Berkshire County Historical Society Genealogy Workshop

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County Historical Society begins 2025 with a genealogy workshop led by Lisa Swigert.
 
Swigert has more than 40 years of experience in genealogical research and has been an instructor for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) for four years. The six-session workshop begins on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Berkshire Athenaeum from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and continues via Zoom on five consecutive Saturdays. 
 
Cost for the workshop is $100 for BCHS members, $125 for non-members; registration can be made by using the BOOK NOW button at berkshirehistory.org.
 
Swigert will cover topics from getting started and organizing your research to finding the resources you need to answer your research questions. The workshop is appropriate for the beginning genealogist as well as those getting back into their family history research. The workshop is part of Berkshires 250, On The Road to Revolution program.
 
Leading up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026, communities throughout the nation are looking back at the people and events that led to the Revolutionary War and considering what American democracy means to all people today and in the future. In Berkshire County, a growing number of organizations have come together to commemorate the unique role our region played during this historic period.

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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