The Cape Cod Tufts Club invites alumni, parents, friends of Tufts and members of the Intercollegiate Alumni of Cape Cod and Islands and the general public, to help solve a puzzle that has roots that date back to the 1800’s!
Join us on Zoom Friday, April 8th from 12 noon – 1pm as our speaker unravels this genealogical conundrum.
Professor/Dean Emeritus from Gallaudet University, Dr. David Martin, will present on a long-standing mystery that is near and dear to his heart. A mid-19th century ancestor seemed to have no identifiable parents, a very common name, and many possible options for what could be true. Starting with very little information, the investigator on the case pursued many avenues involving probates, divorce records, medical records, Native American archives, DNA and military pension records. The most important clue discovered?
A Civil War Military Pension application from service in the Union Navy. This document, among other things, revealed a concussion this relative sustained from the cannons on the ironclad ship, the Monitor, as it battled with the South’s ironclad vessel, the Merrimack. Through many indirect “detective” leads and blind alleys, the enigma was finally solved with a variety of techniques that may help others to track down elusive ancestors.
This event will be held via Zoom webinar. We look forward to “seeing” you there!
To register for the webinar, click here. Please register by April 8 at 10:00am EDT.
About Dr. David S. Martin: David is Professor/Dean Emeritus from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. He graduated from Yale with a B.A., holds a Master’s and Certificate of Advanced Study degrees from the Harvard School of Education, and the Ph.D. from Boston College. His interests involve genealogy, local history, astronomy, and the organ; he is the current Treasurer of the Yale Club of Cape Cod. He coordinated a Cape-wide Symposium in late 2020 on The Significance of Cape Cod in the Plimoth Colony, and will draw on that information for his presentation. He is married to Dr. Susan K. Martin, J63; they live in Marstons Mills.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (for Tufts alums only)
In an effort to make things as convenient as possible for our members, you now have the option to make a Scholarship Fund donation online during the online registration process for this event!
However, please note that we do not have the option at this time to pay dues online. If you would like to pay your dues or make a donation to the Cape Cod Tufts Club Scholarship Fund by mailing in a check, please make it out to Trustees of Tufts College. It should be mailed to:
Trustees of Tufts College:
Attn: Amanda Tramont
Office of Alumni Relations
80 George Street, Suite 100-3
Medford, MA 02155