From The Concord Enterprise, 27 November 1901 - Acton Center: Miss Mary Bowers of Mattapan visiting Mrs. Sophia Whitcomb; Mrs. L. H. Tuttle wants girl or woman for housework; Mrs. Harriet D. Harris, deceased; the Misses Greenough were in Boston. West Acton: Joseph DeSousa gone to the Azores to visit his mother; Mrs. M. I. Houghton has embroideries and linens for sale; Mrs. Jane Tuttle of Fitchburg is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Goding; Henry Willard, deceased; Harry Tuttle and Gertrude Rivers of Fitchburg wed. Marlboro: J. H. Brokaw returned to Northampton; Michael Hartnett is working evenings at Sweeney & Whalen's shoe store; Felix Sasseville has enlisted in the army; George W. Sleeper is ill; Twin children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Rowles, Sunday morning and died in the evening; Fred Rougeau has gone to work for the Armour Beef Co. See http://www.rootsweb.com/~mamidnws/1901/NOV.html#27 for details of these and other stories. The complete run of The Concord Enterprise is available on microfilm at the Acton Memorial Library. See http://actonmemoriallibrary.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dennis Ahern | Middlesex County Massachusetts Newspaper Abstracts Acton, Massachusetts | http://www.rootsweb.com/~mamidnws/index.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

contact the concord library see: http://www.mlin.lib.ma.us/about_libraries/ldap_search.shtml Nsambradley@aol.com wrote: > I am searching for an obituary for a Mrs Bailey who died on or about Dec 15, > 2004 in Concord Ma. She had been married previously, and had lived in Essex > County(around Essex, area) > She had several children by her first marriage. I think her late > husband(1st) was named > Augustus Means(but not positive. > Any help would be greatly appreciated. Awhile ago someone sent this to me, > but I lost my e-mails with a computer problem I had awhile back too. > Thanks again > Barbara > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AFB.2ACE/1739.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Hi Don. Yes, Probate Court is only in Cambridge ! Their address is: Probate and Family Court Dept. Middlesex County Division 208 Cambridge Street P.O. Box 410480 East Cambridge, MA 02141 Perhaps if many people wrote a letter to them and all ask the same question, they might take note of our collective problem ! When I went there, I had to bring a whole collection of birth certificates and death certificates, plus a story of why I wanted the File opened, and who I was in relation to the person adopted, etc. They wanted to be "assured" that the Adopted person had passed on, and that I had a "direct" descendancy to him or her !

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AFB.2ACE/1739.1.1 Message Board Post: Hi Betty.Many thanks for your informative reply. My search is similar to the process you went through, but it looks like this is not going to be easy. I live in FL and am a bit far away to do this myself. I assume the Probate (Adoption) records are in Cambridge (not Lowell). Am I correct? Do you know if the Probate Court will accept written authorization from a third party (non-relative) to unseal adoption records? Do you have any suggestions on how to contact possible volunteers who have experience with the Middlesex County Probate Court? (The volunteer list on MAMIDDLE-L@rootsweb.com does not give me any help on the Probate records). Can you find an email (or snail mail) address for the Probate Court so I may contact them directly on procedures, etc? Appreciate your help. Don

