Biography for Waldo Chamberlain Sprague (1903-1960)

Waldo Chamberlain Sprague, was the compiler of “Genealogy of the Families of Braintree, Mass. 1640-1850, including the modern towns of Randolph and Holbrook and the City of Quincy after their separation from Braintree in 1792-3”. “Waldo Gwylliam Sprague” was borb in the Wollaston neighborhood of Quincy, Massachusetts, on May 10, 1903, the son of engraver Frank H. Sprague and Anne L. Jones. As a young man, Sprague attended Thayer Academy and received his A.B. from Harvard University in 1925. He worked for the architectural firm of Coolidge, Shepley, Bulfinch & Abbott, as well as other architectural firms for several years. He later worked for the Quincy City Hospital from 1932-55. Sprague was the historian general for the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, president of the Quincy Historical Society from 1941-44, and a life member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. He was also affiliated with the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, the Genealogical Society of London, and the Plimouth Society.

Sprague’s pursuit of genealogy and history began in 1934; involvement with his hometown historical society sparked his interest in families from the original town of Braintree. In 1947 he began work on a major project that would last the rest of his days.

Waldo Chamberlain Sprague died at Quincy on July 21, 1960 at the age of fifty-seven, leaving a legacy of Braintree research for future generations to utilize. In his will Sprague left this massive collection to the NEHGS archives.

David Allen Lambert, NEHGS Online Genealogist