USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Great Barrington > St. James' Parish, Great Barrington, Massachusetts, 1762-1962 > Part 11
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 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
When the third church was built the building adjoining it became known as the "Old Parsonage". Originally built in 1763 by Silas Goodrich, it had become the Berkshire County jailkeeper's house; the jail extended to the south on the site of the present church. The house was used by the church as the rector's residence until it was demolished for the construc- tion of a new rectory. Part of this house is still standing in Elm Court.
This project was undertaken in 1876-7 during the tenure of Daniel G. Anderson and under the direction of a building committee comprising William H. Parks, Merit A. Bristol and Marcus E. Tobey. Built by the car- penter George H. Wheeler, it cost $3591.48. Two years later a wing was added for $894.88.
In fewer than twenty years the Rectory was deemed inadequate and in 1893, during the incumbency of Isaac S. Hartley and through the
68
initiative of the Parish Aid Society, plans were made for a new rectory by a committee comprising John A. Brewer, Frederick N. Deland, William W. Norton, Dr. Whitmell P. Small and Dr. Hartley. The old building was moved to No. 10 South Street to make way for the new, which cost $12,000 and was ready for occupancy in 1895. In 1916 a garage was built adjacent to the Rectory; it cost $325 and signalized the advent of the automobile age.
Parish House
The need for an adjunct to the church - a parish house - where its activities and organizations might have a home, as well as providing a meeting place for the Sunday School, was recognized as early as January 1887, when at a Vestry meeting it was suggested that available money be the nucleus of a building fund. But decoration of the church took prece- dence.
Before the present Rectory was built, it was suggested that the old Rectory be moved back to make way for the new, and that it be converted to a parish house. This was not considered feasible, however, and the old Rectory was sold, moved to South Street, and the money received applied to the new house.
At the end of 1899 Edward F. Searles removed the cottage and other buildings adjacent to the church on the south and deeded the land to the church in May, 1900. And in the spring of 1905 Mr. Searles offered for five years the use of the Atwood house on Bridge Street, north of his mansion, as a parish house.
After Joseph R. Lynes assumed the rectorship in June 1910, one of his first acts was to push for a parish house. Response was so enthusiastic that it was soon built and dedicated by Bishop Davies on St. James' Day, July 25, 1912. A stage was constructed later that year, as were bowling alleys in the basement, and in 1913 a Chapel was set up in the southeast room.
The parish has always considered its Parish House to be a com- munity facility and over the years many organizations have availed them- selves of it: the Boy and Girl Scouts, Thursday Morning Club, Rotary Club. Alcoholics Anonymous, Barrington Players, Capella Club, dance classes and other groups have used it, in addition to the several church organiza- tions: Parish Aid Society, Choir, Men's Club, the Sunday School, and other groups that have come and gone.
The Chapel, little used, was dismantled in 1946 and converted for the use of Mrs. Dorothy L. M. Chapin as a kindergarten and nursery school. After graduating thirteen classes, Mrs. Chapin in 1959 relinquished the school to Mrs. Roland J. Tibbetts, who continues to conduct it.
For many years the Rotary Club has met in the Parish House for luncheon served by the Parish Aid Society, now the Churchwomen of St. James'; and the ladies have held their Summer Fair and Christmas Bazaar there to raise money for the support of the parish. Several times a year, as on Shrove Tuesday, members of the parish gather for "covered dish suppers", and there the annual parish meetings are held.
In late December of 1949 the interior of the Parish House burned and by concerted effort was restored to use by January of 1951.
69
!
-
III Music in the Church
The organ in St. James' Church is but the most recent of several that have been used over the years. The first mention of such an instrument in the annals of the parish occurs in a statement that Col. Timothy Wain- wright was chosen organist on April 3, 1820, but it is not revealed whether the organ was acquired then or previously.
Wainwright was also chief of several male "choristers", who com- prised the choir of that day; and we may presume that both the organ and the choristers occupied a balcony at the rear of the church.
This first organ was moved to the second church upon its construc- tion in 1834; and although some talk was heard in 1851 about a new organ, the original instrument endured a second move into the third church in 1858. Henry T. Robbins was organist for fifty years, until May of 1901, at an annual salary of $50.
