USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Springfield > History of the "Old High School" on School Street, Springfield, Massachusetts, from 1828 to 1840 : with a personal history of the teachers : also, the names of 265 pupils, with their history in part : with portraits and a sketch of the building > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8
HARVEY D. CHAPIN .- Was clerk and agent for Sargeant & Chapin (Horatio Sargeant and Chester W. Chapin), stage and steamboat proprietors, prior to the advent of railroads to Springfield, Mass. In 1849 he entered the service of the Erie Railway Company, and as conductor ran the first excursion train, which took the officials of the road from Piermont to Dunkirk, N. Y., when first opened. In 1853
36
HISTORY OF THE
he received a contract with Messrs. Callender and Barker to construct a railroad from Parkman to Tiffin, Ohio, called the Clinton Line Extension. The road was to be one hun- dred and fifty miles in length. The late William B. Brins- made, a prominent civil engineer, was the chief engineer of the road, with office at Hudson, Ohio. In 1862 Mr. Chapin was agent at Corry, Penn., for the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad Company, from Salamanca, N. Y., to Dayton, Ohio, and superintendent of two divisions on the opening of the road in 1864. In 1866 he was general freight agent of the Oil Creek Railroad Co. from Corry to Oil City. He was division superintendent of the Chesapeake & Ohio R. R. Co. in 1872, with office at Staunton, Va. In 1877 he was agent for the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railroad Company at East St. Louis, remaining until 1879, when he retired from business. He died at Springfield, Mass., August 2, 1887, in the 71st year of his age.
CHARLES W. STEARNS .- Graduated at Yale College, class of 1837. After leaving college he studied medicine at the Pennsylvania University in 1837-40. Was a sur- geon in the army. In a few years he left the army and practiced at his profession. Was a writer of considerable note ; author of "Shakespeare's Treasury." Giving up the practice of medicine, he resided in Baltimore, Md., in Newport, R. I., and in New York city. He invented the creased soles for rubber shoes and boots, and made other improvements. He died of paralysis at Longmeadow, Mass., Sept. 8, 1887, in the 70th year of his age.
MARSHALL B. BLAKE .- In 1830 went to New York as clerk for Arthur Tappan & Co., a silk dry goods jobbing house. In January, 1836, became a partner in the house of Ramsdell, Brown & Co., until 1862. Becoming interested in politics was chosen a delegate in 1860 to the Chicago Convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln for president, and was by him appointed in 1862 Collector of Internal Revenue in the city of New York, remaining in office until
1981122
MARSHALL B. BLAKE.
37
"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
1886, when he was retired from office by President Cleve- land. Mr. Blake still resides in New York.
WILLIAM B. BOND, Rogers Park, Ill .- Graduated at Amherst College in 1835. A clergyman. Studied at the Lane Theological Seminary, Cincinnati, O. Graduated at the Union Seminary, New York city, in 1839. Ordained pastor of the Congregational church in Lee, Mass. Was settled subsequently at St. Johnsbury, Vt., where he remained twelve years. Afterwards at Thorndike and New Braintree, Mass., where he held pastorates about eighteen years. In 1879 he removed to Illinois, where he still resides.
SAMUEL L. CHAPIN .- Went to sea ; was for twenty-five years captain of a sailing vessel between New York and the West Indies. Was associated for many years with the Schuyler Steamboat Co., between New York and Albany. He died in New York, Dec. 31, 1887, in the 70th year of his age.
JOEL C. BENTON .- Studied medicine under the late Dr. Horace Jacobs, at Chicopee Falls, Mass. He removed to Decatur, Illinois. During the war of the Rebellion was sutler of the 4Ist Regiment Illinois Volunteers from 1861 to 1865. After the war was a railroad contractor. He died January, 1869, aged 46.
JOHN A. EMERY .- He was a member of the class of 1843 in Harvard College, and a young man of much promise, loved by all who knew him. He died at Exeter, N. H., after a brief illness, October, 1842.
