Blog: Local History

Saturday, April 12 @ 3pm: The Life, Music, and Mystery of Connie Converse

Posted on by Katie Walsh
Attention, music aficionados and local history buffs! Join us in welcoming author Howard Fishman as he talks about his new book, “To Anyone Who Ever Asks: The Life, Music, and Mystery of Connie Converse,” this Saturday at 3pm in the Maccario room.
Connie Converse (a distant relative of Malden’s Converse family) was a 20th century singer-songwriter and activist, considered by some to be a precursor to Bob Dylan. However, she disappeared in 1974 and her music nearly fell into complete obscurity. This Saturday, come learn how, decades later, fans of her music have worked to revive her legacy and her story.
Registration is suggested, you can do so HERE!

Local History Trivia Night 1.13.25

Posted on by Cait Quinn

Join Local History Library and quizmaster, Phillip Wright, when he tests your Malden knowledge at this fun and illuminating trivia night. Prizes will be awarded as will local bragging rights to all those who can answer the most who, what, when, and wheres of Malden history. This event starts at 6pm on Monday, January 13th in the historic local history room of the Converse Memorial Building. This event is for single competitors and champions. No teams. And we will award prizes. Please kindly preregister at this link: bit.ly/lh-trivia

Growing Up in Malden – A Memoir Marathon

Posted on by Katie Walsh

Calling all readers, writers and history lovers. In honor of Malden’s 375th Anniversary, join us on Thursday, September 5 at the Malden Public Library for a marathon reading of Malden’s best published memoirs. We will be collectively reading aloud works of personal storytelling in two sessions – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (daytime) and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (evening). Aspiring memoir writers are invited to share short excerpts from their own stories of childhood and teenage years. Or simple come to be inspired to begin to write your own story.

Works we will read aloud include: Childhood in the Old Parsonage by Darius Cobb, Linden on the Saugus Branch by Elliot Paul, Back Then: One Family’s Way of Life in the 1930’s and the 1940’s by John Bowman, Delightful Yesterdays by Emma Fall Schofield, and Monkey Corner: Life on the Outside Looking In by Jerry (Rocky) Romano.

Memoirs also have historical value. They provide insight into world events from the author’s perspective and allow us to understand what a person felt in a given time period. This event is part of the City of Malden’s 375th celebration, a year-long program that honors the rich history, vibrant culture, and resilient spirit of our City. Check out other upcoming 375th events at https://www.cityofmalden.org/1041/Maldens-375th-Anniversary-Page

For more information, contact the Library at 781-324-0218. Light refreshments will be served.

Introducing our Civic Ancestors: A Virtual Cemetery Tour 5.20.24

Posted on by Cait Quinn

On Monday May 20th at 7pm, join us for a virtual cemetery tour featuring Malden’s Civic Ancestors. This is a Zoom lecture with Historian Dee Morris who will explore Malden’s civic history through the lens of their final resting place. This is a hybrid event and will held virtually via Zoom and in person in the Library’s Maccario room .  You can join us in person for the presentation or watch from home. Registration is required for a Zoom link, so please sign up here: Registration Link. If you need assistance registering call the library at 781-324-0218 or stop by the Information desk.

Researching African American Genealogy with Genealogist Melanie McComb 2.13.24

Posted on by Cait Quinn

This event is postponed due to weather.

Tuesday, February 13th at 6:30 pm join us for a lecture and Q&A about researching African American genealogy. This will be a hybrid event: you can either join us in the Maccario for a live stream with a moderated question and answer period, or join us from home via Zoom and ask your questions in the chat. We are really looking forward to learning more about the tools available to people researching their ancestry. This should be a fascinating and informative event for all members of the community. So please join us! Registration is required, please use the link here: bit.ly/AAGenealogyMPL

All registered participants (whether in person or online) will receive a recording of the program via email after the program concludes.

Getting Started in African American Genealogy 

Researching African American ancestors can be challenging, especially when trying to break through the 1870 brick wall to discover more about ancestors prior to the end of slavery. In this presentation, Genealogist Melanie McComb will discuss go-to records and demonstrate creative search strategies for piecing together your family history.

Melanie McComb, Senior Genealogist, assists library visitors, both on-site and online, with their family history research. She is an international lecturer who teaches on a variety of topics. Melanie holds a B.S. degree from the State University of New York at Oswego. She previously served as the social media coordinator for the NextGen Genealogy Network, a non-profit that creates a community for younger genealogists, where she managed the Facebook and Twitter accounts. She continues her interest in helping younger genealogists get involved at American Ancestors by assisting with educational programs from local schools, scout groups, and universities. Her areas of expertise include Irish genealogy, DNA, Atlantic Canada, Jewish genealogy, and military records.

The ABC’s of Family Research with Dave Robison 11/6 @ 6:30 pm

Posted on by Cait Quinn

Join Ryan in Local History on Monday, November 6th at 6:30 pm for a program with guest lecturer and Profesional Genealogist Dave Robison. This program, “The ABC’s of Family Research”, will explore the basics of family research. This is a great program for anyone looking to better understand genealogical research or for anyone looking for pointers as they continue their search for information.

Dave Robison is a Professional Genealogist at Old Bones Genealogy of New England, LLC. You can learn more about his work at: https://oldbones.co/

Let’s Talk Baseball with Dave Caiazzo 4.24 @ 6:30 PM

Posted on by Cait Quinn

Let’s talk baseball on Monday, April 24th at 6:30 Pm. Join Dave Caiazzo as he talks about his book: “Life Tried to Throw Me a Curveball: I Overcame Diabetes to Become a Pro,” and shares baseball stories from his time a professional baseball player.

Caiazzo has been recognized throughout the years as one of the Boston area’s elite pitchers. He was the first inductee into Malden High School’s Hall of Fame, selected as All-America while at Massachusetts Bay Community College, and played at the University of New Haven under one of college’s best coaches, Frank “Porky” Vieira. Caiazzo will talk about his life and book, “Life Tried to Throw Me a Curveball: I Overcame Diabetes to Become a Pro,” which discusses his baseball career and struggle with diabetes.

Bill Powers Author Talk

Posted on by Stephen Deloney
Bill Powers photo

Malden Public Library to Host Bill Powers Author TalkBill Powers photo

 

Bill Powers will be at the Malden Public Library on December 8th from 6-7pm for an author talk on his newly published book “When the Smoked Cleared: A Murder Mystery in Malden.” Early on a summer morning in 2000 what started off as possible arson in a Malden residential complex quickly turned into a homicide investigation. Detective Lieutenant Bill Powers was on-scene that morning as senior supervisor of the Massachusetts State Police Unit assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. This true crime thriller takes the reader from the crime scene, through the trial prep and court proceedings, to the final verdict.  His position and direct involvement in the case offers a unique perspective on the people involved in solving and prosecuting capital crimes.

 

From the book “Beyond a police and courtroom procedural, this story is about the personal struggles in the victim’s life and how her death impacted her family’s lives in ways no one could have foreseen. It is a love story that grew from unspeakable tragedy.”

For more information on Bill Powers including his previous book Murderous Rage, visit https://www.powersonpolicing.com

 

 

Todd Goodwin Storyteller “Growing up Grubby”

Posted on by Cait Quinn

Storyteller, Todd Goodwin, will be at the Malden Public Library on Monday, October 17th at 6:30PM to tell entertaining stories about growing up in New England in the 1950s and 60s. To register, please use the link below or call the library at 781-324-0218. For early arrivers (between 6 and 6:15, we will show a 16mm silent film reel through a projector of scenes from around Malden in the late 1970s. Let us know if you recognize someone!
https://www.jotform.com/build/222445580207149