Previously, I
wrote about researching at Talbot's in Hingham, Massachusetts. I mentioned a
book that was recommended to me, Not All is Changed-A Life History of
Hingham. I mentioned that I had it on my list for the next time I went
to Allen County Genealogy Center.
I was
thinking I wonder how much a used copy would cost. I buy a lot of used books
for my genealogy library and this one would be a terrific addition. I checked
Better World Books, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon. I found a used copy-like new
at Amazon for $7. It said it might have a slight wear on the cover.
I
bought the used copy, and I didn't see the wear they were talking about, it is
almost pristine condition. Of course, the first thing I looked at was the
index. I looked for the surnames of Beal, Fearing, Hobart, and Hersey. All four
surnames had numerous pages of family information. I haven't even gotten to
them all.
When
I get a book like this the first thing I do is check the index. Next, I check
those pages for family information. Then I start at the beginning and read the
book. I may not read every page of the book, but I read about the early history
and the times my ancestors lived there.
Lorena
Laing Hart and Francis Russell Hart have written an excellent Hingham history
book. It concentrates on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries but also
explores Hingham's colonial history. The authors used Hingham's archives and
oral histories in their research for the book. Photographs, artwork, and maps
are included in the 1993 edition.
In
other book reviews I have shared the chapters and highlights, but this book is
509 pages plus maps. The years of the maps are 1857, 1879, 1903, and 1936. I
especially like the line drawing collage by Barbara Menzies showing the ancient
houses and buildings. The homes and buildings are numbered with a key on the
facing page showing the address, person or business name, and year.
The
book is divided into parts with chapters in each part. Part One is the early
history. Part Two is the years 1865-1896. Part Three covers the years 897-1928
and Part Four 1929-1970. Included are lists of illustrations and maps, which
are plentiful. Notes, bibliography, and an index complete the book.
This
is a comprehensive historical accounting of Hingham, Massachusetts. Quality
sources are cited. I look at the sources for further reading.
I
am thankful to Hingham Historical Society's archivist Michael Achille for
pulling Not All is Changed-A Life History of Hingham book. If you
have Hingham Massachusetts family history this is the book for you.
My early Hingham ancestors are:
John Beal and Nazareth Hobart
Caleb Beal Sr. and Elizabeth Huet
Josiah Beal and Rachel Hersey
Seth Beal and Abigail Clark
John Fearing and Margaret Hawks
James Hersey and Mary Fearing
William Hersey and Elizabeth
Edmund Hobart and second wife, Margaret Dewey
Rev. Peter Hobart and Elizabeth
John Mayo and Hannah Freeman