A long-hoped-for new organ was installed in the spring of 1867 and a third instrument, built by Hall and Company, New Haven, was pur- chased in 1903. It was considerably larger than its predecessors and re- quired the construction of a special loft. This organ was not fully paid for until a still newer, larger and better organ - the fourth - was given in 1918-19.
At that time, Miss Gertrude Dudley Walker, as a memorial to her parents, gave the present instrument, which was built by the Austin Organ Company. Miss Walker paid for the alteration of the church necessary to accommodate the new organ and established an endowment to main- tain it. From this fund, improvements have been built into the organ from time to time.
Until the turn of the century, wind for the playing of the organ was generated by a hand-pumped bellows, the cost of which was budgeted at $25 per year. Then, in January 1900, Eugene Robbins constructed a water-powered attachment to operate the bellows; and this in turn was superseded by an electric motor.
Early in 1902, during the rectorship of Howard M. Dumbell, the choir, which had since the founding of the church sung in a loft in the rear of the church, was vested and brought to the Chancel; and the follow- ing year, when the third organ was bought, it too was installed in the front of the church.
In recent years several organists have served St. James', as listed:
F. Maurice Mitchell
Cris H. Edgerton - 1922
Joseph Kershaw - 1923 Richard Tweedy - 1924
Harold E. Thompson - 1926-1932
Frank W. Beattie - from 1932 to the present.
Messrs. Tweedy and Thompson, particularly, presented several re- citals during their association with St. James'; and the present organist, Mr. Beattie, not only followed the custom but also conducted weekly sing- ing classes for children during several summers.
Brought to Berkshire School upon the recommendation of Dr. Lynes,
70
whose organist and choirmaster he was in Englewood, New Jersey, Mr. Beattie had long headed the music department at the School, and once a year he brings the Glee Club to St. James' to furnish music for a Sunday service. In observance of the town's Bicentennial celebration, this choir of strong male voices sang four songs by native composers at the service on May 28, 1961.
This chapter cannot be closed without special mention being made of the highly valued contributions by men and women, boys and girls, who, throughout the many years of our church's history, have served in the ca- pacity of choristers to the glory of God.
IV Sunday Schools
The first report in the Diocesan Journal relative to Sunday School at St. James' placed its size at 100 pupils in 1830, in the incumbency of Sturges Gilbert. It declined to 60 in 1835 but reached a peak of 112 in 1840 under Samuel Hassard. However, in 1839, just prior to the separation of Trinity Parish, Hassard had reported 90 pupils under 18 teachers at St. James' and 30 at the Chapel in Van Deusenville.
During the '40's and '50's, no more than 76 Sunday School pupils were reported, but in 1864 John T. Huntington wrote that 130 pupils from four Sunday Schools at Seekonk, Bung Hill, Egremont Plain and the church itself, assembled at the church on Christmas Eve to enjoy their first Christ- mas tree.
Thereafter the number of pupils hovered in the 80's and 90's and reached another peak of 111 in 1882 and 1883. The annual parish report for the year 1961 listed 60 pupils and 9 teachers.
-
71
---
Chapter 11 GIFTS AND MEMORIALS
IN addition to the substantial gifts of money and endowments men- tioned elsewhere, many memorials given over the years have beautified the church and been used in worship services and for subsidiary activities of the Parish. They are gratefully acknowledged in the following list:
1763 An acre of land deeded to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, for the first Anglican Church in Great Barrington, by John Burghardt.
1857 Blue limestone for the third church, cut and contributed by John Newton Robbins.
1858 For the new third church:
Complete set of Chancel books, by Clark W. Bryant. Marble font and Communion service, by Mrs. Judith S. Bigelow. Bishop's chair and gas fixtures for Chancel desk and pulpit, by Artemas Bigelow.
Two Chancel chairs, by Miss Cornelia Crossman.
Note: The Bishop's chair and Chancel chairs are now in the corridor of the parish house.
1876 A pair of wooden almsbasins, Easter, 1876, in memoriam Betsey M. Walker, given by Phoebe E. Walker
1885 All Saints' Day. Brass Altar Cross by Belle Whiting in memory of Lucy A. Whiting.
1885 Brass Eagle Lectern, gift of Lucy C. Whitlock, in memory of her father.
1885 1887- Low-boy in rectory, from Miss Isabelle G. A. Whiting.