HARRIS, Harriet "wid of Daniel" (DAKIN); 86; Dunstable MA; Concord Enterprise; 1901-11-27; dja HOSMER, L S Mr; ; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1901-1-9; dja SWEET, Anthony; ; NS>Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1911-5-3; dja PHILBRICK, Mary A "Mrs Willie W" ( ); 40; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1900-6-28; dja McGREGOR, Elizabeth "mother of John" ( ); 72; Lowell MA; Concord Enterprise; 1900-6-28; dja NICKERSON, ? "Mrs Frank H" ( ); ; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1900-6-28; dja ALLEN, Nathaniel M; 60; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1900-8-2; dja WHITCOMB, ? "Mrs Granville" ( ); ; Fitchburg MA; Concord Enterprise; 1900-8-2; dja FLAGG, Cora Dr "dau of John E" (HOSMER); ; Boston MA; Concord Enterprise; 1900-8-2; dja RODWAY, William "son of Sarah"; ; ; Concord Enterprise (MA); 1900-8-9; dja JONES, Samuel Sr; 83; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1901-2-13; dja FLETCHER, Aaron Swift; 82; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1913-2-19; dja TUCK, W J Mr; ; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1900-11-22; dja TUTTLE, Florence (DUPEE); 23; Chelsea MA; Concord Enterprise; 1890-10-10; dja TOWER, Alonzo; ; Concord MA; Concord Enterprise; 1905-3-1; dja JONES, Charles; ; Chelsea MA; Concord Enterprise; 1905-3-1; dja SAWYER, Grace "Mrs Roy L" (HAYWARD); 24; Clinton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1905-3-1; dja MOULTON, Huldah ( ); 72; Waltham MA; Concord Enterprise; 1905-3-1; dja FLETCHER, John; 89; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1905-3-1; dja CARSON, Patrick; ; CAV IRL>Concord MA; Concord Enterprise; 1905-3-1; dja COMERFORD, James; 76; IRL>Concord MA; Concord Enterprise; 1905-3-1; dja TAYLOR, Warren Varnum; 57; Wakefield MA; Concord Enterprise; 1905-3-1; dja CHAPLIN, Waldo; 86; Concord MA; Concord Enterprise; 1933-7-26; dja FORD, Isaac F; 91; Canton ME>Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1934-6-13; dja FLETCHER, Aaron Jones; 97; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1938-9-21; dja CHAPLIN, William; 87; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1927-7-13; dja WEBBER, Annie "Mrs Edward O" (GODFREY); 65; NB>Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1927-7-13; dja TODD, Rebecca "wid of Thomas" (WHEELER); ; Concord MA; Concord Enterprise; 1927-7-13; dja TUTTLE, ? "Mrs M Medora" ( ); ; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1910-5-4; dja CROOKER, Ralph; 81; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1910-5-4; dja PERKINS, Joseph B; 71; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1910-5-4; dja SPINNEY, Harry; ; Acton MA>NS; Concord Enterprise (MA); 1901-8-14; dja SWANSON, Carl; 22; Boxboro MA>Brattleboro VT; Concord Enterprise (MA); 1918-10-12; dja LITTLEFIELD, Waldo; 77; Wells ME>Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1918-10-12; dja WHITCOMB, Augustine "son of Peter"; ; Boxborough MA; Concord Enterprise; 1889-2-22; dja FORBUSH, George; 37; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1889-2-22; dja BLOOD, John; ; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1891-3-27; dja TOWNSEND, Harriet B Miss [PARKER]; 47; Jersey City Heights NJ; Concord Enterprise (MA); 1899-6-1; dja BURROUGHS, Helen I "Mrs George W" (COLE); 33; Boxborough MA; Concord Enterprise; 1901-3-6; dja JOYCE, Benjamin R; ; Concord MA; Concord Enterprise; 1899-11-23; dja HANDLEY, Lottie E Miss; ; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1900-2-1; dja CUSHING, Susie "Mrs George" (HUGGINS); ; Brookline MA; Concord Enterprise; 1899-2-23; dja JONES, George "son of Abel"; ; Boston MA; Concord Enterprise; 1899-2-23; dja MARTIN, Charles "husb of Edna Jones"; ; Boston MA; Concord Enterprise; 1899-2-23; dja RICHARDSON, James Edward; 77; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1917-2-28; dja HERN, William; 68; Stow MA; Concord Enterprise; 1915-2-10; dja WILLIS, Edward; 78; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1923-4-4; dja LAW, May E Miss "dau of William"; ; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1896-3-26; dja KNAPP, Francis W; 85; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1921-4-27; dja CLARK, Herbert T "husb of Mary Jane Kelleran"; 71; Compton QC>Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1914-9-16; dja LITTLEFIELD, Charles; ; Acton MA; Concord Enterprise; 1917-7-4; dja The complete run of The Concord Enterprise is available on microfilm at the Acton Memorial Library. See http://actonmemoriallibrary.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dennis Ahern | Middlesex County Massachusetts Newspaper Abstracts Acton, Massachusetts | http://www.rootsweb.com/~mamidnws/index.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Betty, thanks for the info. I didn't realize it would take two visits to get info. Did they also say people were limited to just five requests per day? That is what they told me when they sent my letter and check back last year. Maybe I will get back there in the fall, or perhaps I can pay a nephew to do my leg-work. At least now I know it will take two days! Thanks again Susan On 20 Feb 2006 03:34:02 -0700, bbffrrpp@comcast.net <bbffrrpp@comcast.net> wrote: > > More recently I went to Probate Court in Cambridge to request a look at a "will" from 1905. And, again, I found out it requires 2 trips to the Courthouse. That is because all "old" documents are "in storage" and you need to request them one day, and go back several days later to look at them. (Hoping that they can be found !) > > While there, I asked if researchers could request a copy of a "will," for example, by way of writing them a formal letter. They responded, "No." They just do not have the "manpower" to handle "genealogy requests." And, spending the time I did there, I saw how busy they were !

