April 1
Surname: Goldsmith
Query submitted by: Charles Goldsmith
Primary Goals: To identify sources of specific information
Time Period:1700's or earlier
I am a descendant of Richard Goldsmith of Wenham, MA, who was granted land in 1644 at a homestead that had always been identified in the family as being on Larch Row. However, Wenham Cemetary has no Goldsmith graves. Did the family have a private burial plot? I am aware of Richard or his son Richard being struck by lightning as detailed by Increase Mather.

Bob Gillis responded on May 9, 2012: The Wenham VRs/Tan Books show only two cemeteries in Wenham, Old Cemetery and Fairfield Burying Ground.
The Chelmsford VRs found at ma-vitalrecords.org have no Goldsmith records. How far back can you reliability trace you Goldsmith line?
Search the other Essex and Middlesex town VRs and the NEHGR for any record of a Richard Goldsmith and similar names.

Answer Query cgoldsmith@cfgoldsmith.com

April 1
Surname: Goode
Query submitted by: Leslie Souve'
Primary Goals: To learn more about relatives
Time Period: 1700's or earlier
maternal grandmother Mildred Goode.cousin (aGoode)said we are related to Sarah Good(e) of Salem.Please reply w/ decendancy info if possible. There are William Goode's in family history. thanx

Answer Query picesr2lobsters@comcast.net

April 4
Surname: Averill
Query submitted by: Eunice Averill Brabec
Primary Goals: To share information, To learn more about relatives
Time Period: 1700's or earlier
I will be in your area during late July. I would like to visit the areas where the Averills lived, and I would like directions to these areas and maps or sketches of these same areas.

Response by Bob Gillis: There were Averills or variations in most Essex County towns in the VRs< 1850. At http://ma-vitalrecords.org/ find your ancestors. What information you are looking for and where you would like to visit?
A number of years ago Essex County issued a road map. I cannot find my copy to tell you who issued it.
For directions Google the towns on Google maps. Also Google the towns you are interested in and you will find lodging information. Late July is in the height of the tourist season. bob gillis

Answer Query a57graduate@astound.net

April 6
Surname: Kinney/Kinne
Query submitted by: Henry Kinney/Kinne Jr.
Primary Goals: To learn more about relatives
Time Period: 1700's or earlier
I am requesting information on ancestors Henry Jr. Kinney (or Kinne or Kenne) and spouse Priscilla Lewis, both of whom were born and resided in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts and whose families were involved in the witchcraft trials of 1692. Thank you.

Response by Bob Gillis: You can find the VRs of the Essex county towns at http://ma-vitalrecords.org.
Esther bp 16 Sep 1705 CR2
Jemima 14 Feb 1692 Ct R
Mary 5 Apr 1701 Ct R
Mehitable bp 23 Feb 1706/7 CR2
Priscilla 29 Oct 1696 Ct R
He may have been the Son of Henry and Ann, 1 May 1669 Ct R.
This is one instance where jr meant not only that he was the younger of two Henrys but that he was the son of a Henry.
I do not find the deaths or either Henry or Priscilla in Salem. Look in other towns.
For connections with the Salem Witch Trials Google Kennay, Kene, Kenney, Kenny, Kiney, Kinney and Kinney +Salem Witch Trials. bob gillis

Answer Query meezer031275@charter.net

April 10
Surname: Allen
Query submitted by: Barbara Allen-Dittman
Primary Goals: To learn more about relatives
Time Period: 1700's or earlier
The research I have done so far on John Allen;dob:02/12/1666. Manchester, Essex, Ma. dod:1737. I have some from prior, but conflicting. Appreciate any info.

Answer Query dwestmansfield@aol.com

April 12
Surname: John Smith
Query submitted by: Jackie Smith
Primary Goals: To learn more about relatives
Time Period: 1700's or earlier
I have searched all birth records online for John Smith born around 1803 in Mass. According to sons death record from Maynard Mass his father was born in Newburyport, Mass. I have been trying to connect him to John A Smith and Mary Parsons who was married in 1801,but have found nothing to prove it. Would appreiciate any help. thanks jackie

Answer Query ajstokes@hughes.net

April 15
Surname: Nightingale
Query submitted by: Kay Rudolph
Primary Goals: To share information, To learn more about relatives, To identify sources of specific information
Time Period: 1800's
Seeking information about the birth of Lemuel H. NIGHTINGALE, born ca. 1829 in Essex or Norfolk County; son of John Nightingale and Betsey HODGKINS who married in Gloucester on 16 Oct 1826. Lemuel married Mary Murphy in Rockport on 22 Jul 1852, and died in Rockport or Taunton on 2 May 1887. Lemuel was a ship captain on ships owned by PARSONS and HODGKINS in the 1870s. I'm also interested in any information about ships Lemuel captained, and about Parsons and Hodgkins. Many thanks!

Answer Query khrhome@yahoo.com

April 21
Surname: North Salem Baptist Chapel
Query submitted by: Dennis Osborn
North Salem Baptist Chapel 14. details = I am looking for anything on North Salem Baptist Chapel on Balcomb Street. Please pass this Query onto anyone that can help. Thank You, Dennis Osborn

Answer Query dosborn14@windstream.net

April 22
Surname: Hall-Pearl
Query submitted by: Bob Foster
Primary Goals: To share information, To learn more about relatives
Time Period: 1700's or earlier
HALL, Mehitable, m. John Pearl 24 May 1794, Boxford, MA (VR) which states she was Mrs. Mehitable Hall. Was she a widow? Who were her parents? Her husband John disappeared about 1800, never heard from again. She died a widow in 1830, Boxford, MA (VR)

Answer Query rfoster407@gmail.com

April 28
Surname: Preston
Query submitted by: Carol Preston
Primary Goals: To learn more about relatives, To identify sources of specific information
Time Period: 1700's or earlier
I am trying to find out with certainty who the parents were of a Roger Preston, b 1614, maybe Hadlow, Kent, England. He came to Boston in 1635 on the Elizabeth. He was listed as a tanner. He lived in/near Ipswich until about 1660, when he moved to Salem area. Some who have researched list his parents at Roger Preston and Ann Perry Preston of Up Ottery, Devon, England, but there doesn't seem to be information to substantiate that. I'd like to see if some document in Massachusetts indicates his parent's names. He was married about 1640-42 to a woman named Martha, but I don't know where they were married, maybe Boston, or Ipswich. I'd like to find her surname and parents too. Thanks so much for any advice and research!

Answer Query bcapreston@yahoo.com

April 27
Surname: Lally
Query submitted by: Cathy Schneider
Primary Goals: To share information, To learn more about relatives, To identify sources of specific information
Time Period: 1900's, 1800's
I am looking for information regarding Flora Shafer Lally married to Thomas J. Lally. Where is she buried? I have pictures of her and the family. I would love to connect with her descendants. The family was the owners of the Lally shoe store in Salem. He brother (Harry) was my great grandfather. I am having trouble getting information about their parents. I know he was born in Germany/Switzerland and that his name was Peter Capacious Shafer. Their Mom was ?Susan, who was born at ??sea. Thank you for any help.

Answer Query mcs4@cinci.rr.com

April 28
Surname: Stacy (Stacie)
Query submitted by: John Stacy
Primary Goals: To share information, To identify sources of specific information
Time Period: 1700's or earlier
I am a descendant of Simon Stacy, who arrived in Ipswich in 1637, and later moved to Salem. He and at least 2 generations operated a mill in Salem. The family was ordered not to operate the mill during a smallpox epidemic. Has the location of that mill been identified? I would like to photograph the site for my family history.

Answer Query johnstacy3@verizon.net