"Very soon after the Revolutionary war an effort was made to revive the former taste for historical research. The Massachusetts Historical Society was formed, and has continued slowly to acquire wealth and influence, having greatly extended its usefulness within the past ten years. John Farmer, secretary of the New Hampshire Historical Society, early devoted himself to the study of genealogy and biography, and by his genealogical register attracted public attention to the subject. Our list will show that but little progress was made for thirty years from the time he issued his Farmer genealogy, but enough was done to keep the fire alive. In 1844, the Register was established under his patronage; since then the study of history and genealogy has been greatly encouraged, and with good results. When the new society was formed the science of genealogy was little understood. The wealth of our records was hardly imagined, the necessity of severe examination of traditions scarcely thought of, and the simplest and most economical form of arrangement was not yet invented. Soon, however, all these points were examined, old manuscript published, and the State authorities were persuaded to enact laws for the preservation of its documents. Since 1845 numerous local societies have been established or revived; over two hundred distinct works on genealogy have been published up to 1868, and innumerable town histories and historical pamphlets have been issued. In many instances these results have been known to be due to the establishment of the new societies, and it is unquestionable that the spirit it fostered has been the mainspring in all Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island have issued large volumes of their early annals, under the patronage of the respective governments. Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont possess active historical societies. New York has not only published her own records but assisted her neighbors, and established the largest and richest historical society in existence. Similar associations exist in more than half the States in the Union, and a new magazine, the _"American Notes and Queries,"_ established as their organ, has continued to the present time. Circular No. 3 of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, issued June, 1847, signed by the following gentlemen, viz: Charles Ewer, Lemuel Shattuck, Samuel G. Drake, Samuel H. Riddle and W. H. Montague, treats of the great importance which they attach to genealogical and historical work and works; and in this connection I may be permitted to suggest that what appealed so directly to their needs in those early times applies with much greater force to the Saints of the Latter Days, who are clearly and pleasurably made aware of the glorious relationship which exists between parents and children and the vital obligations the living are under to the dead. These intimations, no doubt you will appreciate, and when time and