RECORDS OF THE CITIES AND TOWNS OF ESSEX COUNTY. 

 INFORMATION ON THEIR CONDITION REQUESTED. 



At a regulär meethig of the Institute held on Monday 

 evening, February 5, 1883, Vice President Eobert S. 

 Rantoul stated that he had corresponded with John T. 

 Hassam, Esq., of Boston, who is interested in a plan for 

 a thorough examination of the town and city records in 

 this Commonwealth, to ascertain their present condition, 

 also looking to their preservation and to the adoption of 

 the most approved methods of arrangement. 



The increasing interest, during the past few years, in 

 genealogical and historical investigations, has imparted to 

 these records a due appreciation of their value as deposi- 

 tories of historical Information and the great need of the 

 fostering care of the legislature and of those in authority. 



Mr. Rantoul showed some blank forms of a circular 

 which had been prepared for the use of the town and city 

 Clerks, so that a uniformity in the returns may be ob- 

 served ; also a circular-letter to be signed by the Presi- 

 dent, soliciting a response to the questions proposed. 



Mr. Hassam has requested the Cooperation of the In- 

 stitute, and is desirous that it would take charge of the 

 sending of the circulars and the receiving of the returns 

 from the clerks of the cities and towns of Essex count}^ 

 mentioning that other societies in the state had been in- 

 vited to coöperate and to assume their respective propor- 

 tion of the work required. 



The subject was referred to a committee consisting of 

 Messrs. Robert S. Rantoul, Henry F. Waters, and James 

 A. Eraraerton with authority to act. 

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