1888 Chancel window above Altar, in memory of the Rev. Daniel Goodwin Anderson, by popular subscription. It represents the Ascension of Christ ( Acts I:9-10). The work of Charles F. Hoge- man of Orange, N. J., American associate of Charles Booth, of New York and London.
1888 Silver Ciborium, engraved in memory of Sarah Elizabeth Foster, October 27, 1888.
1890 Silver alms basins, in memory of Reginald U. Smith and of his wife, Katharine Drake Smith, by Mrs. Reginald U. Smith.
1899- 1900 Donation of land south of church and clearing of the site for the parish house, by Edward F. Searles.
1905 Free loan of house on Bridge Street for five years, to be used for Parish gatherings, by Edward F. Searles.
1908 Processional Cross, by Captain Cleland. First carried on Easter Day, April 19, 1908, by first crucifer, Hobart T. Robbins.
1913 Brass Missal Stand. Gift of Dr. Lynes in memory of his mother, Mary Edith Russell Lynes.
1914 Eleven oak pews for Chapel, by Mrs. F. T. Owen and Mrs. William H. Walker.
1917 Silk flag in memory of Sergeant Charles P. Champion, by his wife, Mrs. Mabel French Champion.
1919 Organ, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. William Hall Walker, by their daughter, Miss Gertrude Hall Walker. Made by the Austin Organ Co.
72
-
THE ALTAR OF ST. JAMES' CHURCH
The Altar and Reredos, 1926, are a memorial to Robert Bach- man, Jr., 22nd Rector. The Altar is of Indiana limestone and contains a stone from the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem. The Reredos, of carved wood, richly gilded and polychromed. embodies statues in full relief of John the Baptist, St. Mark. St. Peter. the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. John the Evangelist. St. Andrew, and St. Paul. The win- dow depicting the Ascension is in memory of Daniel Goodwin An- derson, 15th Rector. The central panel was made in 1888. the tico side panels added in 1924. in memory of the parents of Albert A Winant. The carved walnut Altar Rail. 1936, is in memory of Joseph Russell Lynes. D.D .. 21st Rector.
-
---
---
A CHILD IS RECEIVED INTO THE CONGREGATION OF CHRIST'S FLOCK
A baptism by the twenty-fourth Rector of St. James' Parish. Richard Mortimer- Maddox, with Mr. and Mrs. Donald Raifstanger standing by. The marble font was given to the Church in 1858, and the carved triptych representing the Crucifixion and Resurrection in 1930. In the background to the left is the polychromed walnut font cover.
1919 Bronze Honor Roll, in memory of members of the Parish who served in World War I, by George Church. Its text is on page 44. The two side panels of the Chancel window, completing the representation of Christ's Ascension, in memory of his parents by Albert A. Winant.
1924
1925 Stained glass window, in memory of his wife and of his daughter, Mrs. Lilah H. Good, by Charles L. Wetherbee. Made by G. Owen Bonawit, New York, it has an antique design and distinctive drawing that are qualities of 14th century glass. Described more fully in section on windows.
1923
1926 Hall clock in rectory, by bequest of Mrs. S. Belle Wetherbee. Pair of Silver Altar candlesticks, from the boys and girls of the Parish.
Silver Altar Cross, from anonymous donor.
Both made by the Art and Book Company, London, after a Florentine pattern.
1926 Two embroidered fair linen Altar cloths, made and given by Mrs. Harold Farquhar Hadden.
1926 Altar and Reredos, in memory of the Rev. Robert Bachman Jr., by popular subscription.
Riddels and riddel-posts, in memory of Fedelia Hunt by her son Edmund Pixley Hunt.
Both are described on page 48.
1926 Sedilia (seats) of carved walnut on Epistle side of Altar, in memory of Edmund Pixley Hunt by his wife, Mrs. Mary K. Hunt. Made by Ross & Co., East Cambridge, Mass., after drawings by Wilfred Edwards Anthony, New York.
1926 Stained glass window, in memory of Adelaide Cooper French by her daughter, Mrs. Charles P. Champion. Work of C. E. Kempe & Co., London. See section on windows.
