is also available at the Taunton Public Library... Which you can inquire about via their web site... http://www.tauntonlibrary.org/ Dale H. Cook USGenWeb Plymouth County MA Towns http://www.rootsweb.com/~macbrock/sites.html

On Sat, 21 Dec 2002 05:26:26 +0000 "Robert Gerrity" <[email protected]> writes: > Yes, several! And, among other places, Old Colony Historical > Society, The > Green, Taunton has a collection. Email, call or write them for > details. I > believe they have a web-site now, They do indeed have a site... http://www.oldcolonyhistoricalsociety.org Dale H. Cook USGenWeb Plymouth County MA Towns http://www.rootsweb.com/~macbrock/sites.html

On Fri, 20 Dec 2002 20:57:13 EST [email protected] writes: > Do you know if there were any papers published in the > Taunton/Raynham area in > the 1880's and 1890's? Thanks. That's one I can't answer offhand - my newspaper bibliography ends in 1820. Many large public libraries have the "Union List of Newspapers," which lists titles from 1821 on. Dale H. Cook USGenWeb Plymouth County MA Towns http://www.rootsweb.com/~macbrock/sites.html

A collection is also available at the Taunton Public Library...Norm

Yes, several! And, among other places, Old Colony Historical Society, The Green, Taunton has a collection. Email, call or write them for details. I believe they have a web-site now, I not, use ggole for a search of Massachusetts Museums & their address & phone number will turn up. Robert M. Gerrity YANKEE ANCESTRY P. O. Box 2814 Acton, MA 01720 >From: [email protected] >Reply-To: [email protected] >To: [email protected] >Subject: Re: [MABRISTO] Early Newspapers in Bristol County? >Date: Fri, 20 Dec 2002 20:57:13 EST > ><PRE>Do you know if there were any papers published in the Taunton/Raynham >area in >the 1880's and 1890's? Thanks. _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 3 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus&xAPID=42&PS=47575&PI=7324&DI=7474&SU= http://www.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/getmsg&HL=1216hotmailtaglines_eliminateviruses_3mf

<PRE>Do you know if there were any papers published in the Taunton/Raynham area in the 1880's and 1890's? Thanks.

On Fri, 20 Dec 2002 16:31:46 -0700 "Jim Bullock" <[email protected]> writes: > I don't think a New Bedford paper > would be as much help as papers from the western part of the county > would be--especially Rehoboth, Swansea, or Attleboro or possibly Taunton. Jim - Unfortunately the only Bristol Co. newspapers published up to 1820 were the ones in the southern part of the county. Three other titles were published in New Bedford between 1800 and 1820, and one of those removed to Fairhaven in 1812. Dale H. Cook USGenWeb Plymouth County MA Towns http://www.rootsweb.com/~macbrock/sites.html

Jim, There are several sites with lists of early American Newspapers. Most are associated with a library of some sort - even in the UK - but they do provide publication dates by city in MA and other states. http://www.readex.com/scholarl/EAN%20Title%20List%20R%202-21-02.PDF http://gort.ucsd.edu/ek/ushist/papersearly.html Florence

On Fri, 20 Dec 2002 12:38:02 -0700 "Jim Bullock" <[email protected]> writes: > What newspapers existed in Bristol County prior to 1800? Are there > copies > of any of them in existence? Jim - I own the standard reference work for that question, Clarence S. Brigham's "History and Bibliography of American Newspapers 1690-1820" (Worcester, MA: American Antiquarian Society, 1947). There were only two titles published in Bristol Co. prior to 1800. They are: [New Bedford] Medley, 1792-1799, issues in 10 collections. [New Bedford] Columbian Courier, 1798-1805, issues in 10 collections. Most of the issues of both titles appear to have survived. If you know what dates or range of dates you are interested in I can tell you which libraries hold those issues. Alternatively if you specify an area I can tell you which libraries in that area hold issues, and which ones. The New Bedford Public Library appears to hold the greatest number of issues, with (not surprisingly) the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester holding the second greatest number of issues. Dale H. Cook USGenWeb Plymouth County MA Towns http://www.rootsweb.com/~macbrock/sites.html