Join us in NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE 4 March 2006 – Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM (snow date 18 March 2006) New Hampshire Genealogy, History & Migrations Event at the Horse Pond Fish & Game Club of Nashua, New Hampshire Whether your ancestors migrated from southern New England or Canada through New Hampshire, you will find a wealth of resources for many migration groups over the last four centuries - in small discussion groups where you can ask questions about your specific research interests. Discussion group topics: 1. Paul J. Bunnell, FACG, UE, Author - Loyalists of New Hampshire - French/Metis Marriages 2. Tory Trails - Genealogy of Benedict Arnold 3. AncestralManor – Sharon Sergeant - Railroads of New Hampshire - New Hampshire Map Resources - New Hampshire Migrations 4. Melinde Lutz Sanborn, F.A.S.G. - Old New Hampshire Newspapers 5. TIARA (Irish Genealogy) - Before You Go To Ireland - The Irish Census Records - Intro to Irish History 6. Remick Co. Doctor Museum - History of the Museum, Tamworth 7. Jonathan D. Galli - Italian Research For Beginners - How-To Get Started in Genealogy - Cluster Genealogy 8. Gravestone Studies Assciation - New Hampshire Cemeteries 9. African American Resource Center - New Hampshire Black History Registration: Attendee Name _____________________________ Email: ____________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________ Phone ___________________ Event Cost: $15US per person. How Many Attending _________ Bag Lunch: $10US each. Ham Sandwich ____ or Chicken salad Sandwich_____ with potato chips, bottled water or soft drink, cookie. Total Event & Bag Lunch Enclosed _____________ Make checks to: Paul Bunnell, 45 Crosby St., Milford, NH 03055. Email: Bunnellloyalist@aol.com Phone: 603-672-6616. We accept PayPal, Check or Money Orders (Sorry, no credit cards) We accept Canadian checks as follows: Vendor Table $12 (Can), Attendee Fee $18 (Can), Bag Lunch $12 (Can). Hotel list can be provided. There are 3 or 4 in area priced between $50 and $100 per night. Additional details at : http://www.bunnellgenealogybooks.citymaker.com/page/page/2702556.htm DONATED RAFFLE ITEMS ===================== Paul J. Bunnell, UE New Hampshire Loyalists, Autographed Booklet " " French & Native North American Marriages, 1600-1800 Autographed Book " " 8X10 Matted Color Photo Reproduction of 1909 Phillips Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire " " 8X10 Matted Color Photo of 1905 Front Street, Exeter, New Hampshire Association of Gravestone Studies (AGS) 1 Year Membership Tory Trails T-Shirt (GOT TEA) Jonathan Galli Gift certificates for 1) Research Consultation 2) Document Retrieval. Melinde Lutz Sanborn: A Gift Basket Sharon Sergeant: Free Family History Download at AncestralManor.com African American Resource Center: Book, Black Portsmouth: Three Centuries of African-American Heritage by Mark J. Sammons and Valerie Cunningham. TIARA: Item from their store FREE NEW HAMPSHIRE TABLE Table devoted to New Hampshire Items of interest, brochures, flyers, announcements, historical sites, and miscellaneous organizations that promote New Hampshire or other areas of value to our conference. FREE INTERNET WANT-AD SERVICE TABLE All “Attendees” are eligible and invited to bring in an Historical or Genealogical question or problem and enter one paragraph of their request on the forms provided at this table. Paul Bunnell will add your query to his Internet site at a special page entitled “Conference Help Want-Ad Research Requests” and list it there free of charge for 6 months. He will report all responses to the Attendee by email or by mail. Responders will be required to furnish sources of their findings. http://www.bunnellgenealogybooks.citymaker.com/page/page/2702556.htm