JAMES B. HATCH, Springfield, Mass .- An able and suc- cessful navigator, having followed the sea for nearly forty years ; made his first voyage in the ship "Alert" from Boston in 1831. He commanded some of the finest ships out of New York and Boston, among them being the " Barnstable," " Loo-Choo," "Horsburg," "Great Britain," " Midnight," and "Charger." In 1849 the U. S. Govern-
38
HISTORY OF THE
ment chartered the ship " Loo-Choo," in which he took a part of the 7th Regiment New York State Volunteers, Col. J. D. Stevenson commanding, to San Francisco, Cal., via Cape Horn.
GEORGE B. MORRIS, Springfield, Mass .- Graduated at Amherst College in 1837, Harvard Law School in 1840. A lawyer. Commisioner of insolvency, 1848 to 1851 ; clerk of the courts for Hampden county from 1852 until his death, July 7, 1872, at the age of 53.
EPHRAIM W. BOND, Springfield, Mass .- Graduated at Amherst College in 1841, Harvard Law School in 1845, an able lawyer and a partner with the late Erasmus D. Beach. He was a member of the common council in 1853, an alder- man in 1862 ; overseer of Charity Fund, Amherst College, from 1864 to 1878, donor of the Bond Commencement Prize, director in the Pynchon National Bank, and was president of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company from Feb., 1873, to Feb., 1886; also president of the Five Cents Savings Bank and a director in the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company.
JOHN B. STEBBINS, Springfield, Mass .- Clerk in Hart- ford, Conn., one year, until 1833, then clerk for Homer Foot & Co. until Jan. 1, 1839. He then went to New York, where he remained until August, when he returned to Springfield and entered the service of Homer Foot & Co. Became a partner in 1842 and continued until 1885, hav- ing been clerk and partner fifty-two years, and a partner forty-four years. An alderman from Ward One in 1853 ; member of the school committee from Ward Six in 1865 to 1869 and 1873. Was president of the Holyoke Water Power Company, from 1886 to Jan., 1890. A director in the City Library Association, Ludlow Manufacturing Com- pany, and the City National Bank, and the courteous president and trustee of Springfield's favorite financial institution, the Springfield Institution for Savings.
JOHN B. STEBBINS.
39
"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
CHARLES W. CHAPIN, Springfield, Mass .- Went to Illinois in 1841 and engaged in farming. In 1844 went to Philadelphia, engaged in the mercantile marine shipping there and in New York until 1852; was in the service of the Springfield Gas Light Company three years. From 1855 until 1875 he was in the coal business.
WILLIAM RICE, Springfield, Mass .- From 1841 to 1857 engaged in the work of the ministry, New England Confer- ence Methodist Episcopal Church ; 1875 to 1882, trustee of Wesleyan University ; member of the Massachusetts Board of Education ; 1873 to 1882 chaplain Hampden County House of Correction. Member of the School Com- mittee from 1865 to 1882 ; vice-president of the Five Cents Savings Bank, and the esteemed librarian of the City Library since 1861.
MOSES HAZEN WHITE, Cincinnati, Ohio .- He was first lieutenant Company C, and major of 22d Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Rebellion, was librarian of the young men's Mercantile Library, Cincinnati, O. He died May I, 1878, in his 61st year. He was the son of Col. John H. White of Lancaster, N. H.
ALFRED BOOTH .- Engaged in medical studies in Phil- adelphia in 1843-45, and in New York in 1847; practiced medicine in Norwich, Conn., in 1848, and in Springfield, 1849-50; engaged in newspaper work in 1859; advertis- ing agent for J. C. Ayer & Co., Lowell, Mass., in 1860-63 ; the same in New York in 1863. Engaged on the Union in this city in 1864 and for several years on the Home- stead. In Boston, 1876, afterwards in New York, writing and lecturing. Was instrumental in chartering Bellevue College in Boston, in 1880; chartered the Excelsior Medical College in 1882 ; was engaged on the American Agricultur- ist, New York city. In 1868 he wrote a series of articles (22 in number) of Historical Reminiscences of Springfield, which were published in a local paper. Residence, Spring- field, Mass.
40
HISTORY OF THE
CHARLES R. BUNKER .- Went to sea, made two voyages to Europe. Afterwards learned the machinist trade; was employed by Smith & Wesson for many years, by Colt's Arms Co., Hartford, Conn., four years, and by the Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine Company, Watertown, Conn., two years. Is now employed at the United States Armory.
