It's 2015... Do You Know Who Your Ancestors Are?

Join us on Tuesday, January 13, 1:00 p.m. for an Introduction to Genealogy ready made for beginning genealogists as well as for those who need to brush up on their research skills. Every new year is a marker sign to thinking about family.

Topics covered include:

How to get started with family genealogy

Best genealogical research practices

Types of genealogical sources

Electronic websites available to the genealogist

Tips and tricks for getting over that “brick wall”

Collecting and preserving your family history.

Join Carol R. Whitmer, professional genealogist and active researcher on a journey to discover the past and unveil the mysteries of your family history. Carol has been doing family research for over 35 years, acts as a consulting genealogist for the Connecticut Historical Society, and is a member of both the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council. In addition, she sits on the Board of Governors of the Connecticut Society of Genealogists and is on the Board of Trustees for the CHS.

Click to sign up for this free workshop.

East Hampton (Connecticut) News: Digital Version

Say Hello to the East Hampton News Online
The East Hampton News was once a mighty print newspaper serving East Hampton, Connecticut. The paper was what we would today describe as a hyperlocal news outlet. The library and the Chatham Historical Society hold collections of the original newspapers and as you might expect, the paper copies have deteriorated and require careful handling.

An Essential Thank You to the Connecticut State Library
The library and the Connecticut State Library's (CSL) Preservation Office opened discussions about the potential to digitize the East Hampton News in summer 2013. The CSL held duplicate negatives of the East Hampton News on film: issues in 1887-1888 and issues from July 1, 1932 through Dec. 31, 1952.

With best preservation practice, technical, and logistical advice from Preservation Librarian Jane Cullinane and Gail Hurley from the iCONN office, the CSL allowed the library to borrow the duplicate negatives. Our digitization vendor, Advantage Preservation, has since then digitized the film and created a searchable database.

Using Our Database
Click here for free online access. Take advantage of the Help Button for best advice on how to craft a useful search that yields best results. If you need help, email the library or give us a call.

Special thanks to the Chatham Historical Society for supporting the project.

Witch Hunt!

Connecticut History Series:
New England's Other Witch Hunt : the Hartford Crisis of the 1660's
Everyone knows about the witch hunt at Salem in 1692. But few people know that in the years before Salem, Connecticut was New England's fiercest witch prosecutor. The first person hanged for witchcraft in New England came from Windsor, and every single person indicted for witchcraft in Connecticut in its early years was convicted and hanged.

Thursday, October 24, @ 1:00 p.m.
East Hampton Public Library Community Room

Dr. Walter Woodward

Join Dr. Walter Woodward, Connecticut State Historian, as he brings the events surrounding Hartford’s terrifying and deadly witch panic to life. Dr. Woodward will explore the context, actions, and consequences of this horrific event that occurred a generation before the Salem witch trials.

Why did people believe in witches? Why were most accused witches women? How could people be so afraid of witches’ powers that they were willing to kill their neighbors? How did the Hartford witch hunt change witchcraft prosecution in Connecticut and in New England?

You’ve always known about Salem…now learn about the rest of the story.

Sign Up to Attend
All East Hampton Public Library events are free and open to the public. For seating purposes, registration is encouraged. You may call the library at 860-267-6621 to let us know you will be attending or you may click here to register online.

Connecticut's Fall Fairs 2013 Edition : Be There!

Haddam Neck Fair and Then Some
2013's Fair Season is well underway. If local reports about July and August's fairs and this weekend's Haddam Neck Fair offer any indication, we're all in it for the long summer-to-fall-fair-haul!

Planning Ahead
Click here to download the 2013 CTAgFairs brochure which features a listing of upcoming September and October Fairs. The brochure includes a reduced rate ticket order form for 2014. Plan ahead to save some $ next year!

A Little Bit of History
Enjoy a quick look at Connecticut's agricultural fair history, courtesy of the Connecticut State Grange. If you'd like to learn more about the Grange movement in 19th-20th century America, consider reading The Grange, 1867-1967 : First Century of Service and Evolution by W. L. Robinson.

Also check out the history of the upcoming Durham Fair and Hebron Harvest Fair and keep on tracking events offered via the Brooklyn Fair, this one considered the oldest continuously active fair in the U.S. Happy fall!

Jingle Bells Rock!

Bevin Bell in the News

Matt Bevin
(Photograph by Caryn B. Davis)

If you were hustling and bustling on December 23 or are not a public radio listener, you may have missed Morning Edition's news story about East Hampton's own Bevin Bells.

Listen to a podcast of the story, courtesy of New England Public Radio.  Also read related news about Bevin Bells and Matt Bevin, courtesy of Matt's alma mater, Washington and Lee.


