Salem Ancestry

Cotton Mather and the Salem Witch Trials: Separating Fact from Fiction
2024-08-08 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual Event
Boston’s Reverend Cotton Mather has often been portrayed as an instigator of the Salem trials and a witch hunter. But what exactly was his role in 1692, and why has he been such a polarizing figure? Join us for a virtual roundtable discussion with Salem witch trials historian Marilynne Roach, Rachel Christ-Doane (Director of Education at the Salem Witch Museum), and Tricia Peone (Project Director of New England’s Hidden Histories at the Congregational Library & Archives). This discussion will focus on Cotton Mather’s writings about witchcraft, misconceptions about his role in the Salem witch trials, and his legacy today.

Salem Ancestry Days
2024-08-09 - 2024-08-10 | Historic Salem, Inc., MA, United States

Ponkapoag Blessing
2024-08-09 10:00 - 10:30 | Furlong Park, Franklin Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Thomas (Spirit Tree) Green, an enrolled member of the Massachusetts Tribe at Ponkapoag will be performing a spiritual cleansing and cultural blessing in honor of the Pawtucket Bloodline Sachemship of Nanepashemet at the seat of his son Wenepoiken on August 9th 2024.

Salem Ancestry Days Exhibitor Fair
2024-08-09 10:00 - 16:00 | Salem Armory Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty St, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Please join us in learning how to get started with your gemology journey with our robust selection of exhibitors. Chat with genealogists about Salem’s specific genealogical history and how you connect.

Our Exhibitors Include:
American Ancestors by New England Historic Genealogical Society
Col. Timothy Pickering Chapter, NSDAR
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Essex Society of Genealogy
Salem Historical Society
Friends of Broad Street Cemetery

Salem Witch Trials: Ancestors & Descendants Tour
2024-08-09 11:00 - 12:30 | Downtown Salem, Essex Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Salem will be 400 years old in 2026. It is rich in history, including a critical role in the American Revolution and being the richest seaport per capita from 1790 to 1812. And then there is the 1692 Witch Trials. There were 156 official complaints and maybe 200 accused, along with 70 afflicted persons, nine judges, dozens of jurors and hundreds who observed the trials. Calculations estimate that there could be more than 50 million descendants from the event. Many of them know but many don’t. Most have never been in the public eye. However, many are famous and some are infamous. You’ll be surprised.
This tour will bring you throughout the downtown area of old Salem Towne, discussing key people involved in the 1692 Witchcraft Trials and their descendants. Perhaps you are one of them.

Family Search-Connecting Families Past and Present
2024-08-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Salem Armory Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty St, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Family search provides family history experiences designed just for you. Come learn how this FREE website connects families past and present in a whole new way. Fun activities, researching, recording our own story including your heritage stories can be uploaded to this large and living family tree!

Presentation by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

The Making of a Witch — A Play in One Act
2025-06-28 14:00 - 14:45, 2025-06-28 16:00 - 16:45, 2025-07-12 14:00 - 14:45, 2025-07-12 16:00 - 16:45, 2025-07-19 14:00 - 14:45, 2025-07-19 16:00 - 16:45, 2025-07-26 14:00 - 14:45, 2025-07-26 16:00 - 16:45 and 2 more dates | St. Peter’s-San Pedro Episcopal Church, 24 St Peter Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Join us for the truth about Philip English based on our extensive research through our own church archives and historical documents from Salem. This work, written by Rory O’Brien and edited by Marilynne Roach, will be appreciated for its authenticity and power to convey the essence of the man who not only built a successful career in young Salem, but also narrowly escaped the witch trials with his life and founded a church that still stands and serves today.
All proceeds benefit the ministries & historic preservation of St. Peter’s – San Pedro Episcopal Church. Tickets are non refundable.

Revolutionary War Connections to the Salem Witch Trials
2025-08-07 18:00 - 19:30 | Salem Witch Museum, 19 1/2 Washington Square North, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
We often find fascinating connections between the Salem witch trials and the Revolutionary War generation, particularly the one most often referred to as our “Founding Fathers.” With Rev250 celebrations in full swing, this presentation will share some of these interesting stories, including that of Reverend George Burroughs, the Putnam family of Salem Village, Reverend John Hale of Beverly, and Abigail Faulkner of Andover. Join us on Thursday, August 7th at 6:00 pm EST for this free, virtual program. Registration is required.
