. Tracing ancestors in Lowell, Massachusetts online and for free has been greatly enhanced by the University of Massachusetts in Lowell which has provided digitized version of a large quantity of the Lowell public records. 1st Report of the Free Public Library Commission of Massachusetts. "Lowell's saints and sinners of the 19th century" Proudly powered by Weebly. Joseph’s Church is established to serve the growing French-Canadian community.Lowell holds its first celebration of St. Jean-Baptiste Day at St. Joseph’s Church.Memorial Day is observed in Lowell for the first time.On December 4, General Ulysses S. Grant visits Lowell.In December, the Old Residents’ Historical Association is established.A smallpox epidemic leads to the death of 178 Lowell residents.On December 9, the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia visits Lowell.The first French-Canadian to be elected to public office in Lowell, Samuel P. Marin, is elected to the City Council.A fire at Wamesit Mills causes $40,000 worth of damage.The Pawtucketville and Middlesex Village are annexed to Lowell.The First Portuguese boardinghouse in Lowell opens.On June 8, Brazilian Emperor Dom Pedro visits Lowell.The First annual regatta of Vesper Boat Club is held.Charles Cowley’s History of the County of Middlesex published in the Middlesex County Manual.Dr. H. Guillet establishes the L’Abeille, the first Franco-American daily newspaper in the United States.The first Irish mayor of Lowell, John J. Donovan, is elected.The St. Joseph’s School opens in Lowell, which is the first Franco-American school in the diocese.The City Council vote to make City Library free, and to open a free reading room.The New England Telephone and Telegraph Company is organized.Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church is constructed on Meadowcraft Street.The first issue of L’Etoile, a French-Canadian newspaper, is printed.On April 1, Lowell celebrates its semi – centennial of its incorporation as a city.L’Union St. Joseph builds headquarters at 266 Dutton Street.Middlesex Safe Deposit and Trust Company is incorporated.The Lowell and Dracut Street Railway Company is chartered.The J. H. Guillet, Lowell’s first Franco-American lawyer, is admitted to bar.On July 17, the Horse Railroad Stable burns with 117 horses and 31 cars inside.On August 15, President Benjamin Harrison visits Lowell.The corner stones of new City Hall and Memorial Hall are laid.The Public Market and Packing Company is incorporated.Greek immigrants begin working in the Lowell textile mills.The Massachusetts Mohair Plush Company is incorporated.A Grand reception for three Civil War generals, Nathaniel P. Banks, Daniel Sickles, and Benjamin Butler, is held.The cornerstone of the Odd Fellows Building is laid.The Post Office on the corner Appleton & Gorham is constructed.On January 11, General Benjamin Butler dies and his body lies in state at Huntington Hall before being buried at Hildreth Cemetery.The Saint Joseph’s Roman Catholic College for Boys is constructed on Merrimack Street.A French-Canadian High School for boys is established.On October 14, the New Lowell City Hall is dedicated.The Electric Trolley System in Lowell is established.The Merrimack Croquet Company, Courier-Citizen Company and Fifield Tool Company is incorporated.The Lowell chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution is established.The Merrimack Woolen Mills Company is incorporated.The new Lawrence Street Railroad bridge is completed.The Grace Universalist Church is dedicated on Princeton Boulevard.The Moody Street Bridge and new County Court House are completed.The Lowell Manufacturing Company is sold to Bigelow Carpet Company.The Sons of Montefiore Synagogue is constructed on Howard Street.St.