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Archiver > MAESSEX > 2001-04 > 0986913118


From: "AnnaLeigh R. Bell" <>
Subject: Fw: [MAESSEX] Fw: Missing Info at the Archives
Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 10:31:58 -0400



----- Original Message -----
From: John E. Davis <>
To: AnnaLeigh R. Bell <>
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2001 2:08 PM
Subject: Re: [MAESSEX] Fw: Missing Info at the Archives


> I also recently visited the Boston area, and the Massachusetts archives to
> search for records. While I checked the birth, marriage, and death
indexes
> (and related microfilm copies of the Massachusetts registers), I also
> visited the town courthouses to view the actual record books. Did you
> happen to visit the Danvers Town Hall to see if the Town Clerk had a
> register of births? You might try calling them to see if a register is
> available.
>
> J. Davis
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "AnnaLeigh R. Bell" <>
> To: <>
> Sent: Monday, April 09, 2001 1:07 PM
> Subject: [MAESSEX] Fw: Missing Info at the Archives
>
>
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Bruce Howell <>
> > To: <>
> > Sent: Monday, April 09, 2001 12:02 PM
> > Subject: Missing Info at the Archives
> >
> >
> > > Dear Listers,
> > >
> > > I recently traveled to Boston and visited the MA Archives to research
my
> > HOWELL family line from Danvers. It was a very productive visit with
two
> > exceptions. I hope someone can help me understand the two exceptions I
> > encountered and point me towards a proper conclusion.
> > >
> > > First, James Francis Howell could not be found in the Archives record
of
> > births. However, at the library, I found the following in Vital Records
> of
> > Danvers Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849, Vol I, Births, Page
> 181:
> > >
> > > Howell, James Francis, s.Thomas Gothen and Ann (Lanegan), Jan 25,
> > 1849.
> > >
> > > The IGI Record for James at the FHC also lists the above data. Why
> > couldn't I find his birth record at the Archives? Sorry if this is a
dumb
> > question and the answer is obvious.
> > >
> > > Second, I was unable to find any record of the birth of my
grandfather,
> > Frank Joseph Howell, b. 3 Aug 1878, Danvers, MA. Both his marriage and
> > death certificates list his place of birth as Danvers, MA. Again, I
don't
> > understand why I couldn't find his record.
> > >
> > > In discussing these exceptions with the staff at the Archives, they
> > offered the following possible explanations:
> > > 1. Check un-named birth records which appear at the beginning of each
> > surname recorded. No luck.
> > > 2. Check surname variations in spelling. No luck
> > > 3. Trace mother's family as she may have gone "home" to have her
baby.
> > Home may be outside MA. As regards Frank Joseph Howell, my g
grandmother
> > was Nellie McSwiggin, d. of Frank and Honora, who m. Stephen A Howell,
11
> > Oct 1877. Their marriage record indicates that both of them were born
in
> > Danvers. However, I could not find any data on Frank and Honora
McSwiggin
> > so this may still be a possibility. I will keep looking.
> > >
> > > Has anyone else had this sort of problem? Did you find a solution?
Do
> > any other possible explanations come to mind?
> > >
> > > Thanks for any feedback.
> > >
> > > Bruce
> >

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