Thanks to Maureen Reilly for the following: Chas. A. Manley of Henniker, NH, dies of shotgun blast, 1914 See http://www.rootsweb.com/~mamidnws/1914/MAR.html#10 funeral of Miss Nellie T. Reardon, 1933 See http://www.rootsweb.com/~mamidnws/1933/MAR.html#6 Mary Campbell, a blind woman, missing See http://www.rootsweb.com/~mamidnws/1908/NOV.html#25 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dennis Ahern | Middlesex County Massachusetts Newspaper Abstracts Acton, Massachusetts | http://www.rootsweb.com/~mamidnws/index.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Good morning, everyone. I hope you are all enjoying this President's Day as we honor not only Washington and Lincoln, as we did when I was a kid, but all the men who have served their country in its highest post. Below you will find a letter sent to me by Nancy Marsh. Please check out http://www.westhistcomm.org after reading this note. The necessary information is the first item on the page. I agree with Nancy and the Historical committee of Weston. Please make your own decision and then write to those who can help. Thank you. :-) John Slaughter In loving memory of our son, Brennan. 11/10/88-5/31/01. http://john-slaughter.rootsweb.com/Brennan.html MA-Bay-Colony & MAMiddle list moderator USGenWeb County Coordinator Essex County, MA - http://www.rootsweb.com/~maessex Middlesex County, MA - http://www.rootsweb.com/~mamiddle USGenWeb Town Coordinator Ipswich, Essex, MA - http://www.rootsweb.com/~macipswi >From: "Nancy Marsh" <n_marsh@hotmail.com> >To: mamiddlegenweb@hotmail.com >Subject: joseph livermore home weston mass >Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2006 17:09:01 +0000 > > > >Greetings, > >I have just recently become aware of my family link to the Joseph Livermore >property.  I would hate to see it torn down before we can get a chance to >visit.  It also looks like the local people are trying to preserve the >historical areas of the town. > >If you can lend any support to this effort , it would be appreciated. > >Thanks so much, > >Nancy Marsh > >Jackson, Ms > >attached email from my cousin, Jim Livermore  > > >The historic Joseph Livermore built nearly 300 years ago in Weston, MA., is >in danger of destruction from a developer that is petitioning the State for >development of the Livermore Homestead. > >Please read the attached article from the Weston Crier and email the State >your opinion.  We need to support the local efforts to save this historic >homestead which is on the National Register. You may also find information >at: > >http:www.westhistcomm.org > > > > >Representative Alice Hanlon Peisch >State House Room 26 >Boston, MA. 02133 > > >Senator Susan C. Fargo >State House Room 504 >Boston, MA. 02133 > > >Thomas R. Gleason >Executive Director >Mass Housing >One Beacon Street >Boston, MA. 02108-3110 > > >Jane Wallis Gumble >Director >Department of Housing and Community >Development >100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300 >Boston, MA. 02114 > > >William Francis Galvin >Secretary of the Commonwealth >Massachusetts Historical Commission >220 Morrissey Boulevard >Boston, MA. 02125-3314 > > >Brona Simon >Deputy Director >Massachusetts Historical Commission >220 Morrissey Boulevard >Boston, MA. 02125-3314 > > >Carl R. Nold >President and CEO >Historic New England >141 Cambridge Street >Boston, MA. 02114 > > > >James W. Igoe >President >Preservation Mass >Old City Hall >42 School Street >Boston, MA. 02108-3204 > >Wendy Nicholas >Regional Director >National Trust for Historic Preservation >Seven Faneuil Hall Marketplace >Boston, MA. 02109 > > > _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AFB.2ACE/1740.1.1 Message Board Post: Thank you for the information.

