MGS Fall Conference Saturday Sept 22nd

The Maine Genealogical Society has a full day of educational lectures planned for this year's annual genealogical conference, including a variety of topics for a variety of interests and experience levels. We start the day with an interesting keynote address by Ted Steele discussing family stories and "Did it Really Happen That Way?" The rest of the day's lectures consist of three sets of breakout sessions, all interesting and sometimes difficult to choose between. There will be vendors and exhibitors on hand, all of whom we encourage you to visit and support. A Query Board will be available for anyone interested in posting a query. This has been a popular spot in past conferences! Bring your query and you may find a connection! New at this year's conference will be "topic tables" at lunch time with several topics planned. You can also take a table without a topic and start your own conversation with other attendees. As always you will be able to purchase MGS Special Publications at the conference which is a GREAT way to save on shipping costs. And don't forget, in addition to saving on shipping, if you are an MGS member, you already receive an additional discount off the retail price of the publication, so if you're not a member, consider joining with your conference registration to take advantage of all the benefits of being a member of the Maine Genealogical Society. Our Main Speaker - Ted Steele. Day At A Glance 8:00-9:00 Registration, Vendors and Exhibitors are open 9:00-10:30 Welcome Address by Jack Battick Awards Presentation Keynote Address by Ted Steele Family Stories: Did It Really Happen That Way? Several actual examples will be used to illustrate issues such as conflicting evidence, secondary sources and mis-identifications. With each story we will learn what the document(s) said and what was wrong, concluding with "lessons learned." 10:45-11:45 Breakout Session 1 a. Using A Library Effectively -- Ted Steele This talk points our some of the resources researchers might pass up when using a library b. Using Tax Records In Genealogy - How Taxes Can Be A Good Thing - Dr. Carol McCoy In early America people were taxed for a number of reasons. Learn aboout the types of tax records available, where to find them, and how they can help solve genealogy problems. 12:00-1:30 Luncheon, Vendor Time and Topic Tables 1:30-2:15 MGS Annual Meeting or Vendor Time 2:15-3:15 Breakout Session 2 a. Genealogy and the Law - Helen Shaw, CG The law affected the lives of our ancestors in many ways and varies widely from state to state and over time. Learn how to find those laws and how they can help you in your research. b. Genealogical Holdings of the Maine State Library - Emily Schroeder, MLS This talk will outline the genealogical collections, services, and databases offered by the Maine State Library, mainly through a Powerpoint presentation. It will also illustrate their website and its features. 3:30-4:30 Breakout Session 3 a. Using Gazateers and Maps in Your Genealogical Research - Ted Steele This is a survey talk, using some published gazateers and information in them, illustrated with the addition of a variety of maps to add geographic detail to your research b. Maine Horse Soldiers in the Civil War - Steve Bunker Maine's cavalry regiments in the Civil War were exceptional. This presentation will be about their organization and some of the notable people who served in the Maine cavalry regiments 4:45-5:00 Closing remarks & Drawing of Door Prizes

Nathaniel Simmons

SIMMONS Seeking proof for Mayflower Society on birth of Nathaniel SIMMONS (b. 3 Oct 1820 East Bangor, ME, d. 21 June 1897 York, NE) He was the fourth child of Luther SIMMONS and Berthia TOOTHAKER, m. 23 Mar 1807 at Isleboro, ME. Also seeking any information as to the demise/death/burial of Luther SIMMONS, sometime 1820-1826, his widow remarries in the summer of 1826. He was born 17 April 1779 at Hungry Island, ME and appears in the 1800 and 1810 Federal census at Waldoborough, and in the 1820 census at Hancock, and appears in the tax rolls at Searsmont in 1815. Joel Simmons 12745 SW Camelia St, Beaverton, OR 97005 Joel Simmons, MGS #4608