NANTUCKET, MA –The Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) has announced plans to host two research-focused workshops on house histories and genealogy this winter. Both workshops will provide the community with the opportunity to develop research techniques, as well as learn about the resources available through the NHA, the Nantucket Atheneum, Town Records offices, and more.
With the entire island a National Historic District, house history research is a common line of inquiry for new home owners, preservationists, and history aficionados alike. On January 28, the NHA is offering—in partnership with Housing Nantucket, the Museum of African American History, the Nantucket Atheneum, and the Nantucket Preservation Trust—a workshop demonstrating how to research the history of island properties. Presenters Amelia Holmes (NHA Director of Collections & Research Services), Betsy Tyler (NHA Research Fellow), and Lincoln Thurber (Atheneum Head Reference Librarian) will cover a variety of resources available to researchers, with the recently renovated 27 York Street (MAAH’s Boston–Higginbotham House) as the example research property.
Genealogical research has become a popular pastime over the past few decades, and now with an increasing number of resources available online, it is easier than ever to get started. On February 25, archivists Charmaine Bonner and Jessica Salow will lead a workshop for beginners on the basics of genealogical and archival research. They will cover primary source materials, helpful databases, and other resources available to assist you in your family research on Nantucket and beyond.
“The NHA’s Research Library works with hundreds of researchers every year, and it’s unsurprising that questions related to genealogical and house history research come up again and again. Nantucketers are lucky to have such a wealth of resources available to them. Our hope with these workshops is to provide budding researchers with the tools they need to get started,” says Amelia Holmes, NHA Director of Collections and Research Services.
The house history workshop will be held on Thursday, January 28, at 5:30pm EST and the genealogy workshop will be held on Thursday, February 25, at 5:30pm EST. Both workshops will be free to the community and held virtually via Zoom.
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Lead photo: MAAH’s Boston–Higginbotham House.