I need a kind soul to look-up two old obits in the Lowell paper of 1848 and 1881, if they go back that far. They are both buried in the Edson Cemetery. Looking for survivors and their locations. Thanks for any help available. Lilly 1) Mary Ann Brady, wife of James W., died on 21 January 1848 2) Capt. William G. Brady, died 6(?) June 1881

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Caverly Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AFB.2ACE/1739.1 Message Board Post: Hi Don. My grandmother was adopted in Melrose, MA, in 1892. About 4 years ago I went through the process of going to Probate Court in Cambridge and "requesting" that my grandmother's Adoption File be opened. I was able to do this because 100 years had passed. I found this a relatively easy process, as long as important paperwork is available to you, but it does include 2 or 3 trips to the Probate Court. I'm pretty sure that you are required to do this in person ! And, that is unfortunate for those who live in other states. More recently I went to Probate Court in Cambridge to request a look at a "will" from 1905. And, again, I found out it requires 2 trips to the Courthouse. That is because all "old" documents are "in storage" and you need to request them one day, and go back several days later to look at them. (Hoping that they can be found !) While there, I asked if researchers could request a copy of a "will," for example, by way of writing them a formal letter. They responded, "No." They just do not have the "manpower" to handle "genealogy requests." And, spending the time I did there, I saw how busy they were ! ... FYI: Perhaps if a few researchers who don't live too far from Cambridge .. wanted to go have a meeting with an Official at Cambridge Probate Court, we could discuss what genealogists need, and try to come up with a compromise .. for a way for people to get the information they need - either via a "formal letter" (slow-mail) or via "a person will to do the legwork" for the researcher. (Of course the volunteer would need reimbursements for costs.) Betty (near Lowell, MA)

I am looking for an obituary for a Mr ____Barton. I think his wifes name was Eleanor, and he may have had a sister named Helen. His 3 children were named Paul, Robert, and Margaret. He died in January of 1962. While he lived in Reading I was told he died at work, and I don't know where that was located. His funeral was in Reading MA. Sorry I don't know more information. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Barbara

Virginia Luther widow of the late George Luther(formerly of Reading MA) died in March of 2005 around Framingham area of MA. I would love to have her obituary. She and George had two daughters one of whom died in an auto accident several years ago. The other lives I think(not sure) around Framingham someplace. Thank you for any help with this. It will be greatly appreciated. Barbara

I am searching for an obituary for a Mrs Bailey who died on or about Dec 15, 2004 in Concord Ma. She had been married previously, and had lived in Essex County(around Essex, area) She had several children by her first marriage. I think her late husband(1st) was named Augustus Means(but not positive. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Awhile ago someone sent this to me, but I lost my e-mails with a computer problem I had awhile back too. Thanks again Barbara

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Wetherbee, Peterson , Angell Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AFB.2ACE/1741 Message Board Post: Several years ago I was in touch with Judith Wetherbee Peterson who was compiling a book on the ANGELL family of New England area. I am anxious to get in touch with her. Does anyone out there know her current email address or a way to contact her? Please contact me at allenchild@earthlink.net. Thank you, Elaine Child

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AFB.2ACE/1740.1 Message Board Post: Hi Sheila, It is William Street, and Magazine Street. Possibly contact the Cambridge Library and see if they have anything close to that name or Anna's or Bridget's name listed. Somethimes they have a family with different names listed. Good Luck! Carol

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: GOULIANA, IRWIN, BRADY Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AFB.2ACE/1740 Message Board Post: I found this family in Cambridge 5th ward, ED 9-38 sheet 7B but the handwritting is difficult to read. It looks like GOULIANA, John D age 32 born Greece ----- Grace, age 23, wife IRWIN, Anna, age 49, mother-in-law BRADY, Bridget, age 89, grandmother Can anyone give me advice on how else this Greek surname would be spelled ? Also what is the spelling of the street name ? It looks like it begins with a U or V and is on the page with another street spelled Magaznu ? Thanks in advance for your help.

