Hello, A genealogy-friend has e-mailed me and asked about "almshouse records" which might exist in Newburyport. I tried to find a web site for the Newburyport Historical Society and have not yet been successful. While I writing back to this lady, I remembered the "Essex Society of Genealogists." I went to that web site and discovered they have a speaker coming up in December, and another one coming up in February - which some researchers might be interested in attending. The members meet in Lynnfield. http://www.esog.org/ My genealogy-friend would like to know if "almshouse records" from 1900-1905 exist. Her grandmother was born in a "private" almshouse in Newburyport in 1901, possibly to an unwed mother. She's looking for the name of the birth-father which is not mentioned in other records she has obtained. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newburyport,_Massachusetts I'm not finding a site for the City of Newburyport, but I was just browsing at this site and spotted what I needed: http://www.newburyportchamber.org/history.shtml http://www.newburyhist.com/ Also, I believe I wrote a slow-mail letter to the Marblehead Historical Society at least 2 years ago, and there was never a response of any kind. http://www.marbleheadmuseum.org/ It's too late to mention their "museum open house," but they do have "exhibits" to consider: http://www.marbleheadmuseum.org/Calendar_4.htm .. Are there other meetings or speakers going on this month, or coming up in January which you'd like to mention on the NewEngland-Societies List? I only get to visit "Cape Ann" a few times a year, and almost never in December. But, it must be a nice place to visit during the Holidays ! http://www.cape-ann.com/history.html Oops. I just remembered that Marblehead is south of Cape Ann and Newburyport is north of Cape Ann. Still - nice towns to visit. * Betty (near Lowell, MA) * However, I attended a funeral in Marblehead 2 months ago, and I enjoyed "getting lost" in the town, but I didn't enjoy - trying to get there ! :o) And, if you live in New England, please be careful if you go out to drive today !! It was about one year ago when we had a terrible "ICE Storm" in New England. But, they are saying this morning my area will probably have rain later in the day.