Genealogy and Family Research - Agawam Public Library

Today I'm taking Old Bones Genealogy and Family Research of New England to day 1 of "Genealogy and Family Research", a course I'm conducting at the Agawam Public Library (APL) in Agawam, MA.

[Under the category of useless information, you need to know that Agawam has the first ZIP code in continental US, 01001. OK, back to genealogy.]

The Adult Programming Coordinator at APL contacted the Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society (WMGS) to find someone who could put together a genealogy program for the library. I'm a member and the Treasurer of WMGS so this one was an easy referral! They were pretty much wide open as to the content and requested 6 sessions, one per week. No problem. I have many presentations prepared for a variety of venues from single "lectures" to 3, 4, 5 and now 6 week programs. Some have been relatively small groups while others have consisted of up to 60 participants. Large groups are actually less fun than the smaller, more intimate groups. We all have fun and learn alot anyway.

The Agawam program will be quickly followed up with a 4 week program at the Wilbraham Public Library and 2 5-week programs at the Yellow House Community Center for Learning in Palmer, MA. I've been asked back to the Hitchcock Free Academy in Brimfield, MA in the fall. Ironically, one of my ancestors founded the Hitchcock Free Academy in 1849. He was a wealthy businessman who was interested in the education of the children in his home town who otherwise might not get a chance to go to school for very long. I have to tell you, though...It's no longer free!

Finally, I'll be using the program to run a fund raiser for the First Church in Ludlow which is in, well, Ludlow, MA. This will be the 4th fundraiser I've done for them. Again, I have an ancestor associated with this organization. My 4th cousin 6 times removed was the first minister there. According to the history of the congregation, they began conducting services in the homes of the membership back in 1774.

There's more, but I'll have to wait and post later...Class starts at 10 AM!

Visit www.oldbones.co

Also, I've taken to using dave@oldbones.info as so many people thought I had left of the "m" on the email address. It all has to do with what the domain cost me way back when: oldbones.com was $4500 while oldbones.co was free...