Edward Holden, Genealogist at the N.H. State Library, announced his retirement as of February 24, 2006. Mr. Holden began his service with this library in 1981.

The following article about him appeared in the August 1997 volume of Granite State Libraries:

"Edward Holden was born in Michigan and moved to New Hampshire when he was only 3 years old. He went to high school in New Jersey and from there to the Aroostock State Normal School at Presque Isle, Maine. His studies were interrupted by the Second World War during which he served three years in the Air Force. While he was in the service, Mr. Holden earned the equivalent of two years of college at Hamilton (N.Y.) College in 48 weeks, with a major in math and a minor in physics. When he returned to civilian life, the adaptable and multifaceted Mr. Holden earned his BA degree from Boston University with concentrations in English and Social Studies.

For five years he taught physics at the high school in Presque Isle. From there he moved to Greenwich, Connecticut where he taught U.S. History and became principal of the junior high school. Following his retirement from teaching in Connecticut, Mr. Holden moved to New Hampshire where he taught physics at Pembroke Academy, before a sojourn in Richmond, Virginia where he taught both math and physics. He returned to the Granite State, taught computer courses at Henniker High School, and worked part-time at the Geisel Library at St. Anselm College. Somehow or other, the industrious Mr. Holden found time to volunteer at the Bedford Public Library while working as a volunteer genealogist at the State Library. He worked in that capacity from 1971 until earlier this year when he became a paid part-time member of the staff. Mr. Holden is the editor of The Shallop, New Hampshire Mayflower Society Newsletter; an active member of the New Hampshire Society of Genealogists; a director on the Committee to Preserve the Documentary Heritage of New Hampshire; and a regular instructor of Elderhostel students on genealogical resources in New Hampshire."

Mr. Holden's assistance to N.H. State Library staff members and to library patrons will be greatly missed. His knowledge of history and the discipline of genealogical research, as well as his cheerful countenance and his indefatigable attention to detail served him well in his tenure as State Library Genealogist for 25 years. We wish him a fond farewell.