Irish Immigrant Experience Mass. Memories Road Show images and stories now available

'Taken outside family home in County Kerry, Ireland. Pictured, from left to right: Moriarty cousins (children in rear), (front left) my uncle James Shea, (front right) my grandmother Mary Shea.' 1938. Contributor: Joan Walsh.

‘Taken outside family home in County Kerry, Ireland. Pictured, from left to right: Moriarty cousins (children in rear), (front left) my uncle James Shea, (front right) my grandmother Mary Shea.’ 1938. Contributor: Joan Walsh.

The images and stories gathered at the Irish Immigrant Experience Mass. Memories Road Show on November 16, 2013 are now available online. Held at the Irish Cultural Centre of New England (ICCNE) in Canton, Mass., the event was organized and sponsored by the ICCNE in conjunction with The Irish Ancestral Research Association (TIARA), The Eire Society of Boston, and the Consulate General of Ireland.

Two dozen volunteers from these organizations worked together with a team of UMass Boston staff members and graduate students as well as “Roadies” from past Mass. Memories Road Shows to welcome individuals with connections to Ireland and Irish American heritage.

'We were waiting in Cobh to board the boat to America--we went into N.Y. port. Pictured, from left to right, back to front: my dad Patrick Heeney, myself Frances Heeney, my mother Anna Heeney and Mary Heeney.' 1953. Contributor: Fran Heeney.

‘We were waiting in Cobh to board the boat to America–we went into N.Y. port. Pictured, from left to right, back to front: my dad Patrick Heeney, myself Frances Heeney, my mother Anna Heeney and Mary Heeney.’ 1953. Contributor: Fran Heeney.

About 100 individuals shared almost 250 photographs of family members who immigrated from Ireland to the United States as long ago as the mid-19th century and as recently as the late-20th century. Several contributors brought images of ancestors who were born in Ireland, recording carefully researched stories of how their relatives settled, found work, and formed communities in Massachusetts.

'This is a picture of my father's mother, sister and brothers after they were finally together again in America. My father was approx. 29 years old. Most families had a similar photo taken after arriving in America. This picture always brings back memories of this wonderful group of people. Pictured, from back to front, left to right: Mary Kathleen Sheehan, Cornelius Sheehan, Jerimah Sheehan, my father John Sheehan, my grandmother Nora Sheehan and William Sheehan.' 1926. Contributor: Claire McWade.

‘This is a picture of my father’s mother, sister and brothers after they were finally together again in America. My father was approx. 29 years old. Most families had a similar photo taken after arriving in America. This picture always brings back memories of this wonderful group of people. Pictured, from back to front, left to right: Mary Kathleen Sheehan, Cornelius Sheehan, Jerimah Sheehan, my father John Sheehan, my grandmother Nora Sheehan and William Sheehan.’ 1926. Contributor: Claire McWade.

Studio portraits of Irish American families in Boston neighborhoods and surrounding towns figure prominently in this collection. Images of first communions, weddings, and family reunions are among the types of special occasions preserved. Many photographs and stories document the service of Irish Americans in the U.S. military during the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and, more recently, in Iraq.

Browse the Irish Immigrant Experience Mass. Memories Road Show collection.


The Mass. Memories Road Show is a statewide digital history project that documents people, places and events in Massachusetts history through family photographs and stories. In partnership with teams of local volunteers, we organize public events to scan family and community photographs and videotape “the stories behind the photos.” The images and videos are indexed and incorporated into an online educational database. Since its launch, the project has gathered more than 8,000 photographs and stories from across the state. It is supported in part by the Patricia C. Flaherty ’81 Endowed Fund at UMass Boston.  

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston was established in 1981 as a repository to collect archival material in subject areas of interest to the university, as well as the records of the university itself. The mission and history of UMass Boston guide the collection policies of University Archives & Special Collections, with the university’s urban mission and strong support of community service reflected in the records of and related to urban planning, social welfare, social action, alternative movements, community organizations, war and social consequence, and local history related to neighboring communities. To learn more, visit blogs.umb.edu/archives.

 

Provincetown Mass. Memories Road Show Images and Stories Online Now

'My wife Susan Soults modeling as a mermaid for an Atlantic Coast Fisheries promotion for frozen fish to be sold in the Midwest, 1964.' Contributor: Tony Jackett.

‘My wife Susan Soults modeling as a mermaid for an Atlantic Coast Fisheries promotion for frozen fish to be sold in the Midwest, 1964.’ Contributor: Tony Jackett.

The images and stories gathered at the Provincetown Mass. Memories Road Show on September 28, 2013 are now available online. Held at the Veterans Memorial Community Building, the event was organized by the Provincetown Public Library, Council on Aging, Town of Provincetown, Provincetown Art Commission, and Provincetown Monument and Museum.  Two dozen local volunteers worked together with a team of UMass Boston staff members and “Roadies” from past Mass. Memories Road Shows to welcome individuals with connections to the town.

About 120 individuals contributed over 300 photographs documenting personal memories of friends and relatives in Provincetown and beyond. Overall, the collection reflects both the rich cultural heritage and artistic character of the town and its residents. Several contributors brought images and stories about work or recreation at sea, while others shared photographs of such local businesses as the Old Colony Tap, Phantasy Photo, and the Now Voyager and Cape & Dagger bookstores. Images of weddings in the “hippie” era of the 1960s and 1970s and same-sex union ceremonies in more recent years are among the personal occasions preserved. The collection also includes photographs of town celebrations such as the prom at Provincetown High School, and the 4th of July and Carnival parades.

