The New England Historic Genealogical Society

for the purpose of “collecting, preserving, and...publishing genealogi-cal and historic materials relating to New England families....” ’ Its formation can be explained as a cultural response to a changing New England population and society. The outmigration of Yankee sons, massive influx of Irish, and rapid emergence of industrial centers seemed to foreshadow the disintegration of the old order and ways in New England. Preservation became a cherished ideal. Ancient towns and families, then numbering seven and eight generations in America, were to be remembered as they had existed in the preindustrial past. Such a conservative mentality generated a great outpouring of New England genealogies and local histories in the nineteenth century. Guided by this mentality for the first 100 years of its existence, the society has, in recent years, enlarged its vision. Now identified as “A National Center for Family and Local History, ” it intends to serve the genealogical interests of anyone with New England ancestry, regardless of national origin or time of arrival in America.2 The Membership For many years available by invitation only, society membership is now open to anyone who shares its in te re~t. ~ Membership fees rang