The formation of the New England Historic, Genealogical Society, which has received a Charter from the Massachusetts Legislature, and which, as its name imports, proposes to direct its attention to the illustration of History in one of its most elemental and original departments, has been received with a degree of encouragement and favor, which leaves no room to doubt that a deep interest is felt by many in the community, in subjects of this nature; and that the materials exist, in various stages of preparation, as the fruit of personal exertions, for enriching the collections of a general Depository; and thereby leading to a more extensive diffusion of the facts and documents, out of which this branch of Literature in our country has yet to be principally created. The Periodical to be issued by this Society, will be one important means of accomplishing the end in view. It will comprehend such materials as the following; namely,
1. Biographical Memoirs, Sketches, and Notices of Persons who came to North America, especially to New England, before Anno Domini 1700; showing from what places in Europe they came, their families there, and their descendants in this country;
2. Full and minute Genealogical Memoirs and Tables, showing the lineage and descent of Families, from the earliest dates to which they can be authentically traced, down to the present time, with their branches and connections;
3. Tables of Longevity, Statistical and Biographical, Accounts of Attorneys, Physicians, Ministers and Churches of all denominations, of Graduates at Colleges, Governors, Senators and Representatives in Congress, Military Officers, Merchants, and other persons of distinction; and occasionally entire Tracts, which have become rare and of permanent Historical value;
4. Lists of Names, found in ancient documents, such especially as were engaged in any honorable public service; also the documents themselves, when they may contain any important facts illustrative of the lives and actions of individuals;
5. Descriptions of the Costumes, Dwellings, and Utensils of various kinds, belonging to the earliest times to which the Ancestry of Families may be traced; to be accompanied, when practicable, with drawings or engravings;
6. Ancient Inscriptions and Epitaphs, with descriptions of Cemeteries, Monuments, Tombs, Tablets; also, extracts from the Town and Parish Records of New England;
7. Descriptions of Armorial Bearings, and of other Heraldic devices, occasionally emblazoned, with sufficient explanations of the principles and terms of Heraldry.
The Publication will embrace many other materials of a Miscellaneous and Statistical character, more or less connected with its main design; which, it is believed, will contribute to render it interesting to intelligent persons of every class in the community.