Subject: Dates: Old and New Style Source: Caleb Butler, History of Groton, Massachusetts, Boston Press of T. R. Marvin, No. 24 Congress Street, Boston, Mass., 1848 p.vii of Preface In dates previous to 1752, there is liability to err by not noticing the difference between old and new style; and from January 1 to March 25, by a difference in commencing the year. That the reader may guard against errors in these dates, and understand how to compute and re- duce any date to our present (1848) reckoning of time, as brief an account of style, and its change from old to new, and of the difference in time of commencing the year, as the nature of the subject will permit, is here given. A tropical year is a natural division of time, being that in which the sun apparently moves from a tropic or equinox around the heavens to the same point again. A civil year consistes of a certain number of days, classed into weeks and months. If the tropical year consisted of an exact number of days, that is, if the sun returned to the tropic at precisely the same time in the day in which it left, the tropical and civil year might and would be forever the same, and the seasons would remain unmoved and fixed to the same months and days. But this is not the case. The civil year must of necessity consist of a certain number of days; but the tropical year is found to consist of about 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 50 seconds. To fix a calendar, by which the two years should coincide as nearly as possible (exactness being impossible) has been a desideratum with astronomers, mathematicians and sovereigns. The numerous abortive attempts made by different nations need not be mentioned. Julius Caesar with the aid of Sosigenes, a famous mathema- tician of his time, was the first to adopt a method nearly correct. Finding that the tropical year consists of about 365 days and 6 hours, he fixed the common year of his calendar at 365 days; and as the frac- tional part of the day, 6 hours, would in four years amount to just one day, he made every fourth year to consist of 366 days, by counting the sixth of the calends of March (Feb.24) twice, hence called Bissextile, or vulgarly Leap-year. Had 365 days, 6 hours, been exactly the amount of the tropical year, the desideratum would have been attained, and the seasons have remained fixed to the same days. As it is, it was the best arrangement of the calendar which hitherto had been made; no error therein was discovered for several centuries. It is still retained by the Russians. This is called the Julian, or Old Style, which commenced 46 years before the Christian Era, the sun being in the vernal equinox that year on the 25th of March. The names of the months in Caesar's calendar were the same as in ours, and his year began as ours, January 1. At length it was discovered, that the assumed year of 365 days, 6 hours exceeded the true tropical year by 11 minutes and 10 or 15 seconds and that thereby the vernal equinox was receding from the 25th of March at the rate of that time annually, amounting to about one day in 130 years. Again ingenuity was applied to corredt the calendar and various propositions made for the purpose, which it is unnecessary to state. Pope Gregory XIII., finding that the feast days of the church were be- ing deranged by the defect in the reckoning, undertook a reform of the Julian calendar. In the year 1583, having called to his aid the most eminent astronomers and mathemeticians of the age, and they finding that the vernal equinox, which happened on the 21st of March in the year 325, when the famous council of Nice was held, had receded to the 11th of March, he ordered ten days to be left out of the month of October in the year 1583, by counting the fifth day the fifteenth. This of course brought the equinox of the next succeeding year to the 21st of March, where it was in the year of the Nicene council, when Easter and other church festivals were arranged. To prevent the recurrence of the recession of the equinoxes in future, Gregory ordered, that three bissextile years in every four hundred thereafter, should be reduced to common years viz. 1700, 1800 and 1900, in the then next four centuries, being a deduction at the rate of one day to about 130 years, the deficiency above stated. And by this arrangement, though not perfectly exact, the civil and tropical years will not vary to the amount of a day for 5,000 years to come. This is called the Gregorian, or New Style. At length, however, prejudice and fear having ceased, or lost their power, the Parliament of Great Britian in 1751, passed an act, adopting the new style, and ordering eleven days (the year 1700 having been reckoned a bissextile, and consequently making the difference one day more than at Gregory's reform,) in the month of September, 1752, to be omitted, by calling the 3d day of that month the 14th. Hence it is evident that to any date made according to the old style, between 1582 and 1700, (1600 being bissextile, according to both reckonings) 10 days must be added to render it new style; (footnote: the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth was on the 11th of December, 1620. Ten days only should be added to make it correspond with new style. By some inadvertence the 22nd instead of the 21st has been celebrated as the anniversary of that event) and since 1700, (that being a common year with Catholics, but bissextile with Protestants) 11 days must be added. The times at which to