So, on 19 May 2006, I sent off to the Massachusetts State Archives to get some records for my research. They only cover up to 1916 (100+ years ago), with more recent records held by the Dept. of Public Health. I got some good results and also some intriguing gaps.
Here are records I was looking for:
Marriage of Peter Richard MacLea and Caroline MacCartney, which I have records indicating that it took place on 12 Aug 1910, in Stoughton, Mass. However, the archives were searched 1901-1915 and no records were found.
Birth of Isabel MacLea, first child of Peter and Caroline MacLea, in 1911, was found in Volume 179, pg. 246. However, because this record was later amended (probably said "Baby Girl" like my grandfather's "Baby Boy"), it must be requested from the Dept. of Public Health.
I had better luck with the other records I wanted though.
Birth record of my maternal grandfather, Norman A.B. Clement, born 19 Oct 1908 North Adams, Mass, to Manuel Clement, 1226 Pleasant, Fall River, Mass (born North Adams, Mass, and Overseer) and Augustine Berube, 1226 Pleasant, Fall River, Mass (born Canada). Record was dated 28 Jun 1909. 1908, vol 574, pg 210, no 1237.
My father's mother's mother, Mabel Eva Black, was born 5 Apr 1893, Milton, Mass, to Frederick Black (Milton, born Pembroke, Maine, and a Hostler) and Annie Pierson (Milton, born "Sweeden"). Record was dated 1893. 1893, vol 431, pg 533, no 22. Interestingly, my late grandmother had her mother as "Mabel Evelyn Black" rather than "Eva" but the birth record says Eva.
And here's one I really wanted!
- My great-great-grandfather, James Brown McLea, was widowed in 1897. He remarried Mary Hughes in 1911, I figured sometime after she arrived from Scotland at the end of July. This record verifies they were indeed married in Cambridge, 31 Aug 1911. It confirms known information about James (age, parents Peter McLea and Janet Brown, employed then as a dyer, widower, from Scotland) and Mary (nurse, from Scotland). It also includes these (new to me) pieces of information. Mary was 49, James 50 (although according to his birth record, he was actually 51). This was Mary's first marriage, and confirmed it was James' second. Importantly, Mary's parents are John Hughes and Isabella Sellers information that up until now I did not have! They resided at 4 Williams Street, Cambridge, also useful information, and were married by the Rev. John N. Short "Clergyman" 159 Chestnut Street, Cambridge. Maybe this could be used to figure out the religion of the Clergyman at some point.... Record dated 2 Sep 1911. 1911, vol 603, pg 403, no 799.
A quick search for John N. Short did find this reference. http://www.nazarene.org/archives/introduction/what_do_you.html
"The visit to Boston included time in Cambridge, where the Cambridge Church of the Nazarene donated its earliest church minutes and other records to the Nazarene Archives. The accession included photographs of the church and its founder, Rev. John N. Short, one of the key Nazarene founders in the East."
Indeed, there is more at http://wesley.nnu.edu/wesleyctr/books/0201-0300/HDM0221.PDF. For instance:
"For twenty-two years he was pastor of the Church of the Nazarene in Cambridge, Mass. He brought this group into spiritual existence. For fourteen years the group worshipped in a hall, and then under his leadership they built a beautiful edifice."
If you ever wanted to know more about John N. Short and the Nazarene movement in the U.S., it sounds like he was a mover and a shaker! Another little bit o' history added to the family story...
That's all for now!
Kyle=