Our New England Heritage: March 2017

Massachusetts Bay Seal

I decided NOT to sit here and type more names, dates and places of our Puritan forefathers today. Instead, I opted to sit back and do some reading. And then it hit me. Why not share some links to what I find to be interesting, informative and entertaining to genealogists, family historians, book worms and those simply wanting a change of pace from fiction.
I would like to begin with what probably is my favorite book in the world to read, and it is an account of a woman who suffered great tribulations during the New England puritan era. Her name is Mary Rowlandson and in her own words, read about her captivity and ultimate escape. This story, written by Mary herself, truly should be part of history classes throughout New England.

Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson.

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/851?msg=welcome_stranger

Here is a link to a webpage that came in extremely helpful as I was doing my own genealogy, and the interactions of my Yankee family with the original inhabitants of this land. It is jam-packed with the meanings of words that belong to the Maliseet and Passmamaquoddy languages, as well as many other interesting tidbits about these tribes.

Passamaquoddy-Maliseet Language

A Maliseet Woman

http://pmportal.org/about-language-keepers

Looking for what life was like in the 1600s and 1700s in New England? This link is also a great read and well worth the time.

Every day life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, by George Francis Dow

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/43970/43970-h/43970-h.htm

And last, but not least, are my favorite articles from a magazine(or several I might add) that can be found now online. I implore anyone who is researching their town or family to take a peak at all these links. All you need to do is scroll down to the third page and read the table of contents of each of these issues to see all the fascinating topics, people, places and lore that is found in each and every link. Amazing read and make sure you have plenty of time because you are going to get hooked.

The Maine Historical Magazine, 1885-1894