ALBERT D. BRIGGS, Springfield, Mass .- Began business as a civil engineer; in 1839 was engaged under Major Whistler in the construction of the Western Railroad (now the Boston & Albany). He also assisted in the building of the Connecticut River Railroad ; was engaged with the late D. L. Harris in bridge building, and with John R. Smith, in 1870, was appointed railroad commissioner for Massa- chusetts ; was elected an alderman in 1864 from Ward Three, mayor of this city in 1865-67; was a member of the commission that constructed the Springfield water works, a director in the Third National Bank and the Fire and Marine Insurance Company. He died Feb. 20, 1881, aged 61.
JAMES D. BREWER, Springfield, Mass .- In 1834 was clerk for Whitney & Stoddard, Northampton, Mass. ; in 1837 was a clerk in a store in Columbus, Ohio, and from thence in New York city. He engaged in the hardware business in this city in 1839, and continued it until 1872. He was chief engineer of the fire department in 1853, director of the Agawam Canal Company, director and president of the Chicopee National Bank, director and treasurer of the Springfield Gas Light Company. He died Feb. 7, 1886, aged 66 years 9 months.
GEORGE G. CADWELL, Springfield, Mass .- For twenty years the leading merchant tailor. Was at one time a partner with the late Henry Fuller, Jr. He died April 4, 1865, aged 42.
WILLIAM STEBBINS .- Went to New York about 1840, engaged in the jewelry business ; returned to Springfield, Mass., about 1866, where he died Nov. 14, 1876, aged 56.
-
JAMES D. BREWER.
41
"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
JAMES H. OSGOOD .- Was clerk for Thompson & Co.'s Express at Springfield, Mass., afterwards was agent for the company at Worcester, Mass., from 1857 to 1863. He now resides in New York city.
ELISHA BLISS, JR., Hartford, Conn .- Was in the dry goods trade in this city and New York ; president of the American Publishing Co., Hartford, Conn. He died Sept. 28, 1880, aged 59.
HORATIO STEBBINS .- A graduate of Harvard College in 1848 ; Cambridge Theological School in 1851 ; an eminent Unitarian divine. Was pastor at Fitchburg, Mass., then at Portland, Maine, now at San Francisco, Cal.
JOHN COLTON .- Was with E. W. Clark & Co., bankers, Philadelphia, Pa., for many years. He died at Holyoke, Mass., Feb. 21, 1875, aged 54.
GEORGE F. TANNATT .- Went to California in 1849, sail- ing from Boston on the ship " Capitol." On his return settled in Bloomington, Ill. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he enlisted as first lieutenant, in the Ist Illinois Cavalry, was captain on the staff of General Prince at the battle of Cedar Mountain, Va., where he fell Aug. 9, 1862. He was taken to Alexandria, Va., where he died of his wounds Aug. 15, 1862, in the 38th year of his age. James Harding, who was on the staff of General Sterling Price of the rebel army, saw Captain Tannatt when taken prisoner in one of the battles in Missouri, and assisted him to pass through into the Union lines. He told Harding, they both meeting pleasantly, that he much preferred to see him in a different suit from the one he had on.
GEORGE L. FROST, Dodgeville, Wisconsin .- Graduated from Yale College in 1850 and Harvard Law School in 1852 ; an able lawyer ; school superintendent of the City of Min- eral Point, Wis., two years ; circuit court commissioner of Iowa county, Wis., eighteen years ; state senator two years ; editor of Mineral Point Democrat three years. He died at Madison, Wis., Feb. 15, 1879, in his 49th year.
-
42
HISTORY OF THE
ABEL CHAPIN KINGSBURY .- Followed the sea, made many voyages from New York to China and European ports. Retiring from the sea, he became an engineer on the Boston & Albany Railroad, for several years, resid- ing at Greenbush, N. Y. He died in New York city Nov. 19, 1881, aged 64 years.
WILLIAM FOSTER, JR .- A prominent and wealthy citizen of New York city. He is president of the Retsof Salt Mining Company in Livingston county, N. Y.