Surf's Up
Bevin Bros. Manufacturing
Bevin Bells on Facebook
The Last Bell Factory in America : photographs by R.J. Phil, East Hampton CT
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Online Catalog : Bevin Brothers Bell Shops ! Link added 12/31/11

CT Sings! Song of the Airline Trail

First Row, Left to Right : Alexander Link, Elijah De Siqueria Campos McLaughlin, Vanessa Naughton, Elizabeth Link, London Brazel, Lucia Petruzziello, Dante Petruzziello
Standing : Chuck E. Costa (CT State Troubadour), Mira Stanley

Last Saturday, our CT State Troubadour, Chuck E. Costa, led a workshop for our community's budding singer-songwriters.  Thinking it was "impossible" to write a song, this inventive group of kiddos proved themselves wrong and penned a song about the Airline Trail.  A rough audio of their creation will be available shortly.  In the mean time, enjoy the poetry of their original song's chorus :

It used to be a train track.
Now it's the Airline Trail.
Bikes, beasts, and feet
Go down the worn out rail.
Someday you might go there...
An adventure on the Airline Trail.  

Dinosaurs!

Dinomania!
Itching to learn more about dinosaurs and other animals that lived in their time period?  The library has plenty of the books, DVD's, and information about dinosaur events and destinations.  Here are a few of our favorites.

Books and Reading
Dinosaurs in Your Backyard by Hugh Brewster
Giant Sea Reptiles of the Dinosaur Age by Caroline Arnold
Dizzy Dinosaurs : Silly Dinosaur Poems
How Do Dinosaurs.....? series by Jane Yolen
Dinosaur Cove Series by Rex Stone
Window into the Jurassic World : Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Dinosaurs : the Most Complete, Up-to-date Encyclopedia for Dinosaur Lovers of All Ages by Dr. Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.

Also try sports-friendly, tongue-twisting, but still easy-reading titles by Lisa Wheeler : we've got basketball and hockey, plus the soccer title is on its way.

On DVD
Dinosaurs Alive
National Geographic Society: Dinosaurs and Other Creature Features
Ice Age
Sesame Street Dinosaurs
Land Before Time Series

Places to Go, Things to Do
Sea Rex, a 3-D film about marine life alive during the age of the dinosaur, is now playing at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford. Click here to learn more about the film or read a review of the film courtesy of the Smithsonian.  Keep in mind that the library offers coupons worth 20% off the price of general admission to the Science Center for up to four (4) people.

Also consider a day trip to Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, Connecticut and see real fossilized dinosaur footprints as well as participate in a variety of interactive exhibits.  Borrow a library pass and save some money!

Invention and Discovery @ your library

What's the Big Idea!

Last Wednesday, the library kicked off a four-part 'What's the Big Idea!' series of pilot programs for second and third-graders, in collaboration with the Connecticut Invention Convention. Staff member Phil Carr channelled Albert Einstein and conducted amazing 'experiments' using a low-power laser pen. Participants also searched high and low and identified many inventions used at the library.

Who's Big Idea Was It?

Identifying inventions leads us to wonder about the people who made them. Here we list a few inventors, their inventions, and a fun fact or two about the inventors when they were children. If you have any of the traits that these inventors had, you are on your way to creating your own invention via What's The Big Idea!

Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. As a child he asked his teacher many, many questions of his teacher; so much so that his teacher was amazed. Young Thomas eventually did a lot of learning at home and by going to the local library, which his parents taught him how to use.

George Eastman invented film for the camera. As a child he was a very big help to his family. As he prepared for a vacation, he bought a camera to document his travels. It was very complicated to use and carry around and he thought about how to make it better, a key trait of all inventors.

Philo Farnsworth invented television transmission. As a child he was a wonderful musician and he was interested in the topic of electricity. He even made an electronic washing machine for his family.

For information about many other inventors, enjoy our Invention and Discovery book display next time you stop by the library.

For More Information About 'What's the Big Idea!'

If your child missed the first session of this four-part series, there are a few openings for the remaining three sessions, all of which must be attended. Phone the library for info or visit our online events calendar to register.

Post by Kathleen Sands

A Woman in Business

Beatrice Fox Auerbach
A Woman in Business: The Life of Beatrice Fox Auerbach by Virginia Hale presents the success story of Hartford’s famous CEO for G. Fox & Co.

Once Beatrice Fox Auerbach (1887-1968) took over as Chief Executive in 1938, the rest, as they say, is history. Not only did Ms. Auerbach make business history as an outstanding female executive in what was then a man’s career, but in today’s world she would still be considered a legend. Her track record included support for the advancement of women and blacks, as well as a highly visible backing of arts and education in Connecticut.

In the days when department stores were just that -- departments with a wide variety of merchandise available for sale under one roof -- the high quality of customer service offered in these market stalls where customers could find just about anything contributed greatly to the reputation of this retailing family.

With its sterling reputation, G. Fox & Co. was nationally known as the largest privately-owned department store in the United States. Ms. Auerbach’s business practices resulted in well-deserved praise, and honorary degrees. A great slice of Connecticut history, this book is a real treat.

Post by Bev Simmons