Monday, January 30, 2012

Cora Ellen (Parker) Campbell Photo Found

Cora Ellen Parker - age 1
Today I received an email from someone who has rescued an old photo of Cora Ellen Parker, age 1year.  This photo was taken in the 1890's at Menard Beardsley Co. Studio in Northampton, Massachusetts.  The age of the photo and its subject, and the location of the studio, make it reasonable to conclude that the person in the photo is Cora Ellen Parker, born April 30, 1893 in Northampton, to Herbert M. and Alta Gould Parker. 

Cora married Allen Wales Campbell probably between 1915 and 1917.  Their children included Allen W. Jr, twins Warren and Wendell, and daughters, Alta and Lois.  The family lived in West Brookfield probably from the 1920's to at least the 1960's.  Warren Campbell was living in Brookfield in the 1960's.

I was able to find a family member who was interested in having the photo. It took about an hour of research and a telephone call.  What a nice way to begin the week!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

West Brookfied By-Laws 1877- Images now available

The images of the content pages of the By-Laws of West Brookfield booklet mentioned in the last post have been placed on the West Brookfield Genealogy site.  The sight may be searched without a User Account or Log In.

By-Laws of the Town of West Brookfield - 1877

Last October, while in Massachusetts visiting family, an old friend gave me an eleven page booklet, entitled By-Laws of the Town of West Brookfield: Approved June 16, 1877. The booklet was published by the town of West Brookfield, and printed by Thomas Morey in 1877.  It contains four articles.  The first deals with rules governing the Town Meeting.  The second article lists the town offices and the duties of the office holders.  Article three is "Concerning truant children and absentees from school." Penal laws and penalties are the subject of the fourth and last article.  The by-laws were approved June 16, 1877, by the Worcester County Superior Court, held at Fitchburg. 

The names of West Brookfield residents L. Fullam, Geo. H. Brown, George A. Parratt, Enos Gilbert, and Horace W. Bush are listed as the Commitee.



Cover of Booklet




Last page of booklet
Thanks to Pete Hastings of West Warren who gave me this document.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

West Brookfield Town Website has links to Annual Town Reports 2007 - 2010

West Brookfield Massachusetts: A Town for All Seasons has links to Annual Town Reports including Warrants from 2007 - 2010.  These town reports include the report of the Burial Ground Commissioners, which lists each person buried in Pine Grove Cemetery that year, and where each was from.

Links to all the various town departments and boards, and email addresses are also available on the site, along with meeting and event schedules.  This is a great resource for anyone interested in West Brookfield.