By Judy Wakefield
Joan Silva Patrakis — townie, historian — says she's on a quest. Years ago she was so curious about her hometown in years past that she inventoried all of the names in South and West Parish Church cemeteries to answer that one question: Who were these people?
Patrakis prefers the people side of historical stories.
Her first book has just been published and it's about the men from Andover who served during the Civil War.
"It's just fascinating for me to research people," the town native said. "I'm on a quest. That's what research is to me."
Her 128-page paperback book, "Andover in the Civil War: The Spirit and Sacrifice of a New England Town" ($21.99, Historical Press), talks about how Andover responded to the Civil War and how everyday folks were affected by it. She will discuss and sign copies on Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Andover Historical Society, 97 Main St.
Her research shows that the Andover Light Infantry was the military company formed in Andover at the start of the Civil War. It was sent to Fort Warren on Georges Island, Boston, where it was mustered into the 14th Massachusetts Regiment as Company H. From Fort Warren, the 14th Regiment was sent off to the Virginia war front.
The 14th regiment's assignment at the war front was to guard the city of Washington. For 2 1รขÑ2 years the Andover boys were assigned to the forts in Virginia.
Company H, Andover, was one of 10 companies from the towns of Essex County that made up the 14th Massachusetts Regiment. The 14th Mass. Regiment eventually was designated as the 1st Mass. Heavy Artillery.
"I just really enjoy researching names and families and I am most interested in Andover's involvement," said Silva Patrakis, an active volunteer at the Andover Historical Society since 1978.
She said she researched letters, memoirs, regimental history and diaries for information in her book. She said she has been researching historical information for her book "off and on" for 20 years.
Inspired by Ken Burns' documentary about the Civil War, she stuck with her research and slowly put the book together.
Now retired, Silva Patrakis formerly worked for the Women's Resource Network at Northern Essex Community College where she earned an associate degree. She went on to Lesley College, earning a bachelor's degree in American studies.
She said the book's purpose is to offer a glimpse of what the town of Andover was like during the Civil War. In 50 years or so, she hopes future historians reach for it to get a glimpse of Andover all those years ago.
