Special Opportunities

Databases, Digital Library & Archives
Imagine being able to uncover the details of an ancestor’s life with a single search. Every new record we add, every database we enhance, and every page we digitize opens the door for someone to find a missing piece of their family’s story. With your help, our digital collections continue to grow—bringing people closer to their roots, no matter where they live.

Library Collections & Conservation
The Brim-DeForest Library is more than a building—it’s a treasure chest of stories waiting to be told. From centuries-old manuscripts to fragile family Bibles, each item holds a connection to the past. Your generosity helps us preserve these irreplaceable resources, protect them for future generations, and share them with people everywhere. Every time a researcher uncovers a forgotten document, it’s because friends like you made sure that history was cared for and accessible.

Scholarly Publications & Interpretation
Family history is about meaning, not just names and dates. Through our respected journals, books, and publications, we transform research into stories that inspire, teach, and connect us all. Your gift fuels this important work—supporting writers, editors, and historians who turn raw records into narratives of migration, resilience, and belonging. With your partnership, these stories reach far beyond our walls, touching lives across the world.

A Curriculum That Connects
Through our free Family History Curriculum, students in grades 4–8 learn how to think like real historians—searching records, asking questions, and uncovering stories. The lessons are built to be inclusive so every child, no matter their background or family structure, can discover something meaningful about who they are and where they come from. Your gift makes it possible for teachers everywhere to bring these resources into their classrooms.

Learning That Comes Alive
We know that history is most powerful when it feels personal. That’s why we offer classroom visits, virtual field trips, and hands-on workshops where students can dive into family history research. Teachers receive training and one-on-one support so they feel confident guiding their students. With your help, we can reach more schools and light more sparks of curiosity in young learners.

Opportunities to Grow and Shine
From interactive activities to the Young Family Historians Essay Contest, we give students opportunities to share what they discover and celebrate their heritage. These programs don’t just build research skills, they build confidence, empathy, and a deeper appreciation for our shared past. Thanks to you, the next generation is growing up with the tools to carry history forward.

Restoring Names, Restoring Humanity

Every name we recover is more than a record—it is a life remembered, a family reclaimed, and a voice given to a story once silenced. Through careful research, digitization, and collaboration, we are piecing together the fragments of lives lost to history. Your support enables us to uncover these names and ensure that descendants and future generations can embrace their heritage with pride and truth.

Patriots of Color, 1712–1888 database

Among those whose stories we are bringing forward are the Patriots of Color—brave men of African and Indigenous descent who fought for independence during the American Revolution. Their sacrifices were immense, yet their names have too often been forgotten. Through dedicated research and storytelling, this program ensures that their service and legacy are honored during the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding—and preserved for centuries to come.

Restoring Memory, Healing Community

When a name is restored, it is more than a discovery, it is an act of healing. Families see their ancestors recognized, communities reclaim voices once silenced, and all of us gain a fuller, more inclusive understanding of America’s past. This is work we share together: researchers, descendants, and supporters like you helping to mend what was broken. With every recovered name, we affirm that these lives mattered, and that their legacies will continue to inspire.

Stories That Stay With You
The American Inspiration author series brings extraordinary voices—authors, historians, and storytellers—who remind us that our individual stories are part of something much larger. These programs, offered online and in person, highlight themes of immigration, identity, and belonging. Every talk is a chance to be moved, to see history through a new lens, and to carry that inspiration forward. Your generosity helps keep these programs accessible to everyone who wants to join.

Art and Architecture With Heart
Our Fine Art & Architecture programming opens doors into places of beauty and history—from historic houses and gardens to museums and cultural landmarks. These experiences invite participants to see how art, design, and place shape our shared heritage. With your support, we can continue to host engaging lectures, virtual tours, and hands-on programs that blend scholarship with wonder—making history not just something to study, but something to feel.

Moments of Connection
Events at American Ancestors are more than lectures or tours—they are opportunities to gather in community, whether in Boston or online from around the world. Together, we reflect, ask questions, and build connections across generations. Each event is made possible by friends like you who believe in the power of shared experiences to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and bring history closer to home.

Preserving Stories That Matter
Every letter, photograph, and document entrusted to the JHC is a piece of someone’s life—and together, they weave the rich tapestry of Jewish experience in New England and beyond. With your help, we safeguard these collections, conserve fragile materials, and make them available to families, researchers, and the wider public. Your generosity ensures these irreplaceable stories will never be lost.

Opening Doors to Discovery
The JHC is more than an archive—it is a place of learning, exploration, and connection. Through searchable databases, curated collections, and research services, we help individuals discover their roots and uncover the broader history of Jewish life. Your support allows us to expand access, digitize more materials, and create educational opportunities that bring this history into classrooms and communities.

Bringing People Together
Through exhibits, lectures, and public programs, the JHC brings Jewish history to life and invites people of all backgrounds to share in its richness. These events are moments of connection—where stories are passed on, questions are explored, and traditions are celebrated. With your partnership, we can continue to create experiences that inspire pride, foster understanding, and strengthen community ties.