May 19, 2015
Governor William Bradford’s (ca. 1590-1657) handwritten Of Plymouth Plantation is well known to genealogists as the earliest journal history of the Mayflower passengers, their voyage across the Atlantic, and the settlement in Plymouth Plantation.
According to the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC), the Bradford Manuscript contains 580 pages, is hand sewn, “and bound in a parchment-covered binding.” It is housed in the State Library of Massachusetts.
Click here to read the State Library’s guide to the Bradford Manuscript.
The Northeast Document Conservation Center took on the task of conserving, repairing and restoring this historic manuscript. The NEDCC has now put a detailed article about the conservation process for this important document online.
Click here to read the NEDCC’s account of their work on the Bradford Manuscript.
The conservation work was done to prevent further deterioration of the historical journal, and to make it more accessible to the public by the creation of two facsimile volumes.
A digitized version of the Bradford Manuscript is available online.
Of special interest to genealogists, the Bradford Manuscript contains a multipage list of the passengers on the Mayflower.
Having this invaluable historical Mayflower resource protected – and having a digital copy of the manuscript online – is a great benefit to genealogists.
Related Mayflower Articles & a Link:
- History of the Plymouth Rock Landmark
- Researching Your Pilgrim Ancestry from Mayflower Ship Passengers
- Mayflower Genealogy Tips (GenealogyBank Pinterest Board)
Fantastic job!!! Love it! I’m in the last stage of connecting my family on both sides to Governor Bradford, so this is great!
I am related to him too through my mom’s maternal side.
Hi Cousin Beryl,
That is great news. I really like seeing genealogists carefully research and document their family tree – especially when we share a common ancestor.
Will you be putting your research online? If so, where?
All the best in your research,
Tom
I am helping my neighbor Richard Bell who is directly related to William Bradford. I need to know how to obtain the booklet on the 5 generations . He has no birth, death, marriages dates. I doubt our library in Ocala FL has the book . Thank you
Hi Barbara – the Bradford volume is the 22nd volume in this series. It is available from the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. Their website is here: https://www.themayflowersociety.org/shop/books-publications/silver-books-and-mfip/william-bradford-vol-22.html
If your local library does not have a copy – you can ask them to borrow it for you from another library via interlibrary loan.
All the best in your research,
Tom
I am a descendant of Richard Warren. My mother was a member of the Mayflower Society. Her brother compiled research for 14 generations. She recently died, but was very proud of her New England heritage. Barbara Jean Warren Balding was her name.
Hi Cousin Julia –
Good to hear from you and to know of the genealogy research that your family has compiled.
Glad that you are continuing to document and expand on our mutual family tree.
Tom
It’s always great to learn something more about the Mayflower passengers. I knew William Bradford was in the textile industry but until I saw this site I didn’t know he was a silk worker. I am his ninth great-granddaughter, his great-granddaughter Jerusha having married my maternal ancestor Hezekiah Newcomb. I am the current editor (and a major contributor) of The Mayflower Chronicles for the Albany, New York Colony of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, an assignment I thoroughly enjoy!
Sylvia
I am also related to the Newcombs. I don’t have a lot of information tho.
William and Susana White were my 10th great grandparents and their son, Peregrine White, who was born on the Mayflower, while docked in Cape Cod Harbor, was my 9th great grandfather. I am also related to Steven Hopkins. He and his wife were my great aunt and uncle and their son, Oceanus, who was born during the Mayflower voyage, was my 1st cousin, 12 X removed.
Would love to find family that are Brewsters. My grandmother and grandfather were Miami and Charles Brewster. I think William Brewster was my great great grandfather.