1705-1868
Guide to the Collection
Abstract
This collection consists of correspondence, notes, genealogies, and manuscript volumes concerning James Savage's genealogical research and writing for his Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, published 1860-1862.
Biographical Sketch
James Savage was a lawyer, banker, genealogist, and antiquarian. He served in a number of positions at the Massachusetts Historical Society, including librarian, treasurer, and president.
Collection Description
This collection consists of correspondence, notes, genealogies, and manuscript volumes concerning James Savage's genealogical research and writing for his Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, published 1860-1862. The correspondence and other papers were collected and arranged by Savage in five volumes of tipped-in documents (now disbound), mainly arranged alphabetically by correspondent within each volume, with much of the first volume devoted to correspondence with Sylvester Judd. His manuscript or draft version of the Genealogical Dictionary appears in five bound volumes, in a dictionary format arranged alphabetically by family name.
Arrangement
The James Savage genealogical papers were previously arranged in five large volumes, with documents tipped (hinged) into the volumes. The documents have been removed from these volumes, but kept in their original order where possible. Each volume includes an index, and the original page numbers of the un-tipped documents are written on the verso side, in the lower left-hand corner. However, Volume 4 was disbound at an earlier time, and the page numbers were not saved.
The spines of two volumes have been lost, and there is no indication of their original numbers (possibly they are Volumes 3 and 5), so they have been re-named Volumes A and B.
Savage's manuscript indexes and other oversize items have been removed from the volumes and housed in an oversize box.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Emma Savage Rogers, June 1873.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Correspondence, mostly with Sylvester Judd, 1846-1859
Correspondence, B-Y
Arranged alphabetically.
Correspondence, A-L
Arranged alphabetically.
Correspondence, M-W
Arranged alphabetically.
Correspondence, pp. 1-143
Correspondence, pp. 144-247
Correspondence, A-W
Arranged alphabetically.
Correspondence, A-Perry
Arranged alphabetically.
Correspondence, Phelps-Wynkoop (with one folder of miscellaneous notes)
Arranged alphabetically.
Manuscript genealogical dictionary, Abbott-Eynsworth
Manuscript genealogical dictionary, Eyre-Leverett
Manuscript genealogical dictionary, Leverick-Roberts
Manuscript genealogical dictionary, Robinson-Whipple
Manuscript genealogical dictionary, Whipple-Zullesh
Oversize material
Preferred Citation
James Savage genealogical papers, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.