1927 Wrought-iron candelabra, in memory of Mrs. Edith P. Savile, by her daughter, Mrs. Marius Greene.
1927
1927 Pulpit-fall of green brocade silk with embroidered cross, from Mrs. Harold Farquhar Hadden. Made by New York Altar Guild. 1927 Pulpit-fall of white brocade silk, Saint Alban pattern, with orphreys of blue velvet, in memory of Mary Anne Stuart Haw- thorne, by her sister, Miss Helen Stuart Hawthorne. Made by St. Hilda Guild, New York.
1927 Stained glass window, in memory of the members of her family who were associated with the Parish, by Mrs. Charles P. Hulbert. Work of G. Owen Bonawit, New York. See section on windows. Violet frontal for the High Altar, in memory of May C. Hamilton ( Mrs. Allan McLane Hamilton), purchased by special offerings for memorials. made annually on All Saints' Day through 1938. The braid with which the frontal is adorned was secured from an old Spanish monastery by Dr. Allan McLane Hamilton and used in his home on the Isle of Capri. A matching fringe was especially woven in England, and its colors of red and gold are those both of Spain and its patron, Saint James. Frontal made by Saint Hilda Guild, New York.
1928 Set of silver-plated bobeches with emblazoned shields for the candles on the High Altar, from Valerie Hadden ( Mrs. Harold Farquhar Hadden), each marked "Presented through the New York Altar Guild. V. H.".
1928 Bronze lamp for the organ console, from Stirling B. Thomas.
1928 Violet book-marks for the lectern, from Mrs. Mary K. Hunt.
1928 Oriental rug for the foot-pace of the Altar, from the Parish Aid and Missionary Society. ( Now in the Sacristy ).
1928 Pair of glass cruets, from the Altar Guild.
1928 Chalice Veil of linen, from Mrs. Charles P. Champion.
1928 White book-marks for the lectern. from the Altar Guild.
73
1928 Pulpit-fall of red silk with velvet and gold orphreys, and red book-marks for both lectern and missal, in memory of Alice Emma Seeley Brewer, from twenty-seven friends.
The last three items made by the St. Hilda Guild.
1928 Green book-marks for Altar Missal, by Mrs. Mabel French Champion.
1928 Lace, for use upon the Altar, from Mrs. Mabel French Cham- pion. Made in Florence, Italy.
1928 Lace, for use upon the Altar, made and presented by Mrs. Elise M. Tower.
1928 Piano for the Chapel, from funds donated by seventeen parish- ionrs to a choir committee headed by Mrs. Mary G. Owen Fox. 1929 Banner of red silk and cloth of gold, in memory of Robert S. Hawthorne, presented to the Sunday School by his sister, Miss Helen Stuart Hawthorne. It carries an elaborate embroidery of the unique device of the Ancient Order of the Knights of Saint James, Compostella. The ends of the embroidered Cross are buds, rather than blossoms, which were the insigne of squires as distinct from the older Knights. Made by the J. M. Hall Co., New York.
1929 Pall, from the Altar Guild. Made by the J. M. Hall Co.
1930 Processional Cross, in memory of Charles H. Booth and Aurinda Booth Clapp, by Miss Jennie M. Maleady. Solid silver set with stones of chalcedony and lapis lazuli and embellished with deli- cate enamel work. Staff of ebonized mahogany and silver. De- sign was taken from cross appearing in portrait of Archbishop Warham, by Hans Holbein, in the National Gallery, London. Executed by J. Wippell & Co., London.
1930 Missal-stand for High Altar, from Miss Helen S. Hawthorne. Carved walnut, made by J. Wippell & Co., Exeter and London. 1930 One hundred hymnals, from Mrs. Harold F. Hadden.
1930 Altar Missal in memory of Ralph Wainwright Pope, from his son Frank Judson Pope.
1930 Altar Missal, in memory of Mrs. Jenny Ostrom Loop, from her daughter, Mrs. John H. C. Church.
1930 Chancel prayer book, in memory of Mrs. Mildred Harper Hol- brooke, from Mr. and Mrs. John T. Harper.
1930 Chancel prayer book, in memory of George Alfred Schultze, from Mr. and Mrs. Alfred William Frederick Schultze.
1930 Pair of silver-plated vases for the Altar, marked "In memory of Kenneth Hadden, 1892-1918, by his Mother", from Mrs. Harold Farquhar Hadden.
