Friday, October 21, 2011

Blaney - Washington County Area

I have been trying to find the true death date for a family member John Lindsay Blaney a longtime resident of the Woodland Community in Baileyville. He was a well known blacksmith who worked for the St. Croix paper company making and repairing tools. He also worked on his own making fine razors, knives, and axes for local residents. He was born 10 Dec 1881 in Little Ridgeton, NB in Canada and immigrated to Maine on 26 Apr 1907. He was married to Edna Elizabeth Clark.

I have a death date of 12 March 1943 but his grave marker in the St. Stephen Rural Cemetery in St. Stephen , NB is marked 1945. I have paid the state of Maine archives $45 and they tell me there is no record of his death. I find that hard to believe and have asked the St. Croix Public Library to see if they have a record of the obituary in 1943 or 1945 (not an online record) with no word yet.

Do you have any suggestions on how to find his true date of death. I have copies of death certificates for both his daughters and his wife. I find it hard to believe there is no record in the State of Maine Archives for the death of John Lindsay Blaney.

Robert Munroe, Dallas , TX

Ames Family

Seeking parents and wife of Joseph Ames (b. abt 1775, d. aft. 1832), lived in Bradford, Maine in 1820 and 1830. He probably lived near Sullivan, Hancock, Maine ca. 1810. Believe that he is father of Mary Ames (b. 1808), Rev Moses Ames (b 1812, Sullivan) and four children in Bradford including James Kenniston Ames (b. 1822). Later census records from children indicate NH and MA as possible birthplaces for Joseph. His wife was born in Maine. -- Dave Drabold -- email: drabold@ohio.edu; 240 N Congress St, Athens, OH 45701

--
D. A. Drabold
Distinguished Professor
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
http://www.phy.ohiou.edu/~drabold
drabold@ohio.edu
(740) 593-1715

Brant Family - Portland, ME area

I am hoping you may be able to help me with an inquiry….

My name: Tracey L. Brant
My phone: 607-279-0494

Person of Interest: my mother, Dorothy L. Brant (maiden: Ambrose); married to Maynard W. Brant, Jr.

I am looking for a newspaper article from the early 1960’s (1964, 65 or 66) – we lived in Portland, ME at the time. My mother was driving her car and a child ran out in front of the car and was killed. I do not believe any charges were filed as the child suffered a mental illness.

I am seeking the article for personal reasons as I was riding in the car (as was my brother Michael W. Brant), and also to help offer my mother some peace.

Thank you for any assistance you are able to offer.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Why or Why Don't You Attend A Conference?

Last Saturday September 24th Maine Genealogical Society held a day long conference in Bangor, ME. We had a good turnout, it wasn't exceptional but the numbers were good. The evaluations came back and seemed like the attendees and even the vendors were happy that day. But still when you work hard all year in the background to put on one of these conferences it still makes you wonder why more people didn't come.

Was it the speakers? The location? The topics? Or was it due to the economy? Another thought came to mind was it due to the fact more and more people are doing their genealogy online. After all more and more information is out there on subscription sites or for free. You can even learn more about genealogy with videos on various sites such as YouTube, Scribd, etc.

So I am asking our readers to send me their thoughts. I would really like to know and I would like to share what I find with my fellow conference committee members. I am not trying to brag but we do work hard for you our fellow genealogists, and by giving us your thoughts and comments we can only make it better. So how about it?