Free genealogy consultations with a professional genealogist 2 afternoons a month at the Holyoke History Room. Next date: Wednesday, April 10, 2:00-4:00 Hillary Schau brings 20 years of experience and special expertise in organizing your records and using RootsMagic family tree software. Drop in for help or just for the fun of sharing stories and brick walls with fellow family history researchers.  Use the Library's free access to Ancestry Library Edition from our computers or yours.  History Room resources and staff are also available at this time for family or local history research. Information: (413) 420-8107

Tuesday, April 2nd, 4:00-6:00. with Iris Alicea Flores Wednesday, April 10th,  2:00-4:00, with Hillary Schau Whether you are a beginner or experienced, our free genealogy drop-ins offer community, expert advice, and assisted access to History Room resources two afternoons per month. Info:  (413)  420-8107

Considered by many to be the greatest American architect of the 19th century, Henry Hobson Richardson and his firm were commissioned to design more than two dozen railroad stations, many along the east-west line of the Boston & Albany Railroad. Only one, his 1885 Holyoke Passenger Station, was completed in his lifetime on the north-south line between New York and Montreal (the Connecticut River Railroad). When rail passenger service to Holyoke was abandoned nearly 80 years later, the station was altered into automobile parts and machine shops. It sat empty for decades until local businessman David White bought the building […]

Our series of twice-monthly genealogy programs at the Holyoke History Room continues:  Wednesday, March 13, from 2:00-4:00, professional genealogist Hillary Schau will be here to help you get started, get organized, or--for those well into the genealogical journey--tackle thorny research issues. No pre-registration required. Just sign in when you arrive. History Room staff is always available to help with research during Reading Room open hours, but our guest genealogists can help you dig deeper!

Many Latinos and Latinas hit early brick walls in their family history research because they are not familiar with Family Search online records. Church Records, Census Records, Notarial Records, Immigration & Travel records can be found, but you need to know where to look. Iris will help participants learn to navigate FamilySearch and discover what they can find out about their ancestors. Pre-register by calling the History Room at (413) 420-8107. Irisneri Alicea Flores began researching her family history 11 years ago and is now a professional genealogist and the author of the Descubre Tu Historia blog. She is committed […]

Our free drop-in sessions with professional genealogists let you get started, get restarted, or look for avenues through brick walls with the help of an expert.  Hillary Schau (February 14) is a born problem-solver with a past career in engineering and teaching and regular presenter and genealogy consultant. While help is available whenever the History Room is open, Hillary can help you dig deeper. She is also an expert on organizing records.  Sign in for a spot when you arrive. The History Room's books, directories, maps, and historical collections will also all be available.

Join us in honor of Black History Month, to discuss the Importance of the Civil Rights Movement, Then and Now. We will be viewing the film, “Eyes on the Prize II” by Sam Pollard with a discussion facilitated by Professor Heather Z. Caldwell, Associate Professor at Westfield State University. This event is presented by the Consortium’s Anti-Oppression Committee (A.O.C.). For more information, please visit our website at: http://www.wmtcinfo.org. Please register for this free, hybrid event.

Free drop-in genealogy consultations with Irisneri Alicea Flores: While help with research is available whenever the History Room is open, our twice-monthly free drop-in consultations give you a chance to dig deeper into family history and get personalized advice from experienced, professional genealogists. Iris has extensive experience with Family Search and special expertise in records from Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and South and Central America.  Irisneri is author of the Descubre Tu Historia blog and a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the National Genealogical Society, and the Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Genealogia. She is committed to empowering individuals by helping them […]

Organizing your Genealogy - A Workshop with Hillary Schau. Family history researchers often accumulate a mountain of paper and numerous digital files. Professional genealogist Hillary Schau comes to the rescue with this 75-minute workshop on tips and tricks for getting and staying organized as you pursue your genealogical journey. A 30-minute Q&A follows the presentation. This is a chance to make good on your New Year’s resolution to get organized! In the Computer Classroom.  Seats are limited, so please pre-register by calling the History Room at (413) 420-8107. Limited to 12 participants.

Free genealogy drop-in consultations with professional genealogist Irisneri Alicia Flores.  Ms. Alicea Flores can help with general research and is also an expert in Puerto Rican, Caribbean, and South and Central American sources. She has a Certificate in Genealogy Research from Boston University and is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the National Genealogical Society, and the Sociedad Puertorriquena de Genealogia.  No pre-registration needed! Consultas gratuitas de genealogía con la genealogista profesional Irisneri Alicia Flores.  La Sra. Alicia Flores puede ayudar con la investigación general y también es experta en fuentes puertorriqueñas, caribeñas y de América Central y del Sur. […]

The elegant building at 159 Chestnut turns 155 years old in 2023.  It was once the home of James Newton of the entrepreneurial Newton brothers and later the Holyoke Club.  It is currently the Holyoke Day Nursery. Come learn about the biography and residents of one of Holyoke’s oldest homes in the History Room's second annual “House through Time” presentation by local historian Robert Comeau. In the Holyoke Public Community Room.  Free and open to the public.

Drop in Wednesday, November 15, to get help from professional genealogist Hillary Schau.  Hillary has years of experience helping people research their family histories and organize their research.  Hillary will be offering genealogy help, or a workshop, monthly at the History Room on November 15, December 13, January 10, February 14, March 13, April 10, and May 15.