Milton Historical Society opens new research center

Milton Historical Society opened its new research center July 12, with an educational family tree workshop at its Union Street location. 

The newly established space is dedicated to supporting historical and family history research. It offers a collection of library books – some that  are rare, some that are localized and some that cover Milton history – online databases for family trees, printers, laptops and knowledgeable volunteers available to guide visitors through their research.

“I think it will aid people in getting started on their research journey, whether it be family trees, historical research, localized research or even statewide research,” said Milton Historical Society Executive Director DeeDee Wood. “They can utilize some of our online tips and tricks, and our volunteers that are steeped in local history and ways to obtain data that they may not even think about.”

The idea for the research center came in response to consistent requests from community members seeking help with tracing family history or researching historic properties. Overall, the updated space now features a more formal layout, where all the research materials are organized in one space, giving it the feel of a traditional research library to be utilized. 

To celebrate its opening, the historical society hosted a family tree workshop July 12, led by summer intern CJ Gail, a student at Trinity College in Ireland majoring in history. She is bringing a different perspective to history research from her international experiences. 

“She has a lot of knowledge about researching family trees,” said Wood. “So we’re really lucky to have her.”

The workshop walked participants through the basics of family history research, including how to get started, what resources and websites to use, and how to stay organized.

The event also kicked off a new series of monthly workshops focused on a variety of historical research topics. A future session will center on historical home research. 

The center is open to the public by appointment only. Donation fees vary depending on the level of the research project. The space is intended as a pure educational resource and not connected to regulations or restrictions. The new research center is aimed at helping individuals explore personal and local history with confidence and ease. 

“We always stay within our mission statement, and part of this mission statement goal is to share local history and help with the research process,” said Wood.

The Milton Historical Society is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. To schedule a research appointment or register for an upcoming workshop, call 302-684-1010 or email visit@historicmilton.org. 

For more information, go to miltonhistoricalsociety.org.