JOEL MILLER .- Was a member of the class of 1843 at Union College, Schenectady, N. Y. During the war of the Rebellion was enrolled at West Springfield, July, 1862, Company D, 34th Mass. Vols. ; the same month mustered in for three years as corporal at Worcester, Mass. He was mustered in as second lieutenant Co. I, Ist North Carolina colored troops in May, 1863, at New-Berne, N. C. He died August 19, 1863, at U. S. General Hospital, Folly Island, S. C., of typhoid fever, at the age of 43 years.
CHARLES O. CHAPIN, Springfield, Mass .- Was clerk for G. & C. Merriam about six years, member of the firm of Merriam, Chapin & Co., booksellers, also firm of Chapin & Bridgman ; clerk of the common council in 1854, 1856, 1857, 1858. In 1858 he formed a partnership with Henry A. Gould, when they bought the Crescent Paper Mills at Rus- sell, Mass., and engaged in the manufacture of fine writing paper. Mr. Chapin was actively engaged in the construction of the Ludlow water works in 1873-75, being one of the water commisioners ; was chairman of the board from 1873 to 1880. He was president of the Springfield & Long- meadow Railroad Company, a director in the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and in the Agawam National Bank, and trustee in the Five Cents Savings Bank. He was a member of the board of prison com- missioners. When in Boston attending a meeting of the board, held at the State House, he was suddenly stricken down, dying Oct. 28, 1882, at the age of 57.
CHARLES O. CHAPIN.
43
"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
DAVID A. WELLS, Norwich, Conn. - The eminent economist. Graduated at Williams College in 1847. In 1848 was on the editorial staff of the Springfield Republican. He suggested the idea of folding newspapers and books by machinery in connection with power printing presses. The first machine ever built was at his expense and was oper- ated under his direction in the office of the Republican. He was a member of the book publishing firm of G. P. Putnam & Co., New York, in 1857-58. He was a special pupil of Louis Agassiz, and entered the Lawrence Scien- tific School of Harvard, graduating in 1851. He was called to Washington in 1865, and was made chairman of a commission to consider the subject of raising by taxation the revenue to supply the wants of the Government. Mr. Wells is a member of several scientific societies in the United States, England, and France. He was one of the trustees of the bondholders that bought under foreclosure and sale and re-organized the Erie Railway.
HORACE T. DRAPER .- Was a member of the school during Mr. Vaille's administration. He left Springfield in May, 1842, for New York, to follow the sea. He shipped for a voyage to China, and followed the sea from that time until 1865, a period of twenty-three years, filling all posi- tions from boy to captain. He was in the United States Navy three years, during the Rebellion, and was on board the flag ship " Hartford," with Admiral Farragut, at the capture of New Orleans, April 24, 1862. He also served on several other vessels. He now resides in Philadelphia, Penn.
ISAAC G. BLISS .- Graduate of Amherst College, 1844; Andover Theological Seminary, 1844-47 ; Yale Theological Seminary, 1845-46 ; ordained at West Springfield, May 4, 1847. Missionary of the A. B. C. F. M. at Erzroom, Turkey, 1847-52 ; Agent of American Bible Society for the Levant since 1857, at Constantinople, Turkey. He died at Assiout, Egypt, January, 1889, aged 67.
