If you are still wondering how to begin your genealogical  quest, Marcia I. Melnyk's handout "Genealogical Research- Laying a Solid Foundation" is available at the reference desk. Filled with information on the necessary basic forms (pedigree charts, family group and research log sheets, where to start, what kinds of records are kept at the town level versus county or federal level, and research tips to keep your information organized), this handout is a good place to start.

The Athenaeum offers Ancestry Plus  - a library version of Ancestry.com. This genealogical database provides access to over 1.7 billion names in more than 4,000 databases including the U.S. Federal Census 1790-1930, military, birth, marriage & death records.

The library also has the vital records and histories of many Massachusetts towns, local newspapers dating back to 1800, records of soldiers in the Revolutionary through the World Wars, as well as family biographies, and the New England Historical and Genealogical Register.  From your home computers, you can also access the U.S. Census at www.census.gov/ or Cyndi's List which has 195,350 links to genealogy sites on the Internet at www.Cyndislist.com. 

The Athenaeum Book Forum is forming on October 28 at 7 pm. Aimed at reading and discussing provocative non-fiction and fiction, discussions will be led by various guest facilitators.  Athenaeum Director Chris Lindquist and Rev. Steve Harvester will lead the first discussion  with the Pulitzer Prize winner Empire Falls by Richard Russo, a book about a small mill town without a mill.
Copies are available at the circulation desk.
Time will be spent on choosing books to be read for the coming  year also, so bring your suggestions. Meetings will be held in the Elizabeth Reed room. To register call 568-7833.

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