1930 Bronze Cross on west gable of the roof of the nave, in memory of Ralph Wainwright Pope, by Frank Judson Pope and Mrs. Horace R. Wemple. Designed and made by R. Geissler, New York.
1930 Baptistry in north aisle, in memory of Isaac Hatch Rice and Jennie Mildred Rice, by Mrs. Charles Pratt Hulbert. The marble font dates from 1858; the cover is of walnut highly decorated with color and gold. On the adjacent wall, a triptych carved and painted, portrays the Crucifixion and Resurrection as symbols of baptism. Made by Irving and Casson-Davenport Co.
1930 Bronze tablet, "In loving memory of his father, George Willis Peters. December 4, 1850 - March 19, 1930", by Dr. John Dodge Peters. Made by Tiffany & Co., New York.
1931 Hymnboards. A bequest of $100 was received from Mrs. Grace E. Whiting and added to the endowment fund, in acknowledg- ment of which the Vestry designated the hymnboards a memorial to the donor.
1935 Embroidered Pall, from Mrs. Charles P. Chapman. Made by J. M. Hall Co., New York.
74
1936 Communion Rail of carved walnut, bearing small bronze plate in- scribed "In memory of Joseph Russell Lynes, D.D., Rector of Saint Jaines' Church, 1910-1919, the gift of many friends". Ac- companying this gift were kneeling cushions and a rope, of blue velour. A committee consisting of Mesdames John Dodge Peters, John H. C. Church, Edward Parsons Davis, and Denison D. Dana secured contributions from seventy-six persons and organizations. Made by Irving & Casson-Davenport Co., New York.
No date Violet set of Eucharistic Vestments and Red set of Eucharist Vestments, given by the Rev. Robert Bachman Jr.
Green set of Eucharistic Vestments, Chalice Veil and Burse, given by the Parish Aid and Missionary Society and the Men's As- sociation.
White set of Eucharistic Vestments, in memory of the Rev. Robert Bachman Jr., by Mrs. George L. Taylor, Mrs. Clark T. Durant and Miss Helen S. Hawthorne.
White Silk Chalice Veil and White Silk Burse, in memory of Adelaide Cooper French by Mrs. Charles P. Champion.
1941 Green hangings and set of Eucharistic vestments, in memory of Mrs. Helen Van Wagner Pruyn, by her son Robert J. Puryn. Of brocaded silk embellished with orphreys of silver brocatelle, the set included Chasuble, Chalice Veil, Burse, Missal Markers, Pul- pit-Fall and Lectern Book-Markers & stole and maniple.
Preaching Stole to match the above, in memory of Mary Augusta Loop, for many years secretary of the Altar Guild, by which it was given.
1941 Church Flag, given by Mrs. Edward Hugh Sothern ( Julia Mar- lowe). With the design and symbolism adopted by the General Convention of 1940, it was of silk trimmed with gold fringe and tassels and mounted upon a walnut staff, and now stands beside the pulpit.
1941 A Church Flag of bunting for exterior use, given by Mrs. Arthur R. Botham.
1941 Massive pair of solid silver vases for the Altar, given in memory of James Armstrong Renwick by his wife. Made by Tiffany & Co., New York.
1944 American Flag of silk, in memory of William Taylor Day, given by Altaraz School Associates, Inc., of which he was a board member.
1944 Sedilia on Gospel side of Altar, in memory of Harriet Callender Owen, given by her daughter, Mrs. May C. Owen Fox. Carved to correspond to those on the left of the Altar, they were made by Irving and Casson-Davenport Co., New York, from drawings by Wilfrid Edwards Anthony.
1948 Cope of white brocaded silk with hood of ruby-red velvet, from Mrs. Arthur R. Botham.
White brocaded silk chasuble with ruby-red velvet orphreys, stole and maniple, in memory of "Infant John", presented anony- mously.
. Chalice Veil and Burse of white silk brocade, in memory of Ro- bert Andrews Smith, given by Mrs. Smith.
