A major genealogical resource is the Lamson Library of the Piscataqua Pioneers, (also known as the Lamson Papers), a collection primarily related to the history of New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts including many biographies and genealogies of specific families. This particular collection of papers is located in the Special Collections and Archives of the Dimond Library, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH. Information about genealogy and local history at the University of New Hampshire's Dimond Library and the Milne Special Collections and Archives can be found here.
The Lamson Collection consists of two distinct parts. The first is referred to as the Lamson Papers. The second part consists of the Lamson Books.
The Lamson Papers, consisting of Genealogical Papers & Newspapers & Publications, are stored under Piscataqua Pioneers Papers, 1905-1997, MC231, Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH, USA. It is under the management of Emeline Dehn, Special Collections Librarian. Contact information for the Special Collections staff can be found here.
A guide to the Piscataqua Pioneers Papers, 1905-1997, with a detailed description of the contents listing Box and Folder Numbers, is available on the Special Collections webpage (link follows). https://library.unh.edu/find/archives/collections/piscataqua-pioneers-papers
The collection is divided into four series: Series 1 & 2 are alphabetical, while Series 3 is sorted by material type and Series 4 is chronological.
Series 1 - Membership Applications
Series 2 - Piscataqua Pioneer Member created Genealogies
Series 3 - Piscataqua Member Created Booklets and Pamphlets
Series 4 - Society Information and Secretary Minutes, 1905-1997
Sections of this Collection have restrictions:
Membership applications & files (Series 1) as well as secretary's minutes (Series 4) are open only to members of the Society of Piscataqua Pioneers. A member needs to request materials 48 hours in advance and a Piscataqua Pioneers membership card. For a new card, contact the Pioneers Registrar at registrar@piscataquapioneers.org.
This collection is housed in the Library Storage Building; access requires 48 hours notice. Please contact the Special Collections staff prior to visiting the library
To view this collection in person, contact Emeline Dehn, (603) 862-2908 or Emeline.Dehn@unh.edu at least 48 hours before you plan to visit UNH. Retrieval time must be built into your request.
The Lamson Books
The Lamson Books have been integrated into the regular books in the Milne Special Collections and Archives and can be readily accessed by everyone. They have been entered in the Dimond Library online catalog and can be searched either from home or when visiting the Special Collections and Archives using the online catalog.
There are member-donated publications of interest to Piscataqua area researchers which include many town histories, many surname books, a complete set of the New Hampshire State Papers, an alphabetical listing of Flagg's Maine Revolutionary War Pensioners living in Maine and many other books too numerous to list here. Each book has a Piscataqua Pioneers Lamson Collection Bookplate.
Select this link to see a listing of the books in the collection in the University's Dimond Library online catalog. Please be patient during the database search for titles.
A printable/downloadable copy of these instructions for viewing the files and the books in the collection can be found in The Lamson Collection document (PDF) edited by Barbara Alex.
The University of New Hampshire's Dimond Library and the Milne Special Collections & Archives contain a wide variety of resources for genealogical and local history research. To assist in your research, download a copy of the brochure Genealogy and Local History at UNH.
Individuals are encouraged to contribute published and unpublished genealogies and
community histories within the Piscataqua region by emailing Curator Michael Denney, curator@piscataquapioneers.org.
info@piscataquapioneers.org
Post Office Box 1511 ~ Portsmouth NH 03802-1511
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