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GPL Historical Room

The GPL Historical Room houses many books of historical and genealogical interest. The Historical Room is open to the public on Wednesday mornings, from 10 to noon, and also by appointment. A staff member will be available to assist you with your research.

During all other library hours, please ask for assistance at the Reference Desk.

All of the books (bound volumes) in the Historical Room are cataloged, and can be found by searching our online catalog.

You may email us specific questions relating to Groton history or the genealogy of Groton families. The library staff will answer your question as time permits. Send your inquiries to info@gpl.org.


New England Historic Genealogical Society

 

 

 

 

Annotated Bibliography of Groton History

The following books are available in our circulating collection, and may be borrowed. Check the catalog for availability. This is only a small selection of the many resources we have pertaining to Groton history -
please ask a librarian for help finding additional material.

  • Vital Records of Groton. Salem: Essex Institute, 1927. 929.3 GRO

Two volumes of town records until 1848: V.1 births, v. 2 marriages and deaths. The beginning of both volumes lists dates on which portions of Groton were annexed by other towns, and the population of Groton at various periods from 1765 until 1920. These are the volumes to use to start a Groton genealogy search.  

  • Tercentenary 1655-1955, Groton, Massachusetts. 974.44 TER

Booklet published by the Tercentenary Committee for the three hundredth anniversary of the town includes a timeline and a history of the town, schools, churches and organizations. This is a good source for anyone who is interested in a brief Groton history. 

  • May, Virginia A. A Plantation Called Petapawag: Some Notes on the History of Groton, Massachusetts (Groton Plantation on spine) Groton Historical Society, 1976. 974.44 MAY

Notes on Groton history written by May (the Curator of the Boutwell House from 1945 until her death in 1970) were compiled by members of the Historical Society. Includes a timeline from the town founding in 1655 until 1969, as well as maps of early land grants, trails and roads.

  • May, Virginia A. Groton Houses: Some Notes on the History of Old Homesteads in Groton, Massachusetts. Groton Historical Society, 1978. 974.44 MAY

Second volume of writing of May profiles many of the older houses in Groton, and includes photos and a section on the Groton Inn. 

  • Sawyer, Helen McCarthy. People and Places of Groton. Littleton: Sherwin and Dodge, 1987. 974.44 SAW

Collection of articles published in the Groton Herald, includes the Lowthorpe School. Not indexed. 

  • Sawyer, Helen McCarthy. More People and Places of Groton. Littleton: Sherwin and Dodge, 1987. 974.44 SAW

Second volume of articles published in the Groton Herald. Not indexed. 

  • Butler, Caleb. History of the Town of Groton. Boston: T.R. Marvin, 1848. 974.44 BUT

History of Groton, Pepperell and Shirley with an appendix of vital records. 

  • Green, Samuel Abbott. Groton Historical Series. Groton, MA, 1877-1899. 974.44 GRE

Four volume history of Groton written by local physician and historian, includes some of the earliest records of Groton (earlier that those in Vital Records of Groton). These volumes include church records, information about early settlers, and accounts of events and people. Index is confusing, as volume 1 does not have consecutive pagination: see explanation at beginning of Index.  

  • Green, Samuel Abbott. Groton During the Revolution. Groton, MA, 1900. 973.3 GRE

Includes the military rolls of Groton companies as well as extracts of town records during the Revolution and an appendix of Groton military history unrelated to the Revolution.

  • Green, Samuel Abbott. Groton During the Indian Wars. Groton, MA, 1883. 973.2 GRE

Covers the period from King Philip's War through the French and Indian War. 

  • Green, Samuel Abbott. Epitaphs from the Old Burying Ground in Groton, Massachusetts (Groton Epitaphs on spine). 929.5 GRE

Epitaphs from the cemetery on Hollis Street with a history of the Old Burying Ground, notes on the people and an index of the names and the grave location by section.  

  • Green, Samuel Abbott, ed. Early Records of Groton 1662-1707. Cambridge: University Press, 1880. 974.44 EAR

These original records are a challenge to read due to the intact period spelling, grammar and punctuation.

 

Bibliography compiled by Sharon Coss, June 1999.

07/03/04