commence the year have been numerous, and have caused more errors, than the different calendars in other respects. The equinoxes, solstices, certain festivals, and other epochs, have at different times and by different nations been the commencement of the year. Two or three of these only need to be mentioned. The Romans at one time had the year divided into ten months only, commencing with March, so that September, October, November and December had their numerical rank according to their Latin etymology. This year consisted of only 304 days, and the seasons consequently fast removed from their places. Two more months were therefore added, January at the beginning, said to be so called from two-faced Janus, one face looking back upon the old year, and the other forward to the new; and February at the close of the year, afterwards placed between January and March. The number of days in these two months, when added to the year of 304 days, did not make it equal to a tropical year, so that Julius Caesar, when he established his calendar, was under the necessity of adding 90 days to the end of one year, hence called the year of confusion, in order to reduce the seasons to their proper places. The year then commenced January 1. This commencement of the year was not universally adopted. In England, the year at one time commenced at Christmas, at another at the Annunciation, March 25 and finally it was fixed by law in the reign of Henry VIII, at the Annunciation. Historians, however adhered to the 1st of January and thus came the distinction of civil or legal year, and historical year. Hence also originated the practice of double-dating between January 1 and March 25, thus: "Feb. 11, 1731/2." the numerator of the fraction expressing the civil or legal year, and the denominator the historical. This method, if strictly observed, would have plainly indicated the true time; but in many instances we find but a single date, and then we are in doubt, unless we can compare with some other date known to have been in the same year. In general, it is supposed that a single date between Jan 1, and March 25, previous to 1752, indicates the legal year; but it is by no means certain. Another method of dating used by our Puritan ancestors occasions no little perplexity. The heathenish names given to the months, and to the days of the week, were an offence to them; so instead of them they used the ordinals, 1st, 2d, 3d, etc, both for months and days. Thus 10d. 6m. 1667 denoted August 10, 1667, as they commenced the year with March 1. In this however, it is not certain that every clerk was uniform. Some, it is thought, called January the first month, for there are instances of a double date in the year, when in the first or second month. These inconveniences and undertainties were all remedied by the act of Parliament, by which the style was reformed. By that statute the legal was made to conform to the historical year, and to the common usage of the other nations of Europe, as well as to that of their own people, whose almanacs had long before, perhaps always, commenced the year with January 1. It is much to be regretted, that when these reformations were made by authority, the commencement of the year had not been fixed at the vernal equinox, and a disposition made of the days of the months a little different from our present calendar; but a change would now be attended with very serious inconveniences, and perhaps insurmountable difficulty. The compiler will not further extend these prefatory remarks, already perhaps too prolix for propriety, by naming all, who have aided, assisted and encouraged him in the progress of his labor. They are one and all entitled to his sincere thanks and warmest gratitude for their courtesy, assistance and encouragement; and they will please to accept the expression of them in this general form. It has not been thought expedient to encumber the margins with authorities for the assertions in the text, which are not copies. Due care and caution have been taken to insert nothing for which there is not good evidence of its truth. What is stated as tradition, will be appreciated as such; and copies of records, which compose so great a proportion of the volume, cannot with propriety be contradicted. That the following pages may afford some gratification to the antiquarian and genealogist, and not be wholly destitute of interest, instruction and amusement to the general reader, is the hope and desire of the compiler. Caleb Butler Groton, January 1848. Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: IRWIN, BRADY, FORD, DONLON, MOULTON, IRWIN, NYE, TAITE. GOULIANA Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AFB.2ACE/797.2.1 Message Board Post: Hello Anne, The BRADY family - I am looking to find their roots in Ireland Thomas F. BRADY born 1853 Ireland, died 1906 Watertown, NY son of Michael BRADY and Mary ? married in 1871 to Bridget Ford born 1848 Ireland, died 1932 Watertown, NY, daughter of Thomas FORD & Bridget DONLON their children: Katherine BRADY (1872-b 1930) married Richard J. WRIGHT Mary BRADY (1873 - 1917) Nellie BRADY (1876 - 1901) Anna Theresa BRADY (1878 - ?) married 1st Herbert MOULTON daughter Grace MOULTON married John GOULIANA resided Cambridge, Middlesex, MA in 1930 census married 2nd Stephen Francis IRWIN Margaret Irene BRADY (1880 - 1932) married Rufus Earl NYE Joseph T. BRADY (1889 - 1932) married 1st Agnes Mary TAITE married 2nd Nellie ? Frances BRADY (1892 - ?) married Helen G. ?