'Our wedding day, gorgeous warm November afternoon. On the deck overlooking Provincetown Harbor, 1971. Contributors: Deborah and Dennis Minsky.

‘Our wedding day, gorgeous warm November afternoon. On the deck overlooking Provincetown Harbor, 1971. Contributors: Deborah and Dennis Minsky.

Browse the Provincetown Mass. Memories Road Show collection.


The Mass. Memories Road Show is a statewide digital history project that documents people, places and events in Massachusetts history through family photographs and stories. In partnership with teams of local volunteers, we organize public events to scan family and community photographs and videotape “the stories behind the photos.” The images and videos are indexed and incorporated into an online educational database. Since its launch, the project has gathered more than 8,000 photographs and stories from across the state. It is supported in part by the Patricia C. Flaherty ’81 Endowed Fund at UMass Boston.  

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston was established in 1981 as a repository to collect archival material in subject areas of interest to the university, as well as the records of the university itself. The mission and history of UMass Boston guide the collection policies of University Archives & Special Collections, with the university’s urban mission and strong support of community service reflected in the records of and related to urban planning, social welfare, social action, alternative movements, community organizations, war and social consequence, and local history related to neighboring communities. To learn more, visit blogs.umb.edu/archives.

Mass. Memories Road Show heads to Wayland

Wayland Mass. Memories Road ShowWhen: Saturday, March 8, 2014 – 10 a.m – 2 p.m.

Location: Wayland Middle School, 201 Main Street, Wayland, Mass. Click here for directions.

Do you have a connection to Wayland, Massachusetts? Share your memories and take your place in Massachusetts history at this free, public event. Please bring up to three photographs related to your experience of Wayland. The photos will be scanned and immediately returned to you at the event. All images and stories collected at Mass. Memories Road Shows are available online at openarchives.umb.edu.

The Mass. Memories Road Show is a statewide digital history project that documents people, places, and events in Massachusetts history through family photographs and stories.

The Mass. Memories Road Show is produced by the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston and is co-sponsored by the Patricia C. Flaherty ’81 Endowed Fund.

The Wayland Mass. Memories Road Show is also sponsored locally by the Town of Wayland, 375th Anniversary Planning Committee.

Read more about the Wayland Mass. Memories Road Show here and here.

In the event of a snow storm, this Road Show will take place on Sunday, March 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Questions? Email carolyn.goldstein@umb.edu.

Lexington Mass. Memories Road Show a resounding success

Volunteers and contributors at the Lexington Mass. Memories Road Show, March 16, 2013

On Saturday, March 16, 2013, as part of the town’s 300th Anniversary Celebration, the Mass. Memories Road Show visited Lexington, Massachusetts, and collected more than 300 photographs and stories from community members about their lives, their families, and their memories of Lexington.

Two hundred and eighty-one community members attended this Road Show event, which was part of series of activities for the LexCelebrate! Incorporation Weekend held at Lexington High School.

The Mass. Memories Road Show is a statewide digital history project that documents people, places, and events in Massachusetts history through family photographs and stories. In partnership with teams of local volunteers, we organize public events to scan family and community photographs and videotape “the stories behind the photos.” The images and video are indexed and incorporated into an online educational database at openarchives.umb.edu.

A Lexington Mass. Memories Road Show contributor, and Battle of Lexington reenactor, describes his photo contribution, sword in hand, to the Mass. Memories Road Show digital archive.

The Mass. Memories Road Show is an initiative of University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

The photos and stories from the Lexington Mass. Memories Road Show are currently being processed by archives staff and will be available online soon. It typically takes archives staff 2-3 months to fully process and incorporate images and stories into the digital collection.

Keep checking this site for up to date information.

Contact University Archives & Special Collections with any questions.


The Mass. Memories Road Show is a statewide digital history project that documents people, places and events in Massachusetts history through family photographs and stories. In partnership with teams of local volunteers, we organize public events to scan family and community photographs and videotape “the stories behind the photos.” The images and videos are indexed and incorporated into an online educational database. Since its launch, the project has gathered more than 8,000 photographs and stories from across the state. It is supported in part by the Patricia C. Flaherty ’81 Endowed Fund at UMass Boston.  

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston was established in 1981 as a repository to collect archival material in subject areas of interest to the university, as well as the records of the university itself. The mission and history of UMass Boston guide the collection policies of University Archives & Special Collections, with the university’s urban mission and strong support of community service reflected in the records of and related to urban planning, social welfare, social action, alternative movements, community organizations, war and social consequence, and local history related to neighboring communities. To learn more, visit blogs.umb.edu/archives.

Roxbury Memory Day at Hibernian Hall on April 28

As part of a day-long series of events celebrating the history and community of Roxbury, on Saturday, April 28, the Madison Park Development Corporation and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino invite community members to participate in “Roxbury Memory Day” as part of a series of events that day called Our Dudley Square:  Discover, Explore, Celebrate!

Past and present Roxbury residents are asked to bring their old photos and other documents to be scanned and archived by University Archives and Special Collections at UMass Boston as part of the Mass. Memories Road Show.  (Photos will be returned immediately to their owners.)  All are invited to participate in brief video interviews about life in Roxbury.

“Roxbury Memory Day,” will take place from 11 am to 3 pm at Hibernian Hall in Dudley Square.

All of the day’s events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 617-849-6335.

Click here to learn more about the Mass. Memories Road Show.