They traveled thousands of miles for a history lesson

How far would you go to find out about your family history?  Deborah and Stephen Jackson traveled more than 2500 miles from their home in Stockton, California, to find information on Deborah's family.  The retired couple had been on the road almost three weeks, traveling to Georgia and up the east coast through New York before winding back through Ohio and stopping recently at the Amherst Public Library.

"We came to Amherst because that's where my family is from originally", said Deborah.  "We've spent our vacation visiting cemeteries, historical associations, and genealogy centers tracing back our own family history."  Stephen's family was mostly from Georgia which led them to a great archives in the Atlanta area where they were able to find clues and fill in gaps in his family tree.

Deborah was very happy when she found the book Amherst Pictorial History by Fay Van Nuys Ott in the library's local history collection.  On page 129 of the book she found a photo of John Ulrich Sr., sitting in his cobbler shop, dated 1920.  "He was my great grandfather", she explained. "I've seen a photo of his house but never this one of inside the shop." 

The Jacksons spent quite a while pouring over books and maps while on the other side of the room, kids took part in the library's regular Wednesday craft activity.  "It makes me miss my grandchildren seeing all these happy little faces," said Deborah.  "We've really enjoyed our time on the road.  It's been a very relaxing vacation."  Stephen is holding a copy of the new book by Arcadia Press, Images of America: Amherst.  Find it at the library or purchase it online.

The Jackson's were traveling in their RV and had to head out to make arrangements for the evening.  Before they left town, though, they headed downtown to take some photographs.  Perhaps one day they'll tell their grandchildren about their journey across America to document their family history and tell them about some of the nice people they met along the way, maybe even the nice folks they met at the Amherst Public Library.

Find more information, including Amherst and South Amherst High School Yearbooks, historical photographs, and one of a kind books when you visit our Digital History Collection online. Also check out some of the Amherst News Times that are now available online.  No need to travel thousands of miles and you just might find something you didn't even know existed.

Summer Series

No more teachers no more books....hey, wait a minute, let's not get carried away.  Summer is the perfect time to pick up that book just because you like the cover, because someone told you it was good, because you have time to sit back and just read for fun.  Remember reading for fun?

Sometimes the best books are the ones you find by accident.  Barefoot: a novel by Elin Hilderbrand is one such story.  Connecticut housewife Vicki, diagnosed with lung cancer, has packed up her two kids for a chemo-commuting summer at the family's Nantucket cabin.  Vicki brings along with her two other women that have there own baggage.  The three women are noticed by Josh Flynn, a creative writing student that can smell a story in the air and quickly inserts himself into the drama that unfolds. 

Summer People by Brian Groh is a quick read that puts you into the world of social privilege, but fills you with a great story of friendship and compassion.  A debut novel, a light read that's perfect for poolside.

Sweet-and-sour summer is part of the series Dish by Diane Muldrow.  This young adult series combines friendships, cooking, talking...what else is there?  Short books, all with an underlyling culinary tie that brings characters and drama together on one menu. 


The Floor of the Sky by Pamela Carter Joern depicts four generations of Nebraska ranchers packed into 250 pages that will have you wanting more.  Lila is a pregnant teenager spending the summer at her grandmother Toby's Nebraska ranch. Toby has problems of her own, Toby is trying to save her ranch from foreclosure while dealing with her sanctimonious sister Gertie.  What begins as a summer visit opens up Lila to family secrets and generations of turmoil that can only be felt by those people whose very existence, and life depends on the land around them.  A gritty novel that would make a great movie.

Cabin pressure: one man's futile attempt to recapture his youth at summer camp  by Josh Wolk is available as a book on CD.  Reminicent of an Adam Sandler movie, Josh find himself faced with the ultimate step into adulthood - marraige.  He returns to the summer camp of his youth before walking down the aisle. But while his beloved campgrounds have remained the same, Wolk finds that he has grown out of touch.  What's worse is that he's still intimidated by supermacho co-counselor Mitch.  If summer camp brings back memories of wedgies and misquito bites then join with Josh Wolk and share the memories.

Front Porch Tales by Philip Gulley invites you to sit and just enjoy the front porch of life.  Lift your spirits and share in the warm and inspirational stories that help you put some perspective on what is really important in your life.  A nice, relaxing read.  Where's my iced tea?

Sure there's always work to be done but even young readers can relax and have fun with Mr. Putter & Tabby Paint the Porch by Cynthia Rylant. Everything is ready to go.  The drop cloths are laid, the paint has been stirred, but when a squirrel gets curious, the resulting chaos is worth a few laughs, especially if you're not the one cleaning up. This is one of the books located in our Beginning Readers section in the Children's Department.  Look for the red sticker on the book spine that says "Reader". 

Remember, the library has a summer reading program for those ages 4 through 104.  Visit our online registration page or our Youth Services page for more information.