Many thanks, Dale, for the quick reply. I don't think a New Bedford paper would be as much help as papers from the western part of the county would be--especially Rehoboth, Swansea, or Attleboro or possibly Taunton. Incidentally, I'm not looking for anyone in particular, I'm just trying to add detail to those I have in western Bristol County. I'm still focusing most of my research on the early settlers of Rehoboth & Swansea and their ancestors, descendants, and families in that area during the Colonial period. However, I have done some work recently on Mayflower ancestor James Chilton. Jim Bullock RootsWeb WorldConnect database at http://wc.rootsweb.com/~jbbullock -----Original Message----- From: Dale H Cook [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, December 20, 2002 2:36 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [MABRISTO] Early Newspapers in Bristol County? On Fri, 20 Dec 2002 12:38:02 -0700 "Jim Bullock" <[email protected]> writes: > What newspapers existed in Bristol County prior to 1800? Are there > copies > of any of them in existence? Jim - I own the standard reference work for that question, Clarence S. Brigham's "History and Bibliography of American Newspapers 1690-1820" (Worcester, MA: American Antiquarian Society, 1947). There were only two titles published in Bristol Co. prior to 1800. They are: [New Bedford] Medley, 1792-1799, issues in 10 collections. [New Bedford] Columbian Courier, 1798-1805, issues in 10 collections. Most of the issues of both titles appear to have survived. If you know what dates or range of dates you are interested in I can tell you which libraries hold those issues. Alternatively if you specify an area I can tell you which libraries in that area hold issues, and which ones. The New Bedford Public Library appears to hold the greatest number of issues, with (not surprisingly) the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester holding the second greatest number of issues. Dale H. Cook USGenWeb Plymouth County MA Towns http://www.rootsweb.com/~macbrock/sites.html ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

What newspapers existed in Bristol County prior to 1800? Are there copies of any of them in existence? I know from Arnold's "Vital Record of Rhode Island" that one newspaper, the "Rhode Island Gazette", was founded in 1732 but discontinued the next year. The first newspaper to go into continuous publication in RI was the "Newport Mercury" first issued 12 Jun 1758 by James Franklin, nephew of Benjamin Franklin. Birth, death, and marriage data from that period are included in the Mercury and other RI newspapers which are included in Arnold's VRs, so I was wondering if anything similar is available for Bristol Co, MA. Jim Bullock

My gt.grandfather's daughter Julia SNAPE married 28 Dec, 1909 in Rhode Island a Thomas S MARTIN. 1920 Census gives the following information: Thomas MARTIN age 34 residing at 105 Rodman Street parents born Nova Scotia. Employed as 'Oiler' at Electric Company, wife Julia age 29 born MA, Children: Gladys, dau age 9 Thomas, son age 7 Edward, son age 5 William, son age 2 Frederick, son age 4 months. By the 1930 census Thomas snr was dead. Is there anyone out there who is researching the MARTIN family? any help would really be appreciated. Anita. New Zealand.

