A recording of Using Derivative History Sources to Find Primary Sources, a workshop by John M. Barr of Old Northwest Genealogy, presented for the Portsmouth Public Library (NH) on July 18, 2024. In this talk, genealogy expert John Barr unveils the hidden power of derivative sources - history books packed with family clues! Learn how these books act as breadcrumbs, leading you to even richer records that bring your ancestors' lives to life. John shows you how to find these gems using powerful tools and proper citation techniques. Thanks to our co-sponsor, The Ranger Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)! John M. Barr is the proprietor of Old Northwest Genealogy, an Indiana-based genealogy research company. He is an active member of The Association of Professional Genealogist and has served as President of the Indiana Chapter of the APG. Find John at https://oldnorthwestgenealogy.com/.

A recording of Portsmouth's Buried History: A Who's Who of Notables Resting in Our Historic Cemeteries, a Local History Talk given by Sue Sterry. Presented for the Portsmouth Public Library (NH) on May 22, 2024. Portsmouth's past isn't confined to dusty books. It's literally underfoot! Explore our historic cemeteries, dating back to 1620, and meet the fascinating residents who helped build our city and nation. Local researcher and Cemetery Committee Co-Chair, Sue Sterry, leads us through Portsmouth’s historic cemeteries from the comfort of the library’s Levenson Room.

A recording of Before the Music Hall: A Conversation with Dr. Bill Stuart, Proprietor of The Kearsarge House. Presented for the Portsmouth Public Library (NH) on July 2, 2024. In the mid 1970s, Portsmouth was undergoing a restoration project that laid the groundwork for the historical charm the city is known for today. At that time The Kearsarge House, which now serves as the Music Hall's Members Lounge, was crumbling and the Music Hall, itself, was permanently closed. But, in 1976, Dr. Bill Stuart bought the building and led a gut renovation that restored the historic bow front to its original glory. He then opened a jazz and blues club that, for the first time, brought national touring acts to Portsmouth. As local blues musician TJ Wheeler said, "There [has] never before or after been such a club that combined live music of regional and national acts five nights a week." In this recording, Dr. Bill Stuart is joined by City of Portsmouth Director of Communications and Community Engagement, Monte Bohanan, in a spirited conversation about how The Kearsarge House, under Stuart's leadership, ushered in the era of high-quality restoration and nationally recognized musical acts for which Portsmouth is now famous.

A recording of GPS: A Tool to Help Keep Your Research on the Right Track, a workshop by Dave Robison of Old Bones Genealogy of New England, presented at the Portsmouth Public Library (NH) on June 20, 2024. Building a strong family tree relies on casting a wide net with reliable sources. That's where the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) comes in. It's a roadmap to sift through the information overload, ensuring you build a tree based on evidence, not guesswork. In this talk, Dave walks us through the core tenets of the GPS. By following a few simple elements, you can become a master researcher, efficiently uncovering your family's true story, one record at a time. Thanks to our co-sponsor, The Ranger Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)! Dave Robison has served on the boards of several genealogical societies, most notably as chairman of the New England Regional Genealogical Society (NERGC) and president of Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society. He can be found at Old Bones Genealogy of New England https://oldbones.co/.