Funeral Pall of white silk brocade with ruby-red velvet cross, de- signed by Richard Mortimer-Maddox. All of these made by J. M. Hall Co., New York.
1949 Walnut Lectern, in memory of William Taylor Day, given by Mrs. Taylor Day and their daughter Anita Day Andrews. Made by Geissler, New York.
1949 Two fair linens, from Mrs. May C. Owen Fox and Mrs. H. Grey Treadwell. Made and embroidered by J. M. Hall Co., New York.
1949 Standard or Pavement Candlesticks, in memory of Frank Douglas Denton, by his wife, Mrs. Frank D. Denton. Made by Rambusch, New York.
75
1951
Altar Missal of Red Morocco, given by Mr. and Mrs. G. Frank Lord.
1953 White Pulpit-Fall, with gold-embroidered representation of the Lamb and Staff, made and presented by Mrs. Janet Ticknor.
1954. Children's Processional Cross, in memory of Baby Pecon and Baby Philip Gulick, by Dr. and Mrs. William C. Gulick and Mr. and Mrs. Leon Peeon.
1955 Hemlock hedge and shrubs, in memory of Edward B. Dolby, given in equal part by his family and by friends' donations.
1955 Stokers for parish house boiler, given by John G. Moran and Robert K. Wheeler.
1955 Outside basement stairway in parish house, in memory of Thomas S. Ramsdell Jr.
1956 Doors of red leather between vestibule and narthex, with plate inscribed "These doors are to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Mary Storer Crane (and) John Russell Crane. Given by their son Montgomery S. Crane, Christmas 1956."
1956 Two processional lanterns, in memory of Mrs. Louise Dalzell Trader and Mrs. Alice Dalzell Anderson, given by Searles High School Class of 1906.
1957 Purple stole, given by the choir.
1958 Lights in the tower vestibule, in memory of Louise B. and John W. Stanley, given by their daughter Dorothy Stanley Crane (Mrs. Montgomery S. Crane).
1958 Altar hangings, in memory of Ellen Potter Tobey, Thomas Spen- cer Ramsdell, Thomas Potter Ramsdell, Sheldon Chalkley Collins, and Stephen Chalkley Collins, given by Mrs. Thomas S. Rams- dell and Mrs. Sheldon C. Collins.
1959 Wooden steps for Cross, in memory of Eleanor Gorham, given by the choir.
1959 Blue Kneelers and Cushions in choir stalls, in memory of John Henry Coffin Church, given by his daughter Mrs. Delano de Windt.
1960 Re-covering of pew cushions and kneelers in blue, by anonymous donor.
1960
1960 Two silver plated alms basins, in memory of Montgomery Storer Crane, by Cynthia Crane, his daughter, and John Crane, his son. Sanctuary rug on altar foot-pace, in memory of Montgomery Storer Crane, given by his wife, Dorothy Stanley Crane.
1961 Silver Baptismal Shell, given by the Rev'd Dr. and Mrs. Pierce Middleton as a thank-offering for the Baptism of their, fourth child, Mark Lewis.
1961 Two bells added to the Tower, "Miles" (1188 lbs.) and "Lydia" (705 lbs.) cast in Holland at the foundry of Petit & Fritsen Ltd. at Aarle-Rixtel and mounted and hung by the I. T. Verdin Co. of Cincinnati, given by the Misses Eleanor, Edythe, and Avis Seed in memory of their parents, Miles and Lydia Seed. New mountings and an electric bell-ringer were provided for the old bell as well.
1961 The old Tower Clock was replaced by an electrically-powered motor and new dials made by the I. T. Verdin Co. of Cincinnati. The dials are a replica of the old wooden ones, but are made of black plexiglass with anodized alumnium numerals gold-leafed. The hands of the old clock, being in good condition, were re- tained. The cost -- a little under $3,000 - was met by an anonv- mous gift.
1961
The William Miller Sperry Memorial Carillon was dedicated on Sunday, December 10. Given by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick W. Beinecke in memory of Mrs. Beinecke's father. Consisting of 49 Flemish-tuned bells, 49 harp-tuned bells, and 25 English-tuned bells, together with a Westminster Hour Strike and an auto- matic roll-player, this instrument was made by Schulmerich Carillons, Inc. of Sellersville, Pa.
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.