Just reminded after a visit there that the West Springfield, Ma Library's Historical Room http://www.wspl.org (ask permission & use rare book procedures) has a rather full set (exclusive of Boston Metro) of Vital Statistics volumes issued by the State for various Massachusetts towns for years 1640 or so through 1850. Very handy books one book per town or small city published in the '30's. Their Bowler Collection (shelved in that room) also has a good Scottish Surnames Volume & other Mass Civl War & History Source materials and some fine family histories including "Champion & Keep Family Histories" The Westfield Public Library has US Federal Cenuses on microfilm for Westfield .. and some other sources. Forbes Library In Northampton is arther exposed and the Librarians shouls secure it better ...but a good rich niche of Family histories and good New England reference genealogical name & historical texts. Holyoke has an historiccal roomalso at its main library open at the latter end ofthe week. Springfield has free days for Springfield residents and memberships at its Conneciticut Valley Historical Library http://www.quadrangle.org Alll have rather good cross-jurisdciational resources such as City Directories. Also Holyoke City Clerk (don't excessively 'bug em' has a good set of ehind the conter directories for use with Voter registration verification & voter registraton history checks. Springfield's genealogical Library has a microfiche collection of the older Pynchon land Registers (saves a trip to the Courthouse) If forgotton rare or special collection procedures usualy mean: A sign-in Use of pencils only Special or no photocopy rules Books are most frequently left on the tables is they are old or tehir use unsupervised directly (for -re-check in and care in re-shelving) Bindings may break or pages tear or crumble Ask permission to use 'flash' oncameras and as I will consider buyi a low-cost good resolution digital camera to substitute for photocopying and note taking (Make an image download & transcribe later) Conserve that microfilm & fiche - remember to inimize fingerprints & lift the glass pate on the reader when re-winding to minimize scratches or film breaks. ASK wthout embarrassment See if the library keeps or could use a fuller catalog of the multipally used resources. And lets use our 'library lobby' power to get tax appropriations for a good public return (also a very influential & popular one for the libraries) Ciao [On behalf of the informal ad hoc committee to reduce SNOBBY genealogy] http://community.webtv.net/scottagin/FIFAWORLDCUPKOREA http://community.webtv.net/scottagin/SCOTTMCON http://community.webtv.net/scottagin/SNOWPLOWS http://community.webtv.net/scottagin/TERRORISTSatLARGE http://community.webtv.net/scottagin/MacNeill http://community.webtv.net/scottagin/GenealogyLinks http://community.webtv.net/scottagin/fontshadowHEBRIDES Scott M Connolly ... SCOTTMCON 9 Pilgrim Road West Springfield, Ma 01089 (413) 788-9142 ... also [email protected] IRC www.zuh.net Port 6667 #scottmcon