Details

Category: About

Does it cost to use Nichols Library?

No. However, there is a cost to make a facsimile of a document or to print to our printers. Members of the society also pay for the use but at a discount. [More information below.]

Will someone at the library do research for me? I know nothing about how to look up my family.

No. However, the library volunteers will help you learn how to do research.

Do we have to refile the research files and books after use?

No. We would prefer to refile these materials for you.

Can I use my laptop at the library? Is there wifi available?

Yes, you may use your own laptop and we do have wifi capability.

Do you have anything to help research outside Alabama? Most of my ancestors are not from Alabama.

While we have more research books on our home state than others, we have a good deal of research on other states. In fact, see the November 2011 and December 2011 Book of the Month Reviews. And the article, Everything is Nichols Library is related to Alabama--Right?

May I bring children to the library?

The Nichols Memorial Library is not a 'public library' but a research library. Ergo, it does not have a children's area nor is there any play area. We ask that researchers time be respected & that children not be brought to the library when you are doing your research.

May I Xerox materials I find of interest?

Yes. Providing these are items from your research at the library. The cost is 25 cents per copy for non-members and 10 cents per copy for members.

Does the library provide any computers for research use?

Yes, but we only have two such computers available and may need to be used by the library staff volunteers to assist those researching.

Time use by researchers is limited to 30 minutes. Please be aware that library visitors are not likely to notify you that your 30-minute limit has been reached & they would like a turn. Take a break and be sure no one else wants to use the computer.

Note: If you are uncomfortable with asking someone to allow you to use the computer once they have reached their 30-minute limit, ask a library volunteer to assist. We will be glad to do so.

Printing from the computer is available at 50 cents per page for non-members and 25 cents for members.

Details

Category: About

& How you can help

Society members are working on several cemeteries in Etowah County:

Read more...

Details

Category: About

Nichols Memorial Library

NorthEast Alabama Genealogical Society, Inc.

NEAGS is located in the Nichols Memorial Library,
One Cabot Avenue, Gadsden, Alabama.

The Cotton Mill was built in Alabama by Dwight Manufacturing to meet their competition. By converting cotton in the south, it saved money and cost control is a main ingredient of Manufacturing.

Howard Gardner Nichols had finished college at Harvard in 1893 and he joined Dwight Manufacturing Company. Since his father was the Treasurer, it was probably and easy decision.

He seems to have done well with the company and was chosen to oversee the construction of the new mill to be located in Alabama City, Alabama. On Christmas Day, 1895, one year after the announcement of the planned building of the new southern cotton mill, a button was pressed at Dwight’s Chicopee, Massachusetts, mill to set in motion the giant Corliss engine in Alabama City to start up the mill operation. In his daily journal, Howard Gardner Nichols recorded that on Friday, February 7, 1896; workers opened the first bale of cotton and threw it into the feeder.

Before daylight on May 23, 1896 he went to the mill to supervise the moving of an electric generator. The night shift had worked feverishly to place the huge dynamo in its proper place. Young Nichols joined the work crew. When everything seemed secure for the final move, the huge scaffolding timbers cracked and splintered in a deafening crash as the machine and Nichols fell together; he was pinned in the rubble.

He suffered severe internal injuries and remained unconscious during the morning as local physicians attended him.

A surgeon was called from Chattanooga, and early the next morning, he operated on the patient in his cottage.

The doctors told the parents that their son could survive but a few hours. The young man rallied, however, and the doctors gained hope for his recovery.

A doctor was summoned from Atlanta to assist in the treatment. Eight days later Nichols was moved by special train to a sanatorium in Atlanta.

He arrived in good spirits, confident of his recovery. He sent greetings to friends in Gadsden and instructions for continuing the work at the mill in Alabama City.

Nevertheless, in mid-June complications developed, and despite the best medical care then available, he died on June 23, 1896.

The Library was constructed between 1898 and 1900. The distinctive white columned building that is the Howard Gardner Nichols Memorial Library became the first public lending library building erected in Alabama.

Another memorial to Mr. Nichols was in the lovely Union Church which featured unique Alpine architecture. His sister placed a stained glass window in the church as a gift in his memory. When the Union Church was dismantled years later, the window was moved to a special place of honor at Gadsden’s Holy Comforter Protestant Episcopal Church, where Howard Gardner Nichols had worshiped during his years in Alabama City and Gadsden.

In the mid 1930’s books were transferred to the Alabama City branch of the Gadsden Public Library System.

During World War II the old library was operated as a child care center so women could work in the mill. Cone Mills sold the building to Hamil family in 1971. They operated a day care center until 1973. On June 30, 1973 the library was sold to NEAGS. Jerry Jones [now deceased] was responsible for the purchase.

Other than genealogy our goal is to keep the Nichols Library a Treasure of Gadsden. We are part of city tours giving visitors a taste of Gadsden History. Nichols Memorial Library was placed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks December 27, 1974.

Details

Category: About

NEAGS Objectives

• To aid in the preservation of family Bible records, military records, cemetery records and other genealogical records.
• To promote historical and genealogical research and the study of history and genealogy.
• To promote interest and encourage people who are interested in genealogy, history and preservation.
• To collect and preservehistorical and genealogical data relating to Alabama, particularly, but not limited to, the counties of:

  » Blount
  » Calhoun
  » Cherokee
  » Clay
  » DeKalb
  » Etowah
  » Marshall
  » Randolph
  » St. Clair
  » Talladega

NEAGS strives to promote Genealogy and offer a place to research your families. We also can help you do research for membership in DAR, SAR, UDC, SCV, War of 1812, Colonial Dames and other Historical societies.

We have approximately 5,000 family files. We try to get people researching to place copies of their files in folders for others researching and as a back up for your file that may be lost to fire or theft or such.

We would like to extend each of you an invitation to come over and see the library firsthand and use our facilities for family and/or historical research. We also have computer connection to aid you in research and a wireless network that you can use with your laptop computers.