The National Trust for Historic Preservation defines heritage tourism as “traveling to experience the places, artifacts and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present.” Ipswich is the country’s best-preserved Puritan town, and its residents have been the proud custodians of its history. Many people trace their roots back through several generations to Ipswich, one of the earliest towns in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, to “walk in the footsteps of their forefathers.”

Online Resources:
- Ipswich In the Massachusetts Bay Colony by Thomas Franklin Waters. Online through Archive.org. Use the search feature on the site to find any mention of an Ipswich inhabitant.
- Early Inhabitants of Ipswich: An alphabetical listing of early inhabitants of Ipswich, their families, and related information. Online through Archive.org
- Vital Records to 1850: Births, Deaths and Marriages, listed alphabetically by family name.
- Native American heritage Articles by Mary Ellen Lepionka
- Ipswich Burying Grounds: Ipswich cemeteries dating as far back as 1633. Alphabetical listings of interments linked to photos and the FindaGrave site. Location maps for graves at the Old North Burying Ground, South Cemetery and Linebrook Cemetery sites.
- Tombstones of the settlers of Ipswich: gravestones and surviving houses.
- Memento Mori: Alphabetical listing of interments and inscriptions at the Old North Buying Ground,






Mr. Harris,
My wife and I visitedIpswich in September 2016 and loved every minute we were there. I’vespent years exploring my genealogy roots and have known for some time thatGiles Birdley, (Burley Burleigh) came to Ipswich around 1640 and died there in1668. He is my 7x great-grandfather and is the main reason I visitedIpswich.
During our visit my wifeand I spent many hours exploring The Old North Burying Ground hoping to findhis grave site. We never found it, and I was wondering if there isanother place we should have looked?
By the way, sincevisiting Ipswich, I’ve enjoyed your Historic Ipswich onlinestories and articles. Thank you for all you do to keep Ipswich’shistory alive and accessible to everyone.
Sincerely,
William Burley
I don’t have a record of Giles Burley’s grave, but there are three others in the Old North Burying Ground at https://historicipswich.org/ipswich-old-north-burying-ground/
Burley, Andrew d-158 February 1, 1718
Burley, John c-8 December 26, 1742
Burley, Lydia Pingry c-6 August 26, 1736
My husband and I want to visit the are next spring.my ancestors the Story’s lived there
The Story family settled in Chebacco, the part of Ipswich that is now Essex, MA. You can see their houses on our site at https://historicipswich.org/2016/10/18/historic-houses-of-essex-ma/
I visited Ipswich several years ago while during genealogy research in Essex County and thoroughly enjoyed the early houses, the cemeteries, and the history. My Lovering ancestors lived there for several generations. I also really enjoy your posts. You do a fantastic job of educating those of us interested in Ipswich history.
I just love that locally brewed Ipswich beer , it tastes more like a Canadian full bodied beer
I would love to visit someday! 9th great grandfather, Palmer Tingley, was granted 8 acres for service in the Pequot War in 1639. I’d love to be able to trace where the land was and see if I can find out more about him. I’m excited with all of the research material mentioned in your article. I inquired about him at the Historical Society a few years ago – never heard anything back. Such is life – I’m sure they are busy. Another oddity, I went to Marietta College. The name Putnam is all over the place, but at the time I wasn’t aware of the connection. Small world!
Thank you so much for this article!
https://archive.org/stream/ipswichinmassach00water#page/125/mode/1up/search/tingley Palmer Tingley
WOW! Thank you so much!
i visited ipswich in may 2017. i am a direct descendant of john cogswell. i visited cogswell’s grant and many other places. i loved my time in ipswich. i hope to return sometime.
sandy harrigan
I did a talk at the Ipswich Museum two years ago on the topic of family history, with the slant on
visiting those places that one’s ancestors came from – walking those paths, going to those
churches, breathing that air and listening to the accents gives you some insight into their lives that you
don’t get by merely doing genealogical charts.
Field trips, especially to other countries, can be greatly rewarding!!.
I will visit Ipswich for the first time next September 24, 2018. My 8 x Great Grandfather was Lieutenant Thomas Burnham who arrived on the Angel Gabriel. The next 7 generations of Burnhams were obviously proud of the name. When my Grandma got married and lost her Burnham surname, she kept the name alive by giving my father, Colonel Charles Burnham Milliken, the middle name Burnham. Growing up, family referred to him as just “Burnham.” My dad was General George Patton’s finance officer during WWII, reporting to his Chief of Staff. He named my older brother (d. 1959) Robert Burnham Milliken. When my daughter had a Grandson last summer she asked me for a list of interesting names from our family tree, and from that list she chose to name him Ethan Thomas Doan, after Lt. Thomas Burnham. Anyone want to meet me and my wife for coffee the morning of Sept 24, before we spend the day exploring the Ipswich area?
I suggest you post this to the Historic Ipswich Facebook group, which has over 700 members. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ipswichhistory/
My grandfather was Fenton Burnham Weaver born in Elmira, NY. I have a copy of the genealogy of the Burnham family.
Janice, would you be willing to email the Burnham geneology to me? If so, my email is douglasamilliken@gmail.com Thanks, Doug