44
HISTORY OF THE
RALPH W. KIRKHAM .- Born Feb. 20, 1821. Cadet at West Point, July 1, 1838, to July 1, 1842. Graduated and promoted brevet second lieutenant, 2d Infantry, July 1, 1842. In the war with Mexico was brevetted first lieutenant, Aug. 20, 1847 ; and captain, Sept. 13, 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Contreras and Churu- busco. He was wounded in the battle of Molino-del-Rey, Sept. 8, 1847. He was at the storming of Chapultepec, Sept. 13, 1847; for his gallant and meritorious conduct he was brevetted captain. He assisted in the capture of the City of Mexico, and was honorably mentioned in General Scott's dispatches. While in Mexico he was one of a party of six American officers and an Englishman who ascended to the summit of Popocatapetl. The original num- ber that set out on the expedition was about one hundred. This mountain had never been ascended since the time of Cortez, A. D. 1519. From Nov. 6, 1848, to Oct. 1, 1849, he was acting assistant adjutant-general with headquarters at St. Louis, Mo .; and was quartermaster of the 6th Infantry from Oct. 1, 1849, until Nov. 16, 1854, when he was ordered to the Pacific coast, as chief of staff and assistant quartermaster. He built adobe barracks at Fort Tejon and a military post at Walla Walla, also constructed a military road from the latter place to Fort Colville, Wash- ington Territory, and participated in the frontier Indian wars. During the civil war he served as chief quarter- master in the department of California, being commis- sioned major and made chief of staff Feb. 26, 1863. For faithful and meritorious services was made brevet lieutenant- colonel, brevet colonel, and brevet brigadier-general U. S. Army, the latter rank being conferred upon him March 13, 1865. He served as chief quartermaster of the department of California until his resignation in 1870. He was also acting chief of commissariat in 1866. Gen. Kirkham resides at Oakland, Cal. His grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary War and was wounded at the battle of Trenton, N. J., Dec. 26, 1776.
GEN. RALPH W. KIRKHAM.
45
"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
DEXTER W. WELLS .- He resided in Paducah, Ky., previous to the war of the Rebellion. He joined the Con- federate army when the war first broke out, and it is sup- posed that he was killed in one of the first battles.
GEORGE W. BLANCHARD .- Went to California in 1849 at the time of the " gold fever." He died at Hawkins Bar, Cal., January 23, 1850, aged 33. One of his relatives writes : " He was a Christian gentleman, and much beloved ; his loss was great to his father and friends."
SAMUEL BOWLES, Springfield, Mass .- The fearless and brilliant journalist. The blood of that zealous Pilgrim, Capt. Miles Standish, coursing through his veins, wrought an independence of thought and inspiration which to this day has not found its superior. In 1845 he went South for his health. On his return to Springfield the same year he encouraged his father to start the Daily Republican, which was done. In 1865 he made his noted "journey across the Continent" in company with the late Vice- President Schuyler Colfax, and Ex-Lieutenant Governor William Bross of Illinois, an interesting account of which he afterward published in a book. The Republican, under his management, became better known than any other New England newspaper, and it is conceded that he was not only a master, but a leader, of his profession, taking rank with such men as Weed, Raymond, Bennett, and Greeley. He died January 16, 1878, at the age of 53.
HENRY COMSTOCK .- Went to Illinois in 1836, and engaged in printing at Carthage. At the outbreak of the Rebellion was engaged in farming. He enlisted for three years in September, 1862, at Galesburg, Ill., in Company A, 14th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry; was dis- charged from service June, 1865, on surgeon's certificate of disability, as a sergeant of said company by promotion, by order of Major-General George H. Thomas. After his dis- charge he returned home. On recruiting his health he
46
HISTORY OF THE
went to Kansas, took up a tract of land under the home- stead act and raised cattle. In a few years sold out and removed to Arkansas. He died in 1881, aged 64.
BENJAMIN K. BLISS .- In 1834 went into a drug store in Boston, remaining until 1842, when he returned to Spring- field and formed a copartnership with the late Theodore Bliss and Edmund D. Chapin, under the firm of Bliss, Chapin & Co., engaging in the drug and grocery business. At the death of the senior partner, in 1845, he opened a drug store on his own account, also a seed and nursery business, which he carried on until 1865, when he disposed of the drug department, continuing the other branch of his business until 1867, then sold out and established himself in New York in company with his sons, firm of B. K. Bliss & Sons, and continued the business until 1885. He now resides at East Bridgewater, Mass. He was a trustee in the Five Cents Savings Bank, Springfield, Mass., and a director in Pynchon National Bank.
DANIEL PYNCHON .- Went South, was a merchant in Albany, Ga., previous to the war of the Rebellion. Return- ing to Springfield, Mass., he engaged in the grocery business with the late David K. Lee, for several years, and afterwards with Albert M. Day. He was a director in the Pynchon National Bank and a trustee in the Five Cents Savings Bank. His sad death occurred June 13, 1871, at the age of 54 years.
