In partnership with Portsmouth Public Library, we present the following event:

What does the name “IOKA” mean? Where were the secret tunnels? Was The Addams Family filmed in Exeter?
Local historians often have to confront the unofficial history of their community. Untangling truth from fiction, when there are sometimes vocal stakeholders involved, can be quite a challenge. How can we tell what is real versus what is believed to be real? This program explores some strange stories, long-held beliefs and flat-out urban legends from the town of Exeter, in an effort to explain how they start, spread and stick. Join Exeter local historian, Barbara Rimkunas, as she tries to find the truth without ruining everyone’s childhood. Perhaps there are some real stories out there just odd enough to replace the fiction?

No registration required. Click this link https://zoom.us/j/9491308975?pwd=RFl4THdMQnR4VGIrbmdRVEpGMjcwZz09 to connect via Zoom. Password: 3GWdHC

Barbara Rimkunas has been the curator at the Exeter Historical Society since 2000, and now serves as Co-Executive Director. She writes on Exeter’s history, often on topics requested by the public, bi-weekly in the Exeter News-Letter. You can also watch the Exeter Historical Society’s video series “Exeter History Minute” at exeterhistory.org http://www.exeterhistory.org/ or on YouTube.

Pictured: A trick photo from the 1890s, taken at a downtown studio, depicting the same person in two different poses. Says Barbara, “I love these photos (they turn up every now and then) because they force us to question ‘truth.’ “ Courtesy of Exeter Historical Society.

LIBRARY EVENT

Contact: Cathryn Czajkowski 6037661723 cfczajkowsk@cityofportsmouth.com

**CANCELED/POSTPONED. We will alert you of a possible make up date for this event. Stay safe.** 

Annual Athenaeum Picnic at the Seacoast Science Center. 5 - 7 p.m.

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In partnership with Portsmouth Public Library, we present the following event:

Presented by the library’s Special Collections staff and members of the Ranger Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), these events are free, open to the public, and appropriate for all levels of interest and experience. All levels will learn something new!
ONLINE Genealogy Workshop
17th Century Handwriting: Reading Bradford’s Journal and Transcribing Old Town Records
with Robert Cameron Weir
Thursday August 20 | 6 - 8 PM

In this workshop you’ll hear the story of Plymouth Colony and the surprising story of the manuscript itself, and then receive a tutorial on how to read and transcribe early 17th century handwriting. It is easier than you might think!

As New England marks this year the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Mayflower, join us for a workshop on William Bradford’s journal, “Of Plimoth Plantation.” Bradford was a Mayflower passenger and the longest-serving governor of Plymouth Colony. He maintained a journal that documented the history of the Pilgrims from 1608 to 1647.

We’ll work through selected passages from Bradford’s journal, and together experience the satisfaction of reading, and understanding, a 400-year-old handwritten manuscript.

We will then discuss the various conventions for transcribing historical manuscripts, focusing on the semi-diplomatic style. You will learn some new skills to assist in your family research, and hear about upcoming local transcription project opportunities as Portsmouth approaches its own 400th anniversary in 2023.

Rob is a professional genealogist and the proprietor of Yourigins, in Dover, New Hampshire. He is a 12th generation New Englander with 16 years of experience in genealogical research. He is certified in Genealogical Research from Boston University’s Center for Professional Education is a member of the Association for Professional Genealogists. He is a 1991 graduate of Harvard College.

Materials for this workshop may be found here: yourigins.com/reading-17th-century-handwriting https://www.yourigins.com/reading-17th-century-handwriting . You may want to print these out to follow along with the presentation.

Registration is required. Zoom login information will be sent via email prior to the meeting.

Questions? Visit the Genealogy Workshop webpage https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/library/genealogy , Email libinfo@cityofportsmouth.com mailto:libinfo@cityofportsmouth.com or Nicole Luongo Cloutier at nlcloutier@cityofportsmouth.com mailto:nlcloutier@cityofportsmouth.com .

LIBRARY EVENT

Contact: Nicole Cloutier 603-766-1725 nlcloutier@cityofportsmouth.com