The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-03-10
REFERENCE ROOM
AT FREE LIBRARY
First of Series of Historical
Articles by ID. A. r.
Chapter
MANY LINEAGE AND
HISTORICAL BOOKS
Ideal Place for Genealogical and His
torical Research Fitted Up on Second
Floor = Massachusetts, Vital Stats
tics Are There.

FLOOR = Massachusetts Vital Stats
tics Are There.
The Reformer publishes herewith the
first of series of historical pen sketches
by Brattleboro chapter, Daughters of the
American Revolution, and succeeding
sketches will be printed at short inter
walls. Paper No. l was written by the
chapter historian Mrs. Grace Bailey
Dunklee, and deals with the reference
room which has been established in the
Brattleboro Free library. 1t was read
before the chapter Jan. % of this year
and is as follows:
Some OF the members of the Brattleboro
chapter, Daughters of the American Re.
volution, have long felt that Brattleboro
was tar behind the times in regard to it's
facilities in genealogical and historical re-
search, and the very fact that Brattleboro
has the largest chapter of that organi-
cation in the state Of Vermont, made it
appear rather imperative and necessary
that some movement be set on foot to
remedy this defect in so far as possible
and to educate the public and, yes, the
members of the chapter even, to a know
ledge OF its lack, and that effort appeared
plainly to be up to u.s. as the popular
phrase has it,
subsequently, a few of the lovers of
historical research, members of the chap
ter, got together and pledged themselves
to use their united efforts TO create a right
spirit in regard to this matter, both in
the chapter and among the townspeople,
and to try to raise the necessary funds if
need be, to accomplish what seemed to
these members themselves a gigantic task,
which might perhaps take years to com
plete.
But the outcome has been so swift and
far-reaching that it has really dazzled us.
The fact that so much was waiting at our
very door, to be had only for the asking,
was really startling. Someone, to whom
/ expressed this surprise, made answer
that it was really surprising how much
might be had in that way if one only
knew about it.
As you perhaps all know, it was only
last August that the chapter voted to
place our Lineage Books in the Bratleboro
Free library, provided they would be re-
ceived with proper care and given the
proper protection, in regard to loss and
usage. An effort is being made to make
our collection of these books as complete
as possible, but as some Of them are al
ready out of print | fear we. shall have to
admit that we have been too lax in this
matter in the past, for some of the num-
bers cannot be had at any price and others
are exceedingly expensive
But the fact remained that we felt the
Lineage Books demanded better housing
and members of the chapter, and patrons
of the library needed more suitable his
torical reference room than it had ever
been our good fortune to have allotted tC
us in the BratlebOro Free library
few years ago, spent several days il
research work in the public library il
Greenfield Massachusetts | found very
complete set of these Lineage Books there
together with all the Massachusetts vita
statistics. The latter contain all the pub
hshed records of births, marriages anC
deaths in the different towns of the state
from the earliest settlement up to 1850
Both sets Of these books occupied a yer!
prominent place upon the shelves of tn,
Greenfield library, in fact the genealogical
alcove was as pleasant, and easy of access
and near the reference table in the mali
Tart Of the building, as any other part o
the library
Then and there, | made a mental re
solve that If it were ever in my power t,
use my influence, however small it Nigh
be, | should do so, to bring Brattlehoro'
public library to like standing and con
venience in this respect
After some thought and much discussion
before going further, we decided to plac
the matter before our librarian, Mis-
Pratt, and she in turn would take it u
with the board of trustees of the library
of which she is member. And to on
surprise and qualifications. room was a
ready and waiting free for our use an
occupancy. And shelves were placed ther
iii only a few weeks time, also a locke
case moved in together with all tn
genealogical and historical works that tn
library now has. This room is in the me-
section recently added to the library.
is upon the second floor. exactly opposit
the Loud collection 1t is we'll heatet
we'll lighted, and especially well adapte
TO privacy and study. 1t is fitted with
revolving bookcase. study table, an
chairs and already has two large picture
of early townspeople hung upon its wal
gifts to tho library In fact it is an ide
room of its kind
Having gained so much. we were NJ
satisfied to stop there. but the rest Of oil
aim came up for consideration-how to q
the Massachusetts state vital statistic
and how the money might he raised
purchase them. which seemed. as / ha-
said before, especially in these times of
many ways and demands for money.
stupendous task One member very tim
" suggested that perhaps the state
Massachusetts would give them to us. b
that seemed almost impossible, althoui
there s fund in AIassachuetts that do
place them in every library. howev
small. i'm their own state. We even we
so far rs to ponder if it would be possil
10 ret influence to bear upon our sta
legislature to place these books in
braries of certain sire throughout o
state, with the idea thar either the D.
r.. paw certain percentage. the rest
DO made I'm by the state, or that t
Ebrarv itself paw part. or both A
right here | would say that perhaps ii
is a subject that should not be entire