- Genealogy
Genealogy
Since 1932, the Dyer Memorial Library & Archives has been the Massachusetts South Shore's research center for genealogists and family historians of every skill level.
We are able to provide researchers with access to some of the most important and valuable genealogy and local history research tools for our region. Our resources are numerous, touching on hyper-local Abington, Rockland, and Whitman information, as well as broad resources about American, Irish, English, Scottish, and some Canadian ancestry.
Researchers for generations to come will enjoy the opportunity to use the numerous resources and files to learn about family life in Old Abington and the South Shore and find their connection to Massachusetts and New England history.
Genealogy Resources
The Dyer Memorial Library is one of the premier local history and genealogy research libraries in the region. Our genealogy collection is one of the richest on the Massachusetts South Shore. The library has a vast collection of materials to help anyone doing genealogical research.
The Dyer's resources include,
- Published Vital Record books for most Massachusetts cities and towns up to 1850
- Genealogy books for Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont
- Family genealogies, Irish genealogy
- Mayflower Families and Mayflower Descendants
- New England Historic and Genealogical Registers with indexes
- The American Genealogist (TAG) volumes 1-75 and other genealogy periodicals
- Detailed cemetery information for Abington, Rockland and Whitman and also general cemetery information for Southern Massachusetts
- The Massachusetts Census for l790, 1855 and l865 are available
- The United States Census for 1850 and 1880
- Many books which to help you learn how to do all phases of genealogy
- Thousands of newspapers concerning Abington, Rockland and Whitman, MA, most predating 1970
- More than 180 printed genealogies
- Thousands of Subject Files with Abington, Rockland and Whitman primary source materials
- Hundreds of Biographical Files about people associated with Abington, Rockland and Whitman
- Subscriptions to American Ancestors and Ancestry.com
- Historic maps, photographs, and manuscripts
- City and town histories for Massachusetts and a selection of other New England states
- Abington, Rockland and Whitman town material such as yearbooks, church histories, business histories, annual reports and more
- Town Reports and other Vital Statistics for Abington, Rockland and Whitman and a small selection of other South Shore communities
- Directories for Abington, Rockland, Whitman, Brockton, Bridgewater and a small selection of other South Shore communities
- Census Information for Maine / Vermont and New Hampshire ~1790
Genealogy Collections
Our extensive genealogy collection contains the personal research papers and family pedigree charts of many Abington, Rockland, and Whitman families. (This list is not comprehensive.)
- Martha Campbell Collection - History notes, photos and programs she presented
- Martha Campbell Genealogy Notes for Old Abington Families
- Martha Campbell - Description, The Research Reporter articles with partial index.
- Anna and Clara Gurney Genealogy Notes (Whitman)
- James Hoban Genealogy Notes (Abington, former Dyer Library Trustee)
- Herbert Hunt Genealogy Notes
- Cyrus Nash Collection
- Charles James Sherman Genealogy Notes (Whitman)
- Dr. George L. Whiting Genealogy Notes (Abington, former Dyer Library Trustee)
Genealogy Research
Getting Started
When working on your genealogy, here are some tips and best practices to keep in mind:
1. Start with the known.
Begin with yourself, getting your birth certificate and other records. Then get the records of your parents, and so on, backwards.
2. Talk to family members.
Ask your relatives about your family history. Often, family members remember stories or information, or possess documents, that can help start you on your way.
3. Write everything down.
You can start with a simple notebook or a genealogy program on your computer, but you'll want to have one place where you keep all of your information.
4. Write dates in a standardized format.
Write dates as 23 Feb 1890. This will leave no question as to year, month, and day of any event.
5. Keep a research log.
You can use a pre-formatted form, a computer, or another notebook, but it's important to list every resource you have checked and the information you did and did not find.
What to Bring on a Genealogy Research Trip
Nothing is worse than arriving at the library and finding that the needed information is left at home. Focus your research plan to be prepared. Here are items to have on a to-bring list:
- All information about the family being questioned, even if it seems more than necessary.
- Laptop computer.
- Pencils, notepad, sticky notes. Bring pencils to use when accessing library materials – pens are not allowed. Please use sticky notes only on your own papers, not library items.
- Empty file folders to hold the photocopies you'll make.
- Change for the photocopy machine. Copies are 10¢ per page.
- Magnifying glass for hard-to-read manuscripts and copies.
Hire a Professional
Do you need help tracing your ancestry? The Dyer Memorial Library is pleased to recommend these Professional Genealogists who can assist you with your research goals.