From April 19, 1775 to March 17, 1776, Boston was under siege. The Continental Army and over 15,000 militia men from all over New England formed a line from Chelsea to Roxbury that cut off access by land. A British blockade in Boston Harbor cut off access by sea.
King’s Chapel & King’s Chapel Burying Ground
Located on Tremont Street, King’s Chapel and King’s Chapel Burying Ground are two of the oldest sites you’ll see on the Freedom Trail. But did you know that they are not actually affiliated with each other? Read on to learn more!
Joseph A. Langone: Undertaker and Community Leader
Joseph A. “Joe” Langone was born Giuseppe Antonio Langone in Marsico Nuovo, located in Southern Italy, in 1866. He immigrated to Boston as a child in 1875 where he and his family settled in the North End. Langone worked various jobs as a young man, and by 1897 he was operating his own business as an undertaker.
After Bunker Hill
About nine months after the Battle of Bunker Hill, British military forces were finally persuaded to leave Boston by the installation of cannons on Dorchester Heights in what is now South Boston. Thus ended the Siege of Boston and years of British occupation. But what happened in those months between Bunker Hill and the evacuation…
Genealogy: Using Historic Immigration Records to Research Your Ancestors
The United States is a country built by immigrants. The beginning of European settlement in what is now the U.S. also marked the beginning of immigration here. The origins of these immigrants have changed over time, from English to Irish to German to Chinese to Eastern European to Italian to Asian to Hispanic. Many came…
Before Bunker Hill
We’ve all heard of the Battle of Bunker Hill, but what about the battles that happened before it? Below, you’ll learn about the three lesser-known battles that took place before Bunker Hill. Skirmish at Grape Island When: May 21, 1775 Where: Grape Island, located in Hingham Bay off the coast of Weymouth Casualties: None…
Researching Your African American Ancestors
The names of enslaved people in the United States were rarely recorded. This can make researching your African American ancestors hard. It is not impossible though because there are many resources available to help you in your search at the BPL and beyond. Books at the BPL General Guides Specific Locations Misc. Topics Census Records…
A Witch in the Family: Salem Witch Trial Descendants
People involved with the Salem Witch Trials have many descendants. Some have more than once accused witch in their family tree. Below is an overview of some of the resources available to research accused Salem witches, and a look at just a few of the people involved and their more well-known descendants. Online Resources Associated…
Genealogy Databases You Can Use From Home
The Boston Public Library (BPL) offers access to several databases you can use to research your family history. Below is an overview of the ones you can use from home, including some tips on how to get the most out of them. How to Access the Databases You can access these databases from home using…
Using Newspapers to Research Your Ancestors: Beyond Obituaries
Many family history researchers know how useful obituaries published in newspapers can be. But did you know there are a lot of other things in newspapers that can help with your research? Below we will cover a few of the newspaper items that can also have information about your relatives. Business If your ancestor owned…
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