WILLIAM DICKINSON, Springfield, Mass .- Commenced work at the U. S. Armory December, 1843, was assistant inspector December, 1848. He was foreman and employed at the Armory from January, 1850, to June, 1854. He afterwards was foreman at the Windsor rifle factory, Wind- sor, Vt. He died very suddenly while walking in the street, falling dead on the 18th of September, 1863, at the age of 43.
EDWARD R. MAY .- Graduated at Yale College in 1838. A lawyer. Resided at Norwich, Conn .; Angola, Ind .; and St. Paul, Minn. He died Aug. 2. 1854, aged 35.
B. K. BLISS.
47
"OLD HIGH SCHOOL."
WILLIAM E. BONTECOU. - Was a clerk in a drug store in Boston, Mass., two years, and then went to New York as clerk in the same business until 1848, and thence to Springfield, Mass., in business under the firm of Bontecou & Thayer, druggists, until 1851, when he went to Buffalo, N. Y., and engaged in the patent medicine business. In 1853 he accepted a position to take charge of a wholesale drug house in Toledo, Ohio, and soon after went into a retail house as a partner, remaining there three years. Owing to the ill effects of the climate upon his health, he retired from the place and went to New York, where he was a clerk, and engaged in business until 1862. During the late war he was appointed (1862) assistant surgeon in the navy-to the gun-boat "Cayuga " five guns, Napoleon Harrison lieu- tenant-commanding, on which he served one year, engaged in blockade duty off the coast of Louisiana until he joined Admiral Farragut's fleet for the attack on New Orleans. He was on board of the "Cayuga" during the action ; she was the flag ship of Admiral Bailey, who was in command of the Second Division, which was in advance, led by the "Cayuga," in the passage of the forts and up the river. Being badly damaged the vessel was ordered to New York for repairs, and being put out of commission, he resigned his office, but was soon after appointed to the frigate "Savan- nah," on which he served six months, then resigned. He went to California in 1867, was a clerk in San Francisco, Cal., over two years. He then opened a drug store in Austin, Nevada, which he sold out, and then engaged in silver mining over a year in Nevada. He is now engaged in stock ranching, which occupation he has followed for the last twenty years. He resides at Santa Rosa, Cal.
EDWIN E. BLISS .- Graduate of Amherst College, 1837 ; Andover Theological Seminary, 1839-42 ; ordained mis- sionary, 1843 ; a missionary at Trebizond, Turkey, 1843-52; at Marsovan, 1852-56; at Constantinople, since 1856, where he now resides.
48
HISTORY OF THE
CHAUNCEY H. HUBBARD .- Graduated at Yale College in 1840. He was for two years at Yale Theological Seminary. He was pastor of the church at Stanwich, Conn., and Sand Lake, N. Y. After four years of pastoral service, owing to ill health he spent a year in Europe. On his return home he was for more than twenty years pastor of the Second Congregational Church in Bennington, Vt. He died August 22, 1876, aged 57.
FRANCIS A. BATES, Marion, Ala .- He was graduated at Wesleyan University in 1839. In 1840-41 principal of the State Academy, Russelville ; in 1841-43 he studied medicine, receiving his degree from the Louisiana Medical College, New Orleans, La., in 1843. He was a planter and a successful physician. At the opening of the Rebellion he entered the Confederate army as surgeon. He died April 23, 1889, aged 70.
SETH H. MOSELEY, New Haven, Conn .- Commenced service at the Massasoit House, Springfield, Mass., in 1843, remaining until 1859. An eminent writer, now deceased, wrote that he was the "inspiring genius " of that famous hostelry. He was away at intervals, during that time, teaching in Somers, Conn., and spending a part of one year at the South on account of ill health. He purchased in 1859 one-half interest in the Brevoort House, New York, having a successful business until his health failed, when he sold out in 1863, and went abroad, visiting Great Britain, the Continent, and the East, spending the winter in Egypt, and the spring in the Holy Land, and returning home in 1864. In 1867 he purchased the New Haven House, which with his son he still carries on. They are also associated together in the management of the rail- road restaurant in the Union station, New Haven. Mr. Moseley has struggled nearly all his life with ill health, but his indomitable will and perseverance have enabled him to reap the ample rewards which he has so deservedly won.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.