Diana, Do you have any birth and death dates or approximate ages at a given time for any of these folks? It is difficult to check w/out estimated ages. I did find a William F. McManus in the 1930 Census for Arlington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, not Attleboro. He was age 41 in 1930 so he was b. abt 1889-1890. He was born in Canada (English) and so were both parents. Looks like he immigrated to the US in 1905 or 1908. He was the owner of a garage. His wife was Catherine and children were Ralph, John and Mary. He owned his home and had a radio! Same guy is there in 1920, age 31, w/ Catherine, Ralph and John. Mcmanus, William F Age: 31 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Canada Roll: T625_706 Race: White Page: 17B State: Massachusetts ED: 5 County: Middlesex Image: 280 Township: Arlington If this is your grandfather, William F, then his father was probably born abt. 1850-1870. Suggest you try and find a death certificate or record from Bristol County. He doesn't show up in the 1920 census in Mass so he may have died between 1905/08 when the family appears to have immigrated and 1920. I don't have an index for 1910 so can't check that. If the above William F is yours, then you may be able to find him and his father in the 1881 Canadian Census online at LDS: http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=census/searc h_census.asp There were 10 males named William McManus (or variations thereon) in the 1850-70 birth range. To narrow, check families for similar naming patterns, also the Canadian census seems to have ethic origin and religion so if you know they were Catholic, or whatever, that might help you narrow the search, too. I you get his father's name from a death certificate, you could search for that, too. Good Luck and Happy Hunting! Jan -----Original Message----- From: Snoeman [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 7:51 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [MABRISTO] McManus Family looking for any information on the MCMANUS FAMILY in attleboro or the outskirts of attleboro. William Mcmanus is my mystery ggrandfather, no one seems to know about him. he married MARY LOUISE , and she came from canada. she is buried at a place called st. john's cemetery. they had 5 children. WILLIAM F MCMANUS which is my grandfather, other shildren's names. EARL MCMANUS, CHARLIE MCMANUS, MARY MCMANUS MARTIN, AND HAZEL MCMANUS ROLLINS. / now those are some of them. i know those children had children, so there must be someone out there that knows something about my family.i'm lost and confused about them. any help would be so appreciated ..... thank you diana e ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: 04 December 2002 10:09 Subject: [MABRISTO] Re: James C. WALKER Dear Norm You are an angel to find this out for me !!!! Thanks so much > just return from genealogical society, where they have indexes to mass > deaths. located a James C. WALKER, a Jeweler, died in Attleborough, (May > 1, 1882) age 35 years, Male, Married, (cause of death, Apoplexy), (born: > England), (Parents: John and KEREN (sic.)) His mothers 1st name was Kerenheppach which is handy if youre looking for WALKERS as sort of stands out :-) , (Birthplace of Parents: > England). REFERENCE: Massachusetts Vital Records Volume 337, Page 72, > Line 78........ hope this helps you, Norm Surely does . Gt gma must have packed up nearly straight away and returned to Birmingham as she re married there 11 Jul 1883 . If I dont ask I'll never know so........ Do you access to local newspapers c 2 - 3 May 1882 ?????? Maybe there was a 'sudden death of ' report ???? Could you check for me sometime ?????? The twist and turns of family history are strange sometimes. My husband descends from a dau of Elizas 2nd marriage . So if this James WALKER hadn't died young he and alot of others wouldnt be here and neither would I be writing this now ............ I DID have the right list after all THANK YOU Bye Marg Morters Member of Central Coast Family History Society GOSFORD NSW Australia

----- Original Message ----- From: "Dale H Cook" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: 03 December 2002 22:48 Subject: Re: [MABRISTO] Fw: How to find a death record c 1881/2 ?? > On Tue, 3 Dec 2002 21:23:42 +1100 "margm" <[email protected]> > writes: > > > Sadly I got no responses to my enquiry. Do I have the right > > list?? > > snip < > > Family story says he died but dont know exactly where , > > when or what from ??????? > Many thanks for this info > In order to get a Massachusetts death record for someone it helps to know > where he died. The records are kept by the individual city and town > clerks. Since your ggm was living in Attleborough (now Attleboro - the > name was shortened when it became a city in 1914) that is the reasonable > place to start. The vital records for Attleboro are published only Will follow it up thanks bye Marg Morters Member of Central Coast Family History Society GOSFORD NSW Australia

Sadly I got no responses to my enquiry. Do I have the right list?? TIA Bye Marg Morters Member of Central Coast Family History Society GOSFORD NSW Australia ----- Original Message ----- From: "margm" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: 25 November 2002 07:24 Subject: How to find a death record c 1881/2 ?? > Dear Listers > > Found in the 1880 US on -line census one of my husbands > gtgt grandmothers, Eliza WALKER , living in Attleborough > after migrating to the US from Birmingham, UK > > Her first husband, James Caleb WALKER was a jeweller ....... > Family story says he died but dont know exactly where , > when or what from ??????? > > She returned to Birmingham with their daughter, Elisabeth. > Married husband # 2 in 1884 and came out to Australia in > 1885 where they settled . > > Hope someone can help ! > > Many thanks > > Bye > > Marg Morters > Member of > Central Coast Family History Society > GOSFORD > NSW > Australia > > >

what genealogical society? Where is it? > [Original Message] > From: <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Date: 12/3/02 6:09:24 PM > Subject: [MABRISTO] Re: James C. WALKER > > Hello Marg; > just return from genealogical society, where they have indexes to mass > deaths. located a James C. WALKER, a Jeweler, died in Attleborough, (May > 1, 1882) age 35 years, Male, Married, (cause of death, Apoplexy), (born: > England), (Parents: John and KEREN (sic.)), (Birthplace of Parents: > England). REFERENCE: Massachusetts Vital Records Volume 337, Page 72, > Line 78........ hope this helps you, Norm > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 --- Craig Crowell Baker --- [email protected] --- EarthLink: It's your Internet.