Jewish Federation of the Berkshires: How to Trace Ancestors Through Letters and Postcards

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Thursday, March 5, at 7 p.m., professional genealogist Kathryn Lake Hogan will present "How to Trace Ancestors Through Letters and Postcards," a Jewish Federation of the Berkshires Zoom program examining correspondence as a key resource for family history research.
 
Register on the calendar of events page at jewishberkshires.org.
 
According to a press release:
 
Letters and postcards can open a uniquely intimate window onto family history, and a forthcoming virtual program will explore how these often-overlooked materials can help genealogists uncover powerful personal and historical insights. Hogan will explain how letters and postcards allow researchers to hear ancestors' voices, document family relationships, and capture the details of everyday life. Participants will also learn strategies for locating correspondence within families, archives, and public collections, and how postal routes and geography can illuminate patterns of migration. The program will conclude with guidance on correlating correspondence with census data, directories, and vital records.
 
Kathryn Lake Hogan, UE, PLCGS, is a professional genealogist and educator with deep roots in Canada. She is the founder of Looking4Ancestors and a graduate of ProGen 4 and the International Institute for Genealogical Studies.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Council OKs Underground Fiber Network

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More underground fiber internet cables will be installed in Pittsfield. 

On Tuesday, the City Council approved Gateway Fiber's request to install an underground fiber network infrastructure within the city's right-of-way.  

The company was given the go-ahead for an aerial network last year alongside Archtop Fiber, marking the beginning of construction with a ribbon-cutting at the Colonial Theatre. Gateway Fiber will offer subscription plans ranging from $65 to $150 per month, depending on speed. 

Wards 3 and 4 will see the most work in the first phase, according to an underground fiber deployment plan.  Fourteen streets in Ward 4 will see underground fiber deployment; 13 streets in Ward 3.  

Ward 4 Councilor James Conant voted in opposition for personal reasons, as he signed up for Gateway Fiber briefly last year and said he had poor service and poor communication from the company. 

Some councilors and community members appreciated bringing competition to Spectrum internet services. Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey pointed out that it costs about $90 per month for 500 megabytes per second with Spectrum, and that all three fiber services that have come to Pittsfield are cheaper. 

Operations Manager Jennifer Sharick explained that they were seeking approval for underground fiber deployment as part of the next phase in Pittsfield. The city was found to be a "very" viable community for underground fiber. 

Gateway Fiber, she said, originally served a community of 250 residents outside of St. Louis, Mo. 

"Following the pandemic, we saw the need, and what people need for fiber and reliable internet service to bring residents and businesses the opportunity for connectivity," Sharick said. 

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