Tuesday, May 27, 2008, Holyoke, Massachusetts.Penni Martorell, former Archivist of the Holyoke Public Library History Room & Archive announced the donation of a compiled lineage of Elizur Holyoke that traces the Holyoke name back to 1490, by John J. Zwisler, 14 year volunteer at the Holyoke history room and amateur historian. The 23-page binder includes photocopies of original documents; newspaper announcements and articles; and color photographs and research sources. This is the culmination of nearly 7 years of work on the part of Mr. Zwisler, truly a labor of love.
Along with the Holyoke Lineage, Mr. Zwisler also donated a March 5, 1859 Supplement to the Hartford Courant Newspaper that contains the article “The Holyoke Purchase” detailing the origins of the Holyoke Water Power Company.
“Mr. Zwisler has given the Holyoke Public Library History Room & Archive a marvelous and generous gift,” Ms. Martorell said. “Sandy Ward, Holyoke descendant and Holyoke resident rushed to the Holyoke History Room in order to meet Mr. Zwisler and compare notes on their genealogical research. I am sure that Holyoke researchers of all kinds will appreciate the amount of work that has gone into this worthy project.”
This Holyoke Family binder along with the Supplement to the Hartford Current will be cataloged and made available for use at the Holyoke Public Library History Room & Archive, which is currently housed at Holyoke Community College, Donahue Room 204.
Beginning June 2, the Summer Hours for the Holyoke History Room & Archive are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Monday Evening 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Friday and Saturday.
