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The Life From The Roots blog topics have changed several times since I began this blog in 2009. I initially wrote only about the family history I had been working on for 20 years. Years later, I was into visiting gardens, historical homes, churches, libraries that had genealogical collections, historical societies, war memorials, and travel/tourism places. I also enjoy posting autographs and photos of famous people I've met or have seen.

Along with my New England roots, other areas include New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Please check out the labels on the right side for topics (please note, they need work). Below the labels and pageviews is a listing of my top nine posts, according to Google. Four of them pertain to Lowell, MA. These posts change often because they are based on what people are reading.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Massachusetts State Library, Boston, Massachusetts

Massachusetts State Library, Boston, Massachusetts


A state library visit sounded like the perfect thing to see on one of my trips to Boston. There was little information about the State Library of Massachusetts online, so I didn't know what to expect but was ready for an adventure, which began the second I walked in the main door. Security was waiting for all visitors, and after I and my items were scanned, I was pulled aside and asked to open my pocketbook. Yikes, I had forgotten I had a Swiss army knife, what was going to happen to me? Not to worry, I signed a paper and would get it back when I left.

I found my way to the 3rd-floor library, went in, and not a person was to be seen. I couldn't wait to check out the "historical information for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its cities and towns." Before I had a conversation with the seasoned librarian, I took these photos.






WIFE    "Husband has no right to beat"
 As you can see, there wasn't a person in the library, no genealogy books and I didn't see the librarian until I was ready to leave. Since I had questions, I fired away. Were there any genealogy books? Yes, but since they had closed stacks, she showed me a little booklet listing their major holdings, (I could request and she would go get). Anything more specific would have to be found through their card catalog (photo above). Shocked, I asked if everything was also listed online. "No, not yet, it is a money issue, however they are working on it." I got the impression it was something really in the works. They did however, have four computers, lots of room, and several aisles of books, this is mainly a law library.

The stacked books are on four floors, located behind the librarian (see first photo). According to her, there is a Special Collection on a lower level, however their webpage, with all their links just took me to 403 Forbidden quite a few times. Some links do work, and might be of use to you, see below. The next time I go, I'll check out the Special Collection Department in Room 55.



Items in our Special Collections: