Maine Genealogical Society

In Response to "Letter Writing Month"

2012-01-24T09:19:00.000-05:00

My father died when I was eleven years old and his mother had died when he was one. The only thing I knew of my paternal grandmother was her name: Edna Burtt. She died in Lynn, MA in 1910. I contacted the City Hall there for her death certificate. It stated she had been born in Lynn, but nothing was said about her parents. I requested her birth certificate. There was none on record.

About this time, I received a letter from an older cousin in reply to a letter I'd written to her. I had asked if she knew anything more about Edna Burtt. She had no more information other than, "They called her Victoria." I asked Lynn, MA for a birth certificate for Victoria Burtt and at the same time asked for a birth cerificate of my father.

No birth certificate for Victoria Burtt. Upon looking at my father's birth certificate, I discovered his mother Edna Burtt Spinney had been born in New Brunswick, Canada. Based upon her age at death, she had been born in 1880. Through the Ellsworth Public Library, I received the 1881 New Brunswick Census microfilm. There, I found Victoria Burtt aged 1 living with her father Hathaway Burtt (later found in the Lynn Census) and mother Lucetta.

Following the Burtt genealogy, I discovered that one ancestor fought for the British in New York. An earlier ancestor had been captured in Connecticut by Indians and taken to Canada. As he was coming back to the Colonies with his wife aboard a ship, his wife gave birth to a son whom they named Seaborn Burtt since he was born at sea. Had it not been for my cousin who offered the tid-bit "They called her Victoria" I would likely still be looking for Edna Burtt in Canada.

Richard Spinney
MGS Treasurer

January is Letter Writing Month

2012-01-23T13:35:00.000-05:00

Do you remember "back in the day" when we actually mailed a letter of inquiry to a distant or not so distant relative for information on your family history? Well today most of us connect by using Email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

But not everyone is "connected" in that way. A letter whether handwritten or typed is a more personal touch and can often times elicit a response faster than Email (is there really such a thing?). Another idea is to enclose a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope) to make it easier for them to respond.

Besides relatives, you can still write to Courthouses, Libraries, Town Offices, etc. that you can't do by Email. Technology is here to stay but a good "old fashioned" letter written carefully with courtesy and respect will go a long way and help act as your own PR agent.

Electronic messages can be convenient and useful, but they lack the personal touch that comes from holding a hand-written note or card in your hand. Even the most heartfelt message loses some of its effectiveness when the recipient has to read it on an electronic screen.

Maine Genealogical Society Dues for 2012

2012-01-23T13:01:00.001-05:00

If you haven't already paid your 2012 dues yet, now is the time to think about it before the second notice goes out.

Message from the MGS Membership Secretary: Time to Renew Your MGS Membership for 2012

It's time to renew your membership and pay your dues for 2012. Current members will be receiving their postcard reminders very soon. At the Fall Conference in Bangor, the members voted to raise the dues by $5.00 to $25.00 to cover the increasing costs of postage and printing. This will send your publications via bulk rate mail. If you want them a bit sooner, add $5.00 for First Class mail delivery.

Please mail your renewals and new memberships to:
Maine Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 221, Farmington, ME 04938

Membership renewal (standard mail) $25.00

Add First Class Postage U.S. (optional*) (mail arrives sooner) $5.00

Canada (U.S. Funds required) $9.00

Foreign (U.S. Funds required) $14.00

Freeman Family

2012-01-18T10:50:00.000-05:00

Looking for informaion on a Jacob Freeman show name change in 1835 from Toothaker to Freeman. I show married to either a Mary Toothaker or a Mary Hodgkins and the father to Andrew Jackson Freeman. I am trying to trace lineage further back if I can and kind of drawing a blank wall at this stage. Jacob Freeman had his name changed from Toothaker to Freeman in 1835 and I have him married to Mary Hodgkins 23 Nov of that year.

Other relative would be James Smith married to Harriet B. Horton and I just can't trace back on the Smith male side of the family. I don't even have dates or places of birth, and death for these two individuals. Information I can obtain is very scimpy from this end. Being in Nevada and from Maine is quite a distance. My mother was Nellie L. and as I stated was a daughter of Harry. She married Everett W. Freeman in 1933.

need to have any information Helen Hansen married to Harrry Leslie Smith around 1926 Milo or that area had three children Margarite C. Smith, Leslie Smith and a third child it would be a daughter and would need date of birth, name and place of birth if available. My mother was a daughter of Harry and by a different marriage, these would be step sisters and step brother to her and my half nephew and half neices I think. Harry died in Milo in 1968 at age 91.

Thanks, Ronald Freeman at ronfree3@hotmail.com

March Workshop in Toronto – Finding Your Great War Ancestors

2012-01-18T10:33:00.000-05:00

Registration is now open for what may be the most authoritative Great War workshop during your genealogical lifetime! Don’t miss Finding Your Great War Ancestors, a packed full-day workshop to be held in March 2012 in Toronto, co-sponsored by the Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society and the Canadiana Department of North York Central Library. Choose one of three concurrent lecture streams – British Research, Canadian Research and “Case Studies and Curios” – or mix and match the topics that interest you the most. Learn from some of the world’s leading Great War experts, including Simon Fowler, one of Britain’s top family history teachers, writers and researchers, and Canadian War Museum historian and author Tim Cook. Discover new resources and practical research strategies, find out about intriguing projects now underway, experience poignant and sometimes shocking stories, and gain new perspectives on the “war to end war”.

Where: North York Memorial Community Hall, 5110 Yonge Street, Toronto (at North York Centre subway station)

When: Saturday 31 March 2012

Early registration rates apply until 22 February 2012, and special discounts are available for OGS members. For full program details, speaker biographies and registration information, visit www.torontofamilyhistory.org/GreatWarWorkshop2012.html.

Many thanks for helping to spread the word about our family history activities.

Gwyneth Pearce
publicity@torontofamilyhistory.org
Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society
Now on Facebook and Twitter @TOFamilyHistory

Atkinson

2012-01-18T10:29:00.000-05:00

Need proof that Thomas ATKINSON and Lydia Norris are the parents of Cyrus Foss ATKINSON b. abt. 1807 probably in Wayne, Kennebec County, Maine. Thomas moved to Montville, Waldo County after 1810 and died there abt. 1835. Cyrus moved from Montville to Burnham, Waldo County circa 1833 where he lived until 1866 when he moved to Pierce County, Wisconsin.

Linda Atkinson
e-mail lindaatkinson72@comcast.net
133 Bordeaux Court, Woodbury, MN 55125

Seeking information on Nathan Marcellus Bragg, son of George Bragg

2012-01-18T10:18:00.000-05:00

Nathan was born in Dixmont, Maine March 8, 1850/51. He married Anna Marsh in 1872 and married Emma (Emily) F. Cates in 1876...I believe he was a fish peddler. He died in Palmyra, Somerset County, Maine in 1903.

If anyone knows anything regarding this man, please contact me at:
Waybo54@aol.com.

Thanks in advance for your thoughtfulness.
Bob Pratt
Waybo54@aol.com

Parentage of Amos Emerson Wanter

2011-12-21T15:29:00.002-05:00

I would like to learn who the parents of Amos EMERSON were. Amos was born ca. 1805 in Maine. He migrated in the 1830's to Randolph County, IL where he worked as a cooper.

Lloyd Emerson, #4552
lemerson@ritternet.com

My Genealogical Wishes For You

2011-12-17T10:15:00.002-05:00

This was written by Diane Lyn Tibert of the Times & Transcript, A Canada East Archive
Below are my genealogical wishes for my readers. Diane Lynn Tibert is a freelance writer based in central Nova Scotia. She blogs (http://dianetibert.com) about writing, genealogy and whatever else comes to mind. Submit a query. It's free! 1787 Highway 2, Milford, Hants County, N.S., B0N 1Y0; or email: tibert@ns.sympatico.ca

* I wish for you to find a wrecking ball in 2012 that knocks down a major brick wall blocking your path to unearthing a piece of information that exposes a branch of your tree that has been kept buried for years. May the opening be large enough to see into several generations.

* I wish for you to take a trip to a place you've never gone and discover a long lost headstone you've been seeking for years. May it still stand with a flawless inscription that provides all the vital information, including the deceased's country of origin and a wee tale of why they came to Canada. I wish you clear passage to it and an insect bite-free visit.

* I wish for you to taste a dish rediscovered from your childhood, a recipe your great-grandmother had made for you and passed down through the family.

* I wish for you a hassle-free year with no technological malfunctions, computer crashes or software glitches. May all your genealogy programs run smoothly and just the way you expected them to operate.

* I wish for you to open your e-mail, pick up the phone or receive a letter from a distant cousin in a family line you have very little information on. Not only does this cousin have well-documented research, she's willing to share with you.

* I wish for you to uncover a photo of an ancestor, one you never knew existed and it's so old, it's on tin. May it reveal facts that until then were a mystery.

* I wish for you to easily find that elusive ancestor, perhaps the one who changed their name, while searching census records.

* I wish for your ship to come in and you find the name of the vessel and the passenger list detailing your ancestors' arrival in Canada. With a little luck, a picture will also be found of the ship to add to your family history.

* I wish for you to come into possession of a stack of letters. The yellowing envelopes contain love letters between your great-grandparents when during the First World War he was a soldier serving overseas and she was living at home with her parents.

* I wish for you heavy reading when out-of-the-blue, you discover a mysterious ancestor kept a journal of his trip from the old country to Canada, detailing the immediate family left behind and those born in his new country.

This creative person also liked to sketch and did his best to capture his family and surroundings within the journal pages.

* I wish for you to be able to track down the missing birth, marriage and death records that have been dodging you in your research.

* Ultimately, I wish for you good health, happy times and many hours of productive research. From my family tree to yours, may your holidays be merry and bright.

McGuire and Denning Query

2011-11-18T12:36:00.000-05:00

Seeking the marriage of CHARLES McGUIRE and ELLEN DENNING. Charles emigrated in 1837 from Fivemile Town in Ireland to Machias, Maine . Charles d.1889. Ellen d.1894

Mike McGuire
E-Mail: mikmcgc21@aol.com

Coane (Cone) - McPhetres (Givens) Query

2011-11-05T11:45:00.000-04:00

Seeking parents of Mary Coane (b. abt. 1813, Maine), married Warren McPhetres (1835 in Lincoln, Penobscot, Maine). She is likely connected to William Cone (b 1788, Maine) who was living with daughter Martha McPhetres (Givens) in 1870 census. Mary and Warren had substantial family in Lowell, two sons were killed in the Civil War (John V and Warren A).

Any help appreciated.
David Drabold, Athens, Ohio,
ddrabold@gmail.com

Blaney - Washington County Area

2011-10-21T11:26:00.002-04:00

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

2011-10-21T11:20:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-21T11:05:00.000-04:00

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.

Why or Why Don't You Attend A Conference?

2011-10-02T15:38:00.001-04:00

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?

Ancestor Roundtable Feature at MGS Conference

2011-09-18T11:14:00.000-04:00

The Ancestor Roundtable's schedule for the day of the MGS Fall 2011 Conference:

Schedule:
9 am – 945 am Bob Chenard “Your Quebec Ancestors”
10 am – 1045 am Carolyn Kelley “DAR”
11 am – 1145 am Roland Rhoades “Leavitt Family and Family Associations”
1215 pm – 1 pm Helen Shaw “Basic Genealogy”
115 pm – 2 pm Wayne Bennett “Civil War”
215 pm – 315 pm Will Haskell “Internet Search Tips, Technology and Software”

These sessions will be held in the Vendor Area as a third alternative to the sessions already taking place. Come and sit a spell and ask your questions.

Pejepscot Genealogy Society Meeting

2011-09-08T08:12:00.000-04:00

The first fall meeting of the Pejepscot Genealogy Society will be held in
the Morrell Meeting Room of the Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick, Maine
on Sunday, September 11 at 2PM.

The speaker will be one of the Society members, Carol McCoy, Ph.D.
The title of her program is: “Using Tax Records in Genealogy—How
Taxes Can Be a Good Thing”.

Most of us dread April 15th, but old tax records provide valuable clues
to our ancestors’ lives. In the early days of America people were taxed
on their property, Collected taxes were used to repair and build roads,
to support the military and to provide revenue for many reasons. Learn
about the types of tax records that may be available, where to look for
them, and how they can help you solve genealogy problems.

Dr. McCoy is a Brunswick resident and President of Find-Your-Roots and
McCoy Consulting. She has been tracing her family history for 25 years.
Dr. McCoy enjoys solving mysteries, discovering solid evidence to prove
relationships, finding new family members for people, collecting
interesting details of ancestral lines and creating a readable and
interesting family history report for others.

Discounts on Silhouettes at MGS Fall Conference

2011-09-02T11:17:00.000-04:00

A substantial discount is being offered for anyone who makes an advance reservation with Ruth Monsell of Artful Heirlooms before the MGS Conference:

A single cut silhouette for just $20 (vs. 2 for $30)

Also a $5 discount on a duplicate silhouette (2 for $25)

And $5 off their choice of any frame.

Please contact Ruth at the toll free number listed below.
Ruth Monsell - ArtfulHeirlooms.com
1-866-212-7288 or (207) 563-2920

Genealogy Fair - Saint John NB

2011-08-23T12:14:00.000-04:00

Location: St. Joachims Church Hall, 603 Loch Lomond Road, Saint John NB

A Genealogy Fair will be held on Saturday October 1, 2011 from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM It is open to everyone with an interest in genealogy. There will be approximately 35 tables of genealogical material, family trees, books, maps, and displays available for viewing.

Members will share genealogial information about the their families from Saint John, Kings, Queens, Charlotte Counties and beyond. Provincial Archives of NB will have several tables of research material for people to use. It will include a Beginner's Corner for those just starting out. Books and other publications available for sale. Lunch service available.

Sponsored by New Brunswick Genealogical Society - Saint John Branch

http://www.nbgssj.ca

Admission Fee - only $ 1.00

Contact: Dave Fraser (506 849 7922) dfraser@nbnet.nb.ca

Eleanor Lamb and John Johnson Query

2011-08-23T12:02:00.000-04:00

Need parents/ancestry of Eleanor Lamb, b. 15 Nov. 1740, d. 20 May 1820 Stroudwater, m. Mar. or 16 Oct. 1764 Falmouth, John Johnson, b. 14 May 1737 Spurwink, s/of James of Scotland.

Nancy Welch #692, 258 High Rd., Dayton, ME 04005

Save the date - TFC Open House September 17th, 2011

2011-08-18T15:09:00.000-04:00

OPEN HOUSE AT GENEALOGY LIBRARY

On Saturday September 17, 2011, the Taconnett Falls Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society will host an OPEN HOUSE from 1 to 4 PM. The library is located at 10 Lithgow St. in Winslow, the former Winslow Public Library. All members and visitors are welcome.

If you are new to genealogy, members with their expertise will help show you how to get started whether you have French, English, Norwegian, etc. ancestry. Forms are available to fill your ancestry out, as well as show you many resources, especially if you have Maine connections.

There will be free light snacks and coffee and visitors can tour the library and view the large number of books and records available for research. Several computers are also available which have many records as well as thousands of obituaries filed in alphabetical order.

At 2 PM the Chapter will hold their giant raffle which has 11 nice prizes. It will be the last chance to buy raffle tickets for this drawing. This is a fund-raiser to help the Chapter pay for heating expenses during the colder months.

The Chapter has a web site at: http://home.gwi.net/~frenchgen/taconnett.htm with a map showing the location of the library is on the above web page.

Please come and visit us.

Help Needed in Finding Information on Men at Fort Kent in 1840

2011-08-02T15:37:00.000-04:00

With the passage of HP 1177 in the last session of the Maine Legislature, trying to identify the members of the various possees and companies has begun. One of the most difficult was to identify the 17 males listed on the 1840 census but not names who were residing at what would become Fort Kent. Now that we have the names, I would like to be able to place them in families. According to a report submitted by George W. Towle to Rufus McIntire (Land Agent for Maine) the following men were at Fort Kent on July 26, 1840:

Name, Employment, Home
Geo H Huston, Guard, Bristol
Chls H. Ellis, Guard, Waterville
Jeremiah McGee, Farming, not given
John Courmier, Farming, not given
Joseph Weizen[Wizen], Farming, Canada
James Peck, Farming, Bangor
B. F. Thurston, Farming, Bangor
Benj. Huff, Farming, not given
James Spaulding, Farming, St. Albans
Daniel Prescott, Cook, not given
Gilman P. Foss, Teamster, Bangor
John Low Jr, stoning wells, Dixmont
H[enry] S. Howe, Blacksmith, Bangor
Moses Rines, Teamster/Stock, Orono/Ft Kent
C. S. Glidden, Overseer, St. Albans
James Hafford, down Green river, St Francis
Azor Baker, Clerk/Commissary, New Gloucester
Henry S Mason, not Given, not given
Miles Emery, not given, St. Francis
Jeremiah Mayo, not given, Athens
John Conway, not given, Madawaska
Benjamin Kraft, not given, Hartland

Note Glidden, Emery and Huston, in a deposition, stated they had arrived at that location the prior October, last and remained until the 25th of July when the report was made.

Any information that can be shared as to either ancestors or descendants as well as the particulars-birth, death, spouses etc. of these men would be greatly appreciated as a data base is being compiled to assist in identifying all those entitled to recognition for the protection of the Northeastern Frontier & should be acknowledged. thanks.

Bertie Williams, Researcher
(email) obnn9119@yahoo.com
The 1837 Foundation of Northern Maine
Proudly Affliated with the Maine Genealogy Society

Another Vendor for the Fall Conference - Creative Memories

2011-07-25T08:56:00.000-04:00

You've spent countless hours researching your family history. Let Creative Memories help you celebrate and share the stories you have uncovered. Cheryl Freye will help you with organization of printed materials, scanned images, and digital photographs. She will help you share your stories with family members using digital Story Books that will last for generations. I will help you preserve your original images in photo-safe albums. She will work with you to find a solution that works for you.

In addition to preserving the stories you have uncovered about your ancestors, take the time now to record the special memories of today that you are creating with your family and friends. This will be the legacy you leave to future generations. I will help you combine your photos and stories to create a truly memorable keepsake. Your photos will not become strangers in a box for someone in the future. They will be alive with the stories of your life. They will be treasured as one of your family's most precious keepsakes. I am here to help you every step of the way. You won't go home with a product and wonder what to do next. Cheryl also teaches people all over the country through personal webinars.

Cheryl would love to talk with you about how she can help you find a solution for all your memory preservation needs. Visit with her during the MGS Fall Conference at the Spectacular Events Center in Bangor on September 24th. For more information on the fall conference go to http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~megs/conference.html

Creative Memories uses the ISO 18902 standard on its packaging to make clear to customers that the product meets or exceeds photo safety specifications. ISO 18902 is more than just a part of our packaging. It represents our commitment to providing information, products and customer service to ensure that your memories will be preserved for future generations. We are the only album manufacturer that we know of that complies with ISO 18902 – the industry’s gold standard for photo-safe album-making supplies. So when you see ISO 18902 on one our products, you can be assured you are getting the best possible photo-safe products. Even better, you’ll know that your albums will safely preserve the weddings, the parties, the rain showers, the messes, and the tears that make up life.

Conference Registration Reminder – Have You Signed Up Yet?

2011-07-20T14:31:00.000-04:00

Join us for the genealogy information sharing event of the year - a chance to make new connections, hear educational lectures, purchase resource materials and maybe breakdown those elusive and stubborn brick walls! Always a chance to learn something new!

The Maine Genealogical Society's 2011 Family History Conference will be held on Saturday, September 24 at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor, ME, just a few miles off I-95. This year’s annual conference will feature six workshops, a national keynote speaker, vendors, exhibitors, publications for sale and a new Ancestors Round Table.

Our featured speaker is Meldon “Mel” Wolfgang III who is the founder and owner of Jonathan Shepard Books. He has been active in the field of genealogy for the past 40 years and is a popular conference speaker. The individual workshop presenters all have professional expertise in their fields – this year’s program includes an author, a professional genealogist, a past president of the US Internet Genealogical Society and a county Registrar of Probate.

Workshop topics include:

Session One - concurrent
A. Beyond the Basics: Tips & Techniques for Using Newspapers in Genealogy Research
B. More Than Wills: Using Probate Records in Genealogy Research

Session Two - concurrent
A. More Than Almshouses and Cold Charity: Exploring Family History in the Records of Public and Private Assistance in New England
B. The Role of Women in the Civil War

Session Three - concurrent
A. Using Social Media in Genealogical Research
B. Often Overlooked: What the Census Tells You Beyond Name and Age

In addition to these workshops, the keynote address by Mel Wolfgang will be Uncommon Research Tools That Can Lead to Uncommonly Good Results.

A new feature of the conference this year will be the Ancestor Round Table – a spot where people can gather to ask questions and/or help with advice or suggestions. Experts in various areas will be available but it will be an ever-changing gathering, so plan to check back often and join in the discussions! Don’t forget to bring your research query to post on the popular query board as well.

Be sure to register soon for this great conference - registration deadline is September 10. Registrations are $40 for MGS members and $50 for non-members. Be sure to register early and share this information with fellow researchers who might be interested in attending.

On Saturday, September 24, the registration table will begin at 8am and the vendors and exhibitors will be open and ready to greet you. Come early to share a cup of coffee, browse the tables and chat with the vendors. There will be a luncheon buffet ($15 a ticket) which will allow plenty of time for networking, making connections and story-sharing. (The best genealogy connection I made personally was during lunch at a conference many years ago – you never know who you will be sharing a table with!) The conference will end at 5:00pm. Be sure to stay until the end for the highly anticipated door prizes! (Note - For those not wanting to participate in the luncheon, there are restaurant options in the local area or you are welcome to bring your own lunch with you for the day.)

Planning to stay over and combine the conference with a research trip? Accommodations are available at the Fairfield Inn on Odlin Road in Bangor with a special conference rate. Reservations must be made by August 24 to obtain the discounted room rate (Hotel phone number is 1-207-990-0001).

For more information on this conference such as a full description of each workshop, biographies of the workshop speakers, full conference schedule, conference brochure and registration form, please visit the website at www.maineroots.org

Hope to see you there! Should you have any questions, please feel free to email us at mainegenealogical@yahoo.com or call Celeste Hyer at 207-627-7147.

And be sure to check us out on Facebook! Remember to “like” Maine Genealogical Society’s Facebook page. We will be posting periodic conference updates here.

Sam Teddy Publishing

2011-07-06T16:20:00.000-04:00

Here is information about another one of the vendors who will be at the fall MGS Conference at the Spectacular Events Center in Bangor on Saturday September 24th, 2011.

Sam Teddy Publishing is the end result of over 20 years’ of genealogical and historical research of Jeffrey A. Linscott, an amateur genealogist, historian and author. Credits to Mr. Linscott include a 1998 reprint of The May-Flower & Her Log, by Azel Ames (Heritage Books, Bowie, MD, softcover, ISBN 0-7884-1070-9, now out of print), and Ohio Soldiers Who Served in the War of 1812 (Genealogical Services, West Jordan, UT, hardcover, ISBN 0-89593-999-1).

Mr. Linscott has also self-published over a dozen family histories and has published The Linscott Herald, a Linscott family newsletter, for over 15 years, and The Whitcomb Wheel, a family newsletter of the Whitcomb family, now in its 5th year.

Sam Teddy Publishing offers high quality paper bound books suitable for any bookshelf. While they predominately publish works of historical or genealogical significance, other venues of writing are also in production.

Why not check them out at http://www.samteddypublishing.com to get a preview before the conference.

Silhouettes to be cut at the Annual MGS Conference in 24 September 2011

2011-07-01T10:41:00.000-04:00

A special offering at the conference this year to be held at the Spectacular Events Center will be traditional, freehand cut silhouettes of children and adults, done with live five minute sittings. Ruth Monsell, professional silhouette artist, will be available to create cut portraits throughout the conference starting at 8 a.m. The venue for silhouette cuttings will be in the Madison Ballroom where conference vendors will be situated.

Although the least expensive form of portraiture, silhouettes can capture an amazing likeness, and are loved for their simplicity, long history and traditional look. Often families have new profiles cut to display alongside much older family silhouettes.

Ruth Monsell, a silhouettist with over 30 years of experience, was invited last year to be the guest speaker for the Pejepscot Genealogical Society, a chapter of MGS, and delivered a talk on the history of the silhouette. She has created profiles at venues ranging from pre-schools to nursing homes. Her bookings include weddings, bicentennials, fairs, museums, and many Historical Societies. She also creates custom logos, hired for corporate events as far away as Las Vegas, and has done profiles of passengers about five international cruise ships.

Silhouette samples may be seen on line at ArtfulHeirlooms.com Silhouettes are priced at $30, which includes two mirror image profiles of each subject in black on 5x7 mats with oval openings. Additional duplicate copies, ideal for gift giving, are just $10 each. Optional framing will be available.

Advance appointments for the sittings are recommended and may be made by phoning 1-866-212-7288. The artist is also able to cut silhouettes of children, pets and people from clear profile photographs.

Presentation of HP1177 - Request for Veterans Status for the Protectors and Defenders of the Northeastern Boundary Dispute aka The Aroostook War

2011-07-01T10:30:00.000-04:00

On Thursday, July 7, 2011 there will be a short ceremony hosted by The 1839 Foundation of Northern Maine and The Passadumkeag Historical Society where we will be presented with a copy of HP1177, requesting Veterans Status from the President and US Congress for the Protectors and Defenders of the Northeastern Boundary Dispute commonly called The Aroostook War.

Cal Innes, the President of the Passadumkeag Historical Society will announce our collaboration. The 1839 Foundation of Northern Maine will have copies of the Sequence of Events and rosters of Capt Porter's company out of Burlington & Capt George Towle's Rifle Company from the 6th Regiment, many of whom were from the Passadumkeag area to identify some of the men we wish to recognize and honor.

Here is one family's story: My ancestors John and Mary Knowlen who had the homestead directly across from the site of the first posse encampment at T 10 R 5 and who's timber rebuilt Fort Fairfield in April of 1839 that I began my quest. John and Mary not only lost their homestead when the state was delinquent in paying for that timber but GAR post 149 in Masardis was called The Knowlen Post because they lost two sons and a third returned crippled from battle wounds during the Civil War. And through it all they didn't whine, complain or blame, they preservered and raised their remaining children and grandchildren to be teachers, civic leaders, active & productive members of society. What you may not recall is the reason they were living in T 10 R 5: John; a young husband and father found himself the head of a large household of siblings while living in Passadumkeag, during the summer of 1828 after his father was murdered and the furs he had been acquiring through his trapping expertise were stolen. Before the estate could be settled, his next two brothers tragically drowned in July 1834 while engaged in driving timber down the Passadumkeag River. The loss of his brothers' assistance forced him to take his wife, two young sons, 12 year old brother, 9 year old sister and head north to start all over again. The family connection to Passadumkeag is a bittersweet one, yet resulted in our connection to Aroostook County that has remained for almost 180 years.

Important Information You Also Need to Know about LD 1781

2011-06-09T12:07:00.000-04:00

From Helen Shaw, CG, MGS member and one who testified at the hearing:

Anyone planning to do research into vital records in Maine town offices will need to bring proof of their identity -- something with a photo: drivers liscence, passport, military ID, etc. They should expect to be asked to fill out a form stating what records they want to access. Right now, I think there is one form for each record they want to look at, but Kathy should be able to tell you more on that. Also, I am not sure if that applies to records before 1892. Again, Kathy should be able to enlighten us.

If they want to access a vital record within the current 100 year closure period they will have to provide proof of relationship to the person(s) whose record(s) they want to access. If someone wants vital records for their parent(s) they will need to bring their birth certificate naming the parents. This means if the researcher is female and has a different married name, she will need her marriage certificate showing the maiden and married name. I suppose if the marriage certificate names her parents that would be sufficient to access their records.

The issue of the state researcher ID card is up in the air. According to current law family members only have to prove the relationship -- they do not need the state card. Anyone else trying to access records within the 100 year closure period will need the state ID card. Beyond that, I have no idea; the rules committee did not finish its work on LD 1781 before LD 258 was passed and I had an e-mail recently from the committee coordinator saying it could be a good while before the committee meets again.

From Kathy Montejo, City Clerk, MGS member and one who attended the LD 1781 meetings:

Yes - forms are available at every town office and forms need to be filled out for any and all records ordered - birth, marriage, death - regardless of the age of the document. There is a standardized form designed by the state clerks association and approved by the state Vitals Office, so I believe every town office is using the same order form. Even if towns have formatted their forms differently, the forms all require the same info (name, date, person acquiring, etc.)

Helen is also correct about the need for family acquiring records other than their own to show documentation on the linkage to that record - their birth certificate for their parent's birth certificate, etc. We just need to see a paper trail for proof of eligibility to obtain the record. The marriage licenses do contain a bride's maiden name and the names of both of her parents, so that is covered.

Provisions of LD 258 explained

2011-06-09T11:57:00.000-04:00

LD 258 is the bill to amend Public Law 601 which last year closed Maine’s vital records for 100 years. It was sponsored by Representative Deborah Sanderson (R, Chelsea). A public hearing on the bill was held on Wednesday, March 2, with the committee work session being held the next day, Thursday, March 3. Testifying at the public hearing in favor of the bill were Helen Shaw, CG, Pam Eagleson, CG, Melinde Sanborn, CG, Anne Thomas (Honorary State Regent, DAR), Peggy O’Kane (reference librarian for the Maine State Library), and several others. Testifying against the bill were Elana Jellison (rule making coordinator for the Maine DHHS, and Dr. Stephen Sears (Maine DHHS). Testifying neither for or against was Kathy Montejo, town clerk for Lewiston and board member of the Maine Genealogical Society.

So, what does LD 258 do to vital records access?

OPEN RECORDS

1. It is now in statute that all vital records before 1892 are open to anyone without restriction. Anyone can buy an informational copy or an official copy on town letterhead. NOTE: Towns may impose their own rules covering access to vital records to include specific days or hours of availability, forms that must be filled out, and personal identification to be provided. However, having state statute saying these early vital records are public records should help immensely.

Note that the exact wording of the law for the following records states that they are open after XX years from the date of the event. The years listed below are a simplification. These records may be accessed at the Vital Records Unit in Augusta or at the applicable municipal office.

2. All birth certificates between 1892 and 1936 are open to anyone without restriction. That upper year will shift as time goes on; the closure period is 75 years. Anyone can buy a non-certified copy. Only people listed in Paragraph 5 can buy a certified copy.

3. All marriage certificates, registrations of domestic partnerships, and certificates for fetal deaths between 1892 and 1961 are open to anyone without restriction. That upper year will shift as time goes on; the closure period is 50 years. Anyone can buy a non-certified copy. Only people listed in Paragraph 5 can buy a certified copy.

4. All deaths certificates between 1892 and 1986 are open to anyone without restriction. That upper year will shift as time goes on; the closure period is 25 years. Anyone can buy a non-certified copy. Only people listed in Paragraph 5 can buy a certified copy.

CLOSED RECORDS

5. Access to birth certificates less than 75 years old. You need to be a family member listed in Paragraph 5 or have a CDC/ODRVS researcher card to look at these records. Only people listed in Paragraph 5 can buy a certified (or non-certified) copy. People with a CDC/ODRVS researcher card can buy a non-certified copy.

6. Access to marriage certificates, registrations of domestic partnerships, or fetal death certificates less than 50 years old. You need to be a family member listed in Paragraph 5 or have a CDC/ODRVS researcher card to look at these records. Only those listed in Paragraph 5 can buy a certified (or non-certified) copy. People with a CDC/ODRVS researcher card can only buy a non-certified copy.

7. Access to death certificates less than 25 years old. You need to be in a family member listed in Paragraph 5 or have a CDC/ODRVS researcher card to look at these records. Only those listed in Paragraph 5 can buy a certified (or non-certified) copy. People with a CDC/ODVRS researcher card can only buy a non-certified copy.

All family members (as listed in Paragraph 5 of the law) must provide documentation of their identity and their relationship to the persons whose vital records are being accessed.

Rules for genealogists (paid or not) who are acting as an agent for a family member listed in Paragraph 5 are still being written and may change. We know so far these genealogists must have a CDC/ODRVS researcher card and that they may buy certified copies of vital records for the client. Also, the client must provide a notarized letter of authorization for the genealogist and documentation of their identity and relationship to the persons whose vital records are being accessed.

Laurendeau, Lorandeau, Laurandeau, etc.

2011-06-04T13:24:00.000-04:00

My name is Jean Laurendeau from Montréal. I own a website which devotes itself has to name and tell the history of our Laurendeau (Lorandeau, Laurandeau, etc.) families.

Laurendeau searching for their ancestors, send me the names of their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. Through the names of their recent ancestors, they have a 99.9% chance of being connected with the first Laurendeau ancestors in Canada.

I hope to read a request from some of your members soon.

Jean Laurendeau, Montréal au Québec
chercheur sur la généalogie et l'histoire des Canadiens-français d'Amérique

auteur du site internet (Website): www.jean-laurendeau.com
Merci d'utiliser notre nouvelle adresse courriel (Email): GenealogieJeanLaurendeau@gmail.com

Vital Records of Wiscasset, Maine Now Available

2011-04-11T19:40:00.002-04:00

The town of Wiscasset is situated on the Sheepscot River in the southeastern part of Lincoln County and is the county seat. The town was first settled in 1663 but the settlement was abandoned during the French and Indian Wars and the King Philip's War in 1675. Not until 1730 did settlers return to the area.

The town was first included in the region called South Precinct of Pownalborough. The town of Pownalborough was incorporated as the twelfth town in Maine on February 13, 1760 and originally included what are now the towns of Wiscasset, Dresden, Alna and Swan Island. Land was set off forming the towns of Dresden and Alna on June 25, 1794 with the name of Pownalborough being retained for the remaining portion until June 10, 1802 when it was then changed to Wiscasset.

Maine Genealogical Society Special Publication No. 66. 640 pages, 24,339 entry Every Name Index; hard cover. 2011.

MGS Member price is $74.95, a discount of $10.00 from the non-member price.

Coming to our workshop on April 23rd? This book, and many others, will be on sale there!

For more information, visit the Special Publications catalog on the MGS website.

Robertson Query

2011-04-10T13:03:00.002-04:00

I’m looking for information on the marriage of Robert Robertson or Hugh Robert Robertson to Mary Richardson or Mary Richardson Grover sometime around 1790-1810 on either Deer Isle, Maine or Sedgwick, Maine or possibly some other town in that area of Hancock County. The Robertson’s supposedly moved to Blue Hill between 1820-1830. Thank you in advance for any help you can send me.

DJ Deans Member 4295
djdeans@roadrunner.com

Not to Late to Register for Federal Records Workshop!

2011-04-10T13:00:00.000-04:00

Have you registered yet for the Maine Genealogical Society Spring workshop?

Using Federal Records in Genealogical Research with John Philip Colletta
Saturday, April 23, 2011, 8am - 4pm
Winslow VFW Banquet & Conference Center

Have questions about how to find your ancestors in the Passenger Arrival Lists? What about finding their allusive naturalization records? Ever thought to use passport applications or Civil War draft registration records in your research?

Come find out more about these types of federal records and others. MGS is pleased to bring another national level genealogy speaker to Maine! Dr. Colletta is one of America's most popular genealogical presenters. Entertaining, knowledgeable and experienced, he has conducted genealogy workshops for over 20 years. He is the author of several books, including They Came in Ships - A Guide to Finding Your Immigrant Ancestor's Arrival Record.

The MGS spring workshop will be held on Saturday, April 23 at the Winslow VFW Banquet & Conference Center. The Conference Center is near Waterville and is located just a few miles from I-95.

Here is a link to the Conference facility website:
http://www.winslowvfw.com/index.php

Registration fee is $40 for MGS members and $50 for non-members. Fees include a luncheon buffet and all workshop materials.

Dr. Colletta’s books will be for sale and he will be available to autograph them for conference attendees. MGS Special Publications will also be available for purchase – a chance to save on shipping costs!

Here is the link for more information and for a registration form: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~megs/

Hope to see you there!

Federal Records Workshop Saturday 23 April 2011

2011-04-10T12:55:00.000-04:00

Are you planning on attending the Maine Genealogical Society Workshop on Saturday the 23rd of April 2011 on Researching Federal Records? Well then you should stop and check the Taconnett Genealogical Library on 10 Lithgow Street in Winslow, ME. The library will be open on Friday April 22nd from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. This library has a great collection and even if you have no specific search objective at this time, you are welcome to stop in and see what's there.

John Franklin McIntosh

2011-04-08T08:10:00.002-04:00

Looking for parents & grandparents of John Franklin McIntosh (b.9Mar1862 in either Calais, ME or NB, Canada - d.11Mar1940 ME). John m. Cora Alice Small (4 children) & Blanche Nay Newell. Father may have been David McIntosh & mother Margaret McCloskey. Who were David’s parents?? Andrew McIntosh & Katherine McKenzie originally from Scotland??

Richard G. McIntosh MGS#4509
21 Rivermeadow Drive
Steep Falls, ME 04085
shirleyanddick01@roadrunner.com

Judkins

2011-04-08T08:05:00.000-04:00

Seeking proof for Mayflower Society on birth of Perry Diman JUDKINS. (b. 30 SEP 1811 Greenwood, ME, d. 18 DEC 1867 in Cambridge, MA) He married 1 JAN 1837 Fanny P. TOWNE (b. 17 MAY 1816 Norway, ME, d. 8 FEB 1903 Oxford, ME, bur Norway Center Cemetery). Perry Diman JUDKINS was the son of Moses JUDKINS (b. c. 1773 IN Hopkinton, NH, d. 1850-60 possibly Greenwood, ME) He m. 6 OCT 1801 Poland, ME, Aphia/Appa PERRY (b. 19 AUG 1783, d. Fayette, ME).

Perry Diman JUDKINS was a blacksmith in Norway, ME for many years. I do not know where he is buried.

Melanie Farmer #1300
email: melanie.farmer@gmail.com

Member Searching for Joseph Leavitt

2011-04-08T07:40:00.000-04:00

Here is one of my most stubborn brick walls. Figured I'd try it from a new angle. I actually have no Smiths as direct ancestors since it is such a rare name, but...My ggg-grandfather Joseph LEAVITT born 18 Oct 1782 probably Brentwood NH married Sarah McALLISTER as her third husband 29 Aug 1803 in Davistown (Montville), then Lincoln Co. Sarah was born about 1772 in Balltown, and married first Joseph SMITH 10 Oct 1790 in Balltown, 2 dau 1790 and 1794. He died 1794-1799 and she m2 Mr CLARK, one dau 1800.

I have found insufficient proof of Joseph Leavitt's ancestry. His parents might be Nehemiah Leavitt b 1738 Brentwood NH who died the same year Joseph was born. Wife Judith Roberts remarried and moved to Royalton VT. Anyway there are many Smiths around this Brentwood family, and in Waterboro where a cousin lived who came from Brentwood. That got me thinking, 200 years ago, WHY would a 20-yr-old Joseph Leavitt marry a 30-yr-old with 3 kids? HOW and WHY would they have met? Usually it was some sort of family introduction. Joseph Leavitt had no parents around. Was Joseph Smith some sort of cousin whose children he wanted to take care of?

So... my question now is: WHO is JOSEPH SMITH of Balltown/Jefferson 1790, and where did he come from? Is anybody sorting out the SMITH family of this area?

Thanks.
Roland Rhoades MGS 1151
Maine Families Genealogist
www.RolandRhoades.com
seeker@maine.rr.com
2010: 30 Years as a Genealogist & 50 Years as a Numismatist

Pejepscot Chapter, MGS - 13 March 2011 Meeting

2011-02-28T16:12:00.000-05:00

March 13, 2011 - 2pm Morrell Meeting Room, Curtis Memorial Library,
Brunswick, ME

PGS President, Brian Bouchard will give a preview of a discussion to be delivered at the 2011 MGS Fall Conference on using community based web sites to accelerate your research and find things you may not have been able to find anywhere else. Build on the research of others and make connections to bring your own research to the next level. We'll not only discuss what these technologies are, but present real-life examples of how they have benefited researchers just like you!

An Act Relating to Access to Vital Records

2011-02-26T16:29:00.000-05:00

LD 258 "An Act Relating to Access to Vital Records" is sponsored by Rep. Deborah Sanderson of Chelsea. It amends LD 1781 [PL 601] which was passed last year and which closed Maine's vital records for 100 years.

Due to the very short time between the public hearing (Wednesday, March 2) and the work session where the bill will be voted on (Thursday, March 3) it is vital that people submit testimony supporting LD 258 via e-mail as soon as possible.

Testimony may be submitted by e-mail to the HHS Committee Clerk, Lisa Cote at:
lisa.cote@legislature.Maine.gov

There is another bill to amend the law, LD 388, which will be presented at the same public hearing. It has a provision to lower the fee for the state researcher identification card to $25 and make it good for 2-years. We do not want any requirement that genealogists buy a special card to access vital records. We already pay to belong to various genealogy and historical societies; membership cards from those organizations should be sufficient to prove one is a genealogist. Comments on this bill are also requested. [send to the Lisa Cote]

You may download a copy of LD 258 (and LD 388) by going to www.maine.gov/legis and typing the bill number in the box in the upper right corner.

If you can come to present testimony at the hearing you need to bring at least 20 copies of the testimony. The hearing will be at 10:00 a.m. in Room 209 of the Cross State Office Building. Please be advised that parking is very limited around the capitol complex and will be further affected on Wednesday & Thursday by supporters & protesters of the state budget which is also having public hearings.

Please pass this on to any and all genealogists and supporters thereof.

If you have questions, please email Helen Shaw (hashaw@earthlink.net).

New Native American Blog

2011-02-26T11:59:00.002-05:00

Nancy Lecompte writes to introduce her new Research Journal Blog titled Gwilodwôgan.

http://nedoba.blogspot.com

The word refers to exploration or investigation in the Western Abenaki dialect.

She will be exploring what is known about families with potential Native American heritage in the Northeast, one family at a time. It is her hope the blog will serve as a teaching tool for any beginning researcher, a resource for descendants, and a journal of what is known, what is still left to learn, what is incorrect (and why), and what her conclusions are (and why) for each family examined.

She will begin with Edward Marden (also Mardin), c1751-1835 of Lyman, NH, who is said to have an "Indian" wife. His grandchildren are scattered all over the Northeast (ME, NH, VT, Quebec, MA).

The next family she will examine is that of a woman named Marleah Kanistaux of Stockton, NY, who is said to be the granddaughter of Metallic. Metallic was a rather famous Abenaki man known in western Maine and northern New Hampshire. He died in Stewartstown, NH in 1845 at an age well over 100 years.

She will be looking for another family to work on this summer. If you have an interesting "Indian" puzzle, write and share it.

You can email Nancy at nancy@nedoba.org.

Ellsworth, ME Historical Society Announces New Webpage

2011-02-18T11:49:00.000-05:00

Ellsworth, Maine – February 15, 2011 – Today, The Ellsworth Historical Society announces its first ever webpage at www.ellsworthme.org/ellshistory/

Terri Weed Cormier – Co president of the society was pleased to make this announcement and said “This webpage marks a transformative experience for the society’s long history. This represents the next major step ahead as we continue to expand our community outreach and make more people aware of the society’s goals and continued preservation of our building and archives. We could not have done this without the help of John and Allison of MDI Web Design who offered their services to us as well as the webhosting at Ellsworthme.com and Ellsworthme.org who have been wonderful to work with in helping us achieve this goal”

The Ellsworth Historical Society evolved from a meeting held in 1978 of interested members of the community to save and protect our history. An item in the Ellsworth American invited those interested in forming a local historical society to meet at the First Congregational Church. The attendees decided to meet again and the first meeting of the Historical Society was held on May 22, 1978.

Since that time the society has been collecting the history and memorabilia of Ellsworth and serving the local community in preserving and sharing our local history through exhibitions and local outreach.

The Society and the Ellsworth Historic Preservation Commission joined forces to preserve the Old County Jail from demolition in 1980 and after working with the County Commissioners office an agreement was made that the building was a fitting place for the society and in 1980 a lease was signed that allowed the society to finally have a home. The first meeting was held in the Old County Jail in June 1981. The building was officially transferred to the society with the signing of the deed in 1998.

Restoration of the interior of the building started at once and with local help from area businesses, groups, and concerned citizen’s work began to restore the interior of the beautiful brick Queen Anne Revival Building that was built in 1886. The building now houses the society’s collection of Ellsworth history, with displays and changing exhibits from the society’s collections. The museum is open on Thursdays and Saturdays in July and August free of charge.

In 2008 the building was named to the National Registry of Historic Places. The announcement was made by Earle Shuttleworth Jr., President of the Maine Historic Commission which submitted the nomination. The front of the building was a former residence for the jail warden and his family, and the back contains 14 small cells on two floors. A dividing wall between the two sections once allowed the warden to monitor inmates through two small wickets that are still in place today.

The Ellsworth Historical Society is an all volunteer society that is dedicated to preserving the history of Ellsworth for future generations. Membership is open to all and we look forward to growing more in our local community, continuing to collect and preserve local history, and to helping others know the history of our home town we hope that everyone will visit our new website and join us to show your support. For additional information please email us at ellsworthhistory@yahoo.com or write to us at The Ellsworth Historical Society PO Box 355 Ellsworth, Me 04605

Greater Portland Chapter of MGS Cumberland County Deeds Project

2011-02-18T11:46:00.000-05:00

At the March 8, 2008 meeting of the Greater Portland Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society, President Carol McCoy suggested the chapter work on indexing the Cumberland County Deeds covering the years 1760 to 1796. The membership approved her idea, and voted to start work on this major project. In February, 2011, the purpose of the project was redefined.

The results so far . . . Even though we are not finished with the project, you may have access to the information we have collected so far. You may download the information in Excel or .pfd format here. The data is listed alphabetically by grantor or by grantee. If you download the Excel file, you can sort as you like, but you must have Excel software to open it. So check it out at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~megpcmgs/

Captain Henry Small of Falmouth/Portland, ME

2011-02-08T15:52:00.000-05:00

Query:

Birth & Parentage: Capt Henry Small of Falmouth/Portland, Maine. According to his death certificate he was b 1769, Falmouth, Maine. Death: 22 Nov 1825 Dead at Sea, Capt of Brig to Havana; his body was returned to Portland, buried at Eastern Cemetery lot 11-12. Buried beside him is Timothy Small d. 1818 age 75, possibly father and 2nd wife Sarah (Wright) Small, also a part of Lot 11. Henry first married Jerusha “Rusha” Challis on 2 Nov 1791 in Falmouth/Portland, Maine. Jerusha died 17 Mar 1810. Children by first marriage according to 1800 census were three sons and one dau.; all under the age of 10 years. We found the birth of Nathaniel May 1799 and his sister Mary Apr. 1796, both born in Portland. However, two sons are still a mystery, plus other children were born to Henry and Jerusha, because we found Emily b 4 Jan 1810 about 10 weeks prior to her mother’s death on 17 March 1810. Henry remarried to a Sarah Wright Oct 1810 in Portland, Maine. Children by his second marriage were: George b. 4 Oct 1813 and Sarah b. 18 Mar 1816 also born in Portland. Found info on Henry years as a Captain. Maine Marine Historical has the information on his years as a Master-Captain for Asa Clapp, schooner Susan, etc. Please contact me if you have any information.

Thank you Christine Morrill; morrillca@hotmail.com

State Shut Down Days

2011-01-19T15:18:00.002-05:00

Maine residents are more than familiar with the shut down days being imposed upon state workers following the budget crunch being experienced by the state government. For those living out of state or for those in Maine who may not be familiar with all the dates, please make note of the following days when the state offices, which includes the Archives and State Library, will be closed in 2011 so you can plan your trips accordingly.

Friday 14 January 2010
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Friday, 18 March 2011
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Friday, 27 May 2011

Seeking Ancestry of Daniel Brown

2011-01-14T13:17:00.000-05:00

BROWN

Seeking ancestry of DANIEL BROWN who died between 23 Jun 1818 & 19 Dec 1825 in Lincolnville , Maine . DANIEL and his wife SALLY came from Edgecomb to Lincolnville about 1794. There are several BROWN families in Edgecomb in the 18th century. There are also several BROWN-STEVENS marriages according to the Edgecomb Vital records. Would like to correspond with anyone who has researched these families or has knowledge of them.

Pam Eagleson (peagleson@yahoo.com), 25 Woodland Ave. Kennebunk ME 04043

Vital Records of Orland, Maine

2010-12-12T17:26:00.003-05:00

We are pleased to announce the availability of our Special Publication #65.

The town of Orland is located in Hancock County, 17 miles west of Ellsworth. Granted to W. Dall, Nathaniel Snellings, Robert Treat and others in Boston. It was first settled by Joseph Gross from Fort Pownal in 1764. Zachariah Gross, his son, was the first male child born there in 1766. The first road was laid out in 1771 by John Hancock and Samuel Craig. Orland was incorporated on Feb. 21, 1800. Prior to that date it was known as Eastern River Township, or Plantation, No. 2.

James H. Wick, compiler. 426 pages, 14,106 entry Every Name Index. Hard cover. 2010.

Member price: $59.95 / Non-member price: $69.95

Visit our website for ordering information.

Ardell J. (Parkman) Lynds

2010-12-09T18:19:00.003-05:00

Maine Genealogical Society is saddened to announce the death of Ardell J. (Parkman) Lynds, a well-known Maine genealogist and recently, a director of our Society.

READFIELD - Ardell J. (Parkman) Lynds died Dec. 6, 2010, at Hospice House, Auburn, with her husband and sons by her side. Ardell was born Jan. 8, 1942, at Scott Webb Memorial Hospital, Hartland, the only child of Henry A. Parkman and Phyllis P. (Pease) Parkman. She attended elementary school in St. Albans, Skowhegan, Norridgewock, Aptos, Calif.; and graduated from Watsonville High School in 1960. She also attended secretarial school in San Jose, Calif., Monterey Peninsular College, and Hartnell College, Salinas, Calif. Upon returning to Maine after residing in California from 1962 to 2000, she really enjoyed reconnecting with childhood friends and family from Skowhegan and Norridgewock. After spending time with family, Ardell's greatest joy was researching family roots, as she was an extremely successful and passionate genealogist. Some of her greatest accomplishments were tracing her family heritage and others back to their Mayflower voyage. She also wrote and published three books and transcribed the vital records of St. Albans. She was a proud member of several genealogical organizations, including Daughters of the American Revolution, of which she was an officer; Mayflower Society, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Maine Genealogical Society, Colonial Dames of the XVII Century and Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War. She also owned and operated Your Cousin's Genealogical Shoppe, San Martin, Calif. Ardell was a lady of extreme character and virtue, whose family values and moral code would be next to impossible to surpass. As indicated by the organizations she belonged to, Ardell loved her country, and was a devout patriot. Ardell was a lover of animals, having named and cared for numerous pets including dogs, cats, pygmy goats, roosters, chickens, horses and a pig on Lynds' Little Acres Ranchette, San Martin, Calif. This would explain why one of her favorite TV shows and books was "All Creatures Great and Small" by James Herriot. She had also been a school volunteer and treasurer of Boy Scout Troop 20. She is survived by her husband, Arvil Lynds of Readfield; and her children, Ronnie Lynds of Gilroy, Calif., Stephen Lynds of Yosemite National Park, Calif., and Michael Lynds of Gardiner. There will be viewing hours 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, where a funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. Immediately after there will be a luncheon reception at Tewksbury Hall behind Federated Church on the island in Skowhegan. Donations may be made in Ardell's memory to National Kidney Foundation , Serving New England, 85 Astor Ave., Suite 2, Norwood, MA 02062-5040; Arthritis Foundation , Northern New England Office, 6 Chenell Drive, Suite 260, Concord, NH 03301; or The Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice, 236 Stetson Road, Auburn, ME 04210. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan.

Published in Bangor Daily News on December 9, 2010

MGS Conference Queries

2010-10-09T12:22:00.000-04:00

Can anyone help these Conference attendees with their queries?

Looking for a connection between George W. Knight and Cornelia Hackett of the East Poland and Minot, ME area between 1854 - 1867. Dave Flewelling (jdflew@earthlink.net) MGS #4391

Seeking parents of Alphonse Fournie b. 1871 Quebec; m. Helene (Ellen) Melanson at St. Mary's, Orono, ME on 27 Nov 1880; Helene b. abt 1865 in Bathhurst, Gloucester County, New Brunswick, Canada. Bob O'Halloran (bobohalloran@roadrunner.com) MGS #4246

Seeking ancestors of Samuel S. Seamans (b. 7 Aug 1839 Eastport, ME); he married on 25 Dec 1862 in Cary, ME to Ruth Colson (b. 8 Dec 1816 in New Brunswick, Canada). Bob O'Halloran (bobohalloran@roadrunner.com) MGS #4246

Looking for connections with the surname "Zeeman or Zeaman". Linda Aaskov (aaskov@myfairpoint.net) MGS #365

Looking for William Savage (b. bef 1763) a Loyalist who moved to New Brunswick, Canada in 1783 and married Sarah Sewell. Donald Savage (dsavage7@maine.rr.com) MGS #4399

Seeking information on Emily Farnham Chalmers Herrick Alexander (b. 10 May 1842 Topsfield, ME) d/o Jothan (aka Jonathan) and Abigail Chambers. Emily m (1) Francis A. Herrick on 27 Feb 1864 (he d. 6 Oct 1870, b. Unity, ME); she m (2) Ira Alexander (m. int. 25 Nov 1873); Ira (b. 6 June 1819 Middlebury, VT) aka Ira Abel Haven (d. 10 Sept 1891 Wales, ME). Emily (Herrick) Schroeder (dethdamona@gmail.com) MGS #4446

Seeking information on Otis Smith whose 3rd wife was Catherine Frohock; area of Readfield and Belmont, ME 1785-1805; in Charleston, ME during 1850 Census. Peter M. Smith (Pmsmi2002@aol.com) MGS #4032

Looking for parents of John Lawgren Kelly, b. 1797 in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick. Moved to Lyndon (now Caribou, ME); married Elizabeth Pankes in 1823 in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada. Dennis Prue (djprue@myfairpoint.net) MGS 3959

Seeking information on John Brazier, born abt 1769 in Meduncook (now Friendship, ME), died 1850's. His known whereabouts are : Avon 1810-1820; Putnam (now Washington, ME) 1810-1820; Avon 1820-1830; Temple 1829; Chandlerville (now Detroit) 1840's; Windham 1850's, Possible relatives: Harrison, Daniel, Joseph and Ellsworth Brazier. Jim Daly (mainelyjrd@comcast.net) MGS # 4351

Need parents of Mehitable T. Leaman of Alna who married on 10 Jan 1810 John Lowell of Alna. Gravestones in Alna Cemetery states she d. 16 Sept 1873 age 84 yrs; he d. 19 Feb 1872 age 88 yrs 10 mos. Her sister Betsy married a Dodge. George & Margaret Ricker (vinca577@aol.com) MGS #260

Need parents of Hannah Neal of York who married Nicholas Littlefield on 25 Nov 1797 (acc. Wells Vital Records); gravestone with her death date 19 Aug 1834 age 56 or 58 in Wells. George & Margaret Ricker (vinca577@aol.com) MGS #260

Looking for information on the family of Josiah Brawn and Mary Sparks; their children: Jennie Brawn Steeves (b. 1859 Woodstock, New Brunswick; d. 1942 Portland, ME) and Charles Abram Brawn (b. 1863 Houlton, ME; d. 1942 Milford, ME). Carol E. Ballard (RRB4CEB@securespeed.us) MGS #2957

Looking for the resting place of my infant son, Richard J. Decker Jr. b. 17 Apr 1957; he died while I was stationed at Dow AFB. There doesn't appear to be any death certificate issued by the State of Maine. He only survived for a short time - apparently the hospital took care of the remains. Can anyone in the Bangor area help this man who now lives in New Zealand? If so, contact Emily Quint (quint@tdstelme.net)

Google Earth 101 and Its Uses in Genealogy - November 6th

2010-10-07T13:48:00.003-04:00

November 6, 2010 the Greater Portland Chapter of MGS will present "Google Earth 101 and Its Uses in Genealogy"

Will Haskell is the GPCMGS secretary and a civil engineer with eighteen years of experience. He uses maps and aerial photography every day at work and he finds they provide many benefits in his genealogy research as well. Google Earth is free software that allows you to “fly” anywhere on the earth and visualize what that place looks like today and in the past. This powerful tool provides opportunities to visualize where your ancestors lived, their migration routes and patterns, compare current and historic photographs, overlay historic maps over current maps and locate cemeteries and churches. He will provide a basic overview and introduction of the software and will touch on several of the useful tools for genealogy. At the end of his talk he will show us his unique Google Earth project that provides exciting opportunities for the future of cemetery research.

Our meetings are held at 1:00 on the first Saturday of every month at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 29 Ocean House Road in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. New members are always welcome. Refreshments are served before the meeting at 12:30 and admission is free.

October is Family History Month

2010-10-02T12:26:00.000-04:00

It's Autumn here in Maine, the days are getting shorter, the evenings cooler, and the colors of fall are absolutely beautiful.

So now is the time to sit back and relax and think about those family history projects you want to complete this winter. October is the perfect month to do just that! As a jolly old man once said "Making a list and checking it twice!" holds true for planning those projects and making sure you have all your supplies necessary to do it.

Some project suggestions are: preserving and labeling your photo's so that future generations will know who is in that picture. It's not to late to have one more cookout and invite family members over to share stories and take pictures. Journaling those stories is another project as well as making a family history recipe book. Remember grandma's favorite pie recipe, wouldn't that look good in a recipe book with her picture on that page. What about those holiday recipes that have become tradition every year? Who gave them to you? Is that person given credit in your recipe book. Recruit other family members to add to their family recipe cookbook and think of how it can become a really great Christmas gift to everyone.

These are just a few suggestions for you to work with. Now that I have written this I need to go and check out my supply list, while some of the items are still on sale!

The Origins of Mary Drummond--Oldest Native Negro in New Bedford, Mass

2010-10-02T12:00:00.000-04:00

On October 2, 2010 the Greater Portland Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society will have a presentation of - "The Origins of Mary Drummond--Oldest Native Negro in New Bedford, Mass" Presented by Carol P. McCoy, Ph.D., this enlightening case illustrates how a creative approach and extensive search can uncover the parentage of a person of color born early in the 19th century. Learn how to use vital records, censuses, deeds, directories, newspapers, probate and cemetery records, and online resources to discover evidence to un-puzzle a genealogical mystery

Our meetings are held at 1:00 on the first Saturday of every month at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 29 Ocean House Road in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. New members are always welcome. Refreshments are served before the meeting at 12:30 and admission is free.

Pejepscot Chapter hosts Silouette Artist October 10th

2010-10-02T11:51:00.000-04:00

Silhouettes talk and portrait cuttings at Pejepscot event Ruth Monsell of Artful Heirlooms will be on hand Sunday, October 10 at the invitation of the Pejepscot Genealogy Society of Brunswick to deliver a talk on the history of silhouettes and how she has gone about creating them over the past three decades. She will also be available to demonstrate her skill, creating freehand cut silhouette portraits of children and adults, done from live five minute sittings.

The talk is open to the public, and will be begin at 2 PM in the Morrell Meeting Room of the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick. All are invited to bring family or historical silhouettes to display before and after the talk. Advance reservations may be made for sittings, which will run from 1 to 2 PM and from 2:30 to 5 PM.

A silhouettist with over 30 years of experience, Ruth has become internationally known through her website, ArtfulHeirlooms.com, as well as by cutting profiles aboard five international cruise ships. In demand for weddings, reunions, and corporate events, she has also created numerous custom logos. In 2009, her works in cut paper comprised one fourth of a New York City gallery exhibit, Shapes From Maine.

The artist also enjoys creating decorative silhouettes which began with animals, full figures and lighthouses. More recently she has branched out into architectural subjects, beginning with a cutting of the Joshua Chamberlain House in Brunswick, commissioned by their gift shop. Additionally she cut portraits of Joshua and Fannie Chamberlain for the Chamberlain Museum Store. A recent building silhouette was of the historic Pickard Theater on the Bowdoin campus, commissioned for a fundraiser.

In previous years, Ruth has cut portraits twice for Pejepscot Historical Society events. There about a dozen other historical groups and museums in Maine which have called on her to demonstrate her work in cut paper.

Advance appointments for sittings are recommended and may be made by phoning 563-2920 or 866-212-7288. The artist is also able to cut silhouettes of loved ones not present from clear profile (side view) photographs.

Fogler Library Sponsors Town Reports Event

2010-10-02T11:48:00.000-04:00

ORONO, Maine— Is your family name in the town report? Did it appear there in 1898? What did this mean? Do you still think of the annual reports prepared by towns in Maine as dull bureaucratic documents detailing arcane activities of municipal governments, of little interest to anyone except local residents? This view will be challenged in a program sponsored by the Friends of Fogler Library entitled Town Reports: Rich Texts, Vital Resources, held in the Special Collections Reading Room
of Fogler Library on Monday, November 15, at 3:00 p.m.

Librarians Mel Johnson and Richard Hollinger will demonstrate that town reports are unique and valuable resources for local history and genealogy, and are essential sources for research on regional and state history as well, containing information about social history often available nowhere else.

The program will also feature Maine Town Reports Online, where digitized historical reports from a number of Maine towns can be viewed. This site is a collaborative project between Fogler Library, the Maine State Library and several municipalities and historical societies. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information contact Gretchen Gfeller at gretchen.gfeller@umit.maine.edu or call 581-1696.

Individuals, towns and organizations that would like to add their town’s reports to this site should contact Sharon Quinn Fitzgerald at Fogler Library (voice: 581-1667, email: sharonquinn.fitzgerald@umit.maine.edu).

For more information on this event, contact:
Gretchen Gfeller, Web and Public Relations
University of Maine, Raymond H. Fogler Library
5729 Raymond H. Fogler Library, Orono, ME 04469-5729
207-581-1696

New Website - Sirius Genealogy 2.0

2010-09-21T12:23:00.000-04:00

The following announcement was written by Sirius Innovations, LLC:

Sirius Innovations, LLC is pleased to announce the release of “The Sirius Genealogist Web Directory at the Sirius Genealogy 2.0 website. The Web Directory is a well-organized collection of genealogy related resources that will help the amateur and professional genealogist perform research, find education / training programs, evaluate software options, find hardware, evaluate an assortment of service based offerings, and participate in the genealogy community. The directory is completely search able by category and/or location.

Individual listings can include a detailed description, links to websites, user ratings & reviews, down loadable v-cards and more. Listings can also be easily printed, saved to a favorites area or downloaded as a PDF.

The editors of Sirius Genealogy 2.0 invite users of our website to submit their FREE listing to the Web Directory today. Each listing is individually reviewed for relevancy before approval and then added to the appropriate categories.

Check it out at http://www.siriusgenealogy.com

New Vital Records Law Goes Into Effect

2010-09-01T14:29:00.001-04:00

On July 12th, 2010 a new law preventing fraudulent use of vital records went into effect. Vital records include birth certificates, fetal death and death certificates, marriage certificates, and domestic partner registrations. Maine's new law will require a person requesting a copy of records less than 100 years old to provide documentation establishing their direct and legitimate interest in the records.

Until now, Maine has been one of just a handful of states that have allowed anyone, including individuals with bad intentions and for profit entities, access to these records. Information from vital records will become completely open to the public 100 years from the date of the event.

Individuals who may access vital records less than 100 years old include:

* The person named on the record;
* The person's spouse or registered domestic partner;
* The parent(s) named on the record;
* Descendants of the person named on the record;
* Registrant's legal custodian, guardian, or conservator or respective authorized representative (includes attorney, physician, or funeral director); and
* Genealogists who have a Maine CDC issued researcher identification card.

Proof of identity must also be presented to the municipal and city clerks or state Vital Records Office staff. A brief application for securing a copy of the vital record must be filled out and presented, along with positive identification such as a driver's license, passport, or other government issued picture identification that clearly shows that the person requesting the record is who they say they are. Identification requirements apply whether the records are requested in person or by mail.

The Genealogical Research Application form is located at:
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/phs/odrvs/vital-records/index.shtml about half way down the page.

Clan Boyd Historian/Genealogist coming to Portland, ME 9 Oct 2010

2010-08-17T11:00:00.000-04:00

Clan Boyd Historian and Genealogist will be coming to Portland, Maine on October 9, 2010

This will be the first U.S. stop for Boyd Historian Mike Boyd on a worldwide tour to meet with Boyd family members and researchers. He will bring with him a wealth of Clan Boyd information to share and will gladly accept family information from other researchers.

Please join us on October 9th from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at:

Church of Jesus Christ of LDS (Mormon Church)
Genealogical Library Wing
29 Ocean House Rd. (Rte. 77)
Cape Elizabeth, ME

This is on the right shortly after the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth town line.

Bring your questions and your family information for an informative and interesting gathering! Interested parties can contact Susan Gillmor at sgillmor@maine.rr.com or call at 797-0203.

Kimball Family of Lyman, Maine

2010-08-17T10:55:00.000-04:00

Looking for parents of Gibeon (Gibbens, Gibenes) Kimball of Lyman, Maine. He enlisted in the army 1814, gave his age as 30 and birthplace as Lyman, York County. (I estimate he was born about 1784.) In the Early Vital Records of Lyman, Maine (New England Genealogical Historical Society database) he is listed as married to "Miss Lydia Peavy" 30 March 1817 by "Elder Richard Emery".

He had at least one daughter (Sarah W Kimball) who lists her parents as "Gibbens and Lydia Kimball" and her birthplace as Lyman, Maine at her second marriage in Somerville, MA.

I would also like to know if Gibeon had any other children. I suspect he may have been married more than once as I found a marriage record (FamilySearch.org) for a "Gibenes Kimball" to Polly Carll 26 September 1808 at Lyman tep, York, ME (he would have been about 24).

There is also an old newspaper article that muddies the water even more, with a possible third marriage. I have not found a death record for him, so I don't know when or where he died. However, the newspaper article seems to point to his burial in a family plot in Lyman.

Is anyone researching the Kimball family of Lyman Maine?

Any help is much appreciated,
Suzanne Wood (Member 4415) suew@townisp.com

Greater Portland Chapter of MGS September 4, 2010 Meeting

2010-08-17T10:50:00.001-04:00

On September 4, 2010 - Waterborough, Maine: The Influences of Brentwood, NH and Berwick, ME on the Early Settlement of the Town

Fred Boyle, a former certified genealogist, is a resident of Springvale and a native of Massachusetts where the last twenty years of his teaching career were at Lexington High School. In retirement he has developed a second career as a genealogist, serving a multitude of clients and personally publishing a number of "Early Families" books on Sanford, Shapleigh, Acton and most recently (2006) Alfred. He also is the author of the Folsom Genealogy, Vol. IV and Hatevil Nutter of Dover, NH and His Descendants. Currently he is at work on Early Families of Waterborough, Maine, which will probably be published in 2011.

Our meetings are held at 1:00 on the first Saturday of every month at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 29 Ocean House Road in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. New members are always welcome. Refreshments are served before the meeting at 12:30 and admission is free.

Creative Ways to Solve Genealogical Problems Workshop

2010-08-05T20:25:00.000-04:00

Carol McCoy will be doing an all day workshop entitled "Creative Ways to Solve Genealogical Problems" at the Newport Maine Historical Society on Saturday August 21st. It will be a fun workshop!

Kennebunk, ME Brick House Museum Event

2010-08-05T20:23:00.000-04:00

The Kennebunk Brick House Museum is having an ancestor road show from 10 to 1 pm on August 14th to benefit the museum. People can have 25 minute consultations. Genealogical consultants will be Pam Eagleson, Margaret Dube and Carol McCoy. They are also members of the Northeast chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. Proceeds will benefit the museum.

Greater Portland Chapter of MGS August Meeting

2010-07-31T09:30:00.000-04:00

Our meetings are held at 1:00 on the first Saturday of every month at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 29 Ocean House Road in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. New members are always welcome. Refreshments are served before the meeting at 12:30 and admission is free.

August 7, 2010 Having Fun with Newfield's Early Families

Ruth Bridges Ayer, author of Families of Newfield, Maine, will speak about digging into the records of folks who lived in Newfield, Maine, which resulted in many interesting stories - most of them printable.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION REMINDER

2010-07-31T09:08:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone -

The Maine Genealogical Society's 2010 Annual Family History Conference will be held on Saturday, September 25 at the Point Lookout Resort & Conference Center in Northport, ME. This conference will feature ten workshops, a national keynote speaker, vendors and exhibitors.

The main featured speaker is Dick Eastman. Dick is a long-time favorite speaker of MGS members. With Maine roots, he has been involved in genealogy for over 30 years. Having also worked in the computer industry for more than 40 years, he offers a unique approach to how technology can assist in the search for, and recording of, your family history. In 1996, he launched Eastman's Online Genealogy newsletter (www.eogn.com) which has grown into a daily publication and is read by more than 40,000 genealogists each day.

Breakout Workshop topics include:

Session One - concurrent
Wikis for Genealogists
Researching your World War II ancestor
Preserving your digital photographs

Session Two - concurrent
Conservation - keeping up with technology
Full Fathom Five - A Daughter's Search
Tips in interpreting town clerk's handwriting

Session Three - concurrent
The Organized Genealogist
Treasures in the town vault
Researching your Swedish ancestors

In addition to the workshops, the general session keynote address by Dick Eastman is entitled "Maine Outhouses I have known and loved", which should be quite entertaining!

Be sure to register soon for this great conference - registration deadline is September 11. Registrations are $40 for MGS members and $50 for non-members. Be sure to register early and share this information with fellow researchers who might be interested in attending.

On Saturday, September 25, the registration table will be open at 8am and the vendors and exhibitors will be available. There will be a luncheon buffet ($20 a ticket) which will feature some great networking time. The conference will end at 5:00pm. For those not wanting to participate in the luncheon, feel free to bring your own lunch and enjoy an outdoor picnic on the grounds.

A query board will be available again this year in the lobby area for anyone interested in posting a genealogy query. This was a popular feature last year, so bring your query and you might find a connection!

For more information on this conference such as a full description of each workshop, description of the workshop speakers, full conference schedule, conference brochure and registration form, please visit the website at

Hope to see you there! Should you have any questions, please feel free to email us at mainegenealogical@yahoo.com or phone MGS President Dale Mower at (207) 942-9375.

Parker Lawry

2010-07-24T15:42:00.002-04:00

Seeking information on Parker Lawry, b. c. 1820, m. Thursha Powers (b. c. 1834, d. c. 1858). Appears in 1850 US Fed Census with Thursha in Islesboro. Son Charles Lewis Lawry, b. c. 1858, Bangor, later moved to Washington state. Charles stated that his father was a mariner and that his parents lived in Bangor. Need names of Parker's and Thursha's parents, residence(s), etc.

Polly Ballance, MGS #4440, 22649 Climbing Rose Dr, Moreno Valley, CA 92557; e-mail: pballance@msn.com

Pejepscot Genealogical Society Website Goes Live!

2010-06-30T15:28:00.000-04:00

If you haven’t already heard, PGS is launching a new web site with the hopes of making information more easily accessible, easing administration, and making it easier for people outside our group to find us. The first phase of the new web site is complete, which involved purchasing a new domain name, installing some software for maintaining the site, redesign work, moving the old content into the new format, and adding a few new “extras.”

One of the features of the new site is a blog like feature that is easily update able from any internet ready computer. This means we can post certain information that can’t wait for a newsletter (perhaps because of timing) or we can post supplementary information to what is included in the newsletter, allowing us to keep the page count on the newsletter down to a manageable level.

Over the summer I hope to continue working on the site to make sure others like the Maine Genealogical Society get their links to our site updated, as well as posting some more detailed information about our group, our areas of research, etc. If you have things you would like to see included on the web site, let me know and I will do my best to make it happen.

Aroostook County Genealogical Society News

2010-06-30T15:22:00.000-04:00

The Aroostook County Genealogical Society, called “The county”, meets on the fourth Monday of each month, except for December and July at 6:30 pm, at the Cary Medical Center, 163 Van Buren Rd., Caribou, Me in the Chan building. Our contact person is Jay Bullard you may contact him via e-mail at: jaybullard@myfairpoint.net. Our new website is: ac-gs.org. Our Newspaper Project is in full swing, the Aroostook Republican and News is our starting point, read about the project on our website. Anyone is welcome to come to attend meetings. Membership in this Chapter provide you with a monthly Newsletter.

Leavitt Family Reunion

2010-06-09T14:15:00.002-04:00

The National Association of Leavitt Families (NALF) will hold this year's annual reunion in Hampton NH June 25-26, 2010.

We trace all the descendants of John Leavitt of Hingham MA and Thomas Leavitt. Hampton is the home of the immigrant Thomas Leavitt born 1616 who settled there about 1637. Descendants are scattered throughout Maine, but Leavitt strongholds are or were York, Buxton, Standish, Scarborough, Portland, Bridgton, Bethel, Acton, Limerick, Cape Elizabeth, Windham, Newport, Lincolnville, Hallowell, Eastport, and Thomaston, Maine.

Registration deadline is June 10.

See our website for all the details www.Leavitts.org and come join in on the fun and meet your cousins. Open to all.

Chandler Family Association Newsletter Honored

2010-05-26T11:08:00.003-04:00

The Chandler Family Association Newsletter received the First Place, Family Newsletter award at the recent National Genealogical Society meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. The coveted award was presented April 28 in front of a large crowd of enthusiastic genealogists. Accepting the award on behalf of the Association was Charles Chandler, a resident of West Jordan, Utah, and CFA member. Editor of the award-winning newsletter is Claudia Chandler Brocato of Brandon, Mississippi, who was appointed editor of the publication in 2006. Brocato also serves as webmaster for the CFA website, which scored 84% in a recent marketing effectiveness evaluation of 2.3 million websites.

In announcing the award, C. M. Chandler, president of the Chandler Family Association, stated "We are very pleased and honored that our newsletter was judged the best family newsletter in this year's competition. Our members look forward to receiving their newsletter as each issue is packed with a variety of informative articles and documented genealogies contributed by our members. Each issue generally includes articles by members of our Executive Board, who are involved in various research projects throughout the year. The newsletter provides an excellent vehicle for updating our more than 400 members worldwide about the progress of these efforts. While our peer review board double-checks all genealogical articles for accuracy, Mrs. Brocato has full charge of the final product. We are extremely pleased with the professional appearance she has given our newsletter. This prestigious award from NGS, America's leading genealogical association, is a reaffirmation of our members' appreciation of the work Mrs. Brocato performs for our Association."

The NGS Family Newsletter competition is held annually to recognize the hard work, long hours, and creativity by editors of family newsletters, most of whom are unpaid volunteers. Newsletters entered in the competition are judged by a three-member panel and must meet certain preset criteria, such as material interest, variety and originality, writing quality, readability, and overall attractiveness of presentation. The 2010 competition is the first time the Chandler Family Association has submitted an entry, which adds to the pride the CFA membership has at large for its publication.

To view one of the award-winning issues, visit the group's website at http://www.thecfa.org/. The website also carries full details about the Chandler Family Association, membership details, and information about the group's upcoming Annual Meeting, open to all who are interested in Chandler genealogy, September 17-18 in Hampton, Virginia.

MGS Member Discount at Footnote

2010-05-25T16:54:00.004-04:00

Maine Genealogical Society is always looking for ways to provide value to our members. We are pleased to announce that we have worked on a a special offer with Footnote.com, the premier history website featuring over 66 million records.

For a limited time (June 1st -July 31st, 2010), Footnote.com will offer Maine Genealogical Society a 50% discount off an annual Footnote.com subscription. For only $39.95 you will have full access to original images of records including:

Military Records - Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI, WWII, Vietnam War
Historical Newspapers - Dating back to the 1700s
Naturalization Records - Petitions and Declarations dating to the early 19th Century
City Directories - From major U.S. Cities
And more

Find the details in the upcoming issue of the MGS newsletter.

Already a Footnote All-Access Member? Add a year to your membership with this special offer.

Chandler Genealogical Database to be Released

2010-05-25T14:05:00.002-04:00

Represents 400 Years of Chandler Family Research Data

Richard Chandler, vice-president of the Chandler Family Association, announced plans for unveiling the group's long-awaited new database. It will be presented for the first time at the group's annual meeting September 16-18 in Hampton, Virginia.

The new genealogical tool will be an easily-searchable, computer-based resource for Chandler researchers. Initially, the database comprises more than 80,000 records of Chandler individuals from around the world; it will grow as more Chandler descendants participate in the group's research efforts.

The database is the culmination of more than 20 years of data collection by founding member and past vice president James Reeves of Glen Burnie, MD. The impetus for converting these paper-based records into a computer database came about some years ago. VP Chandler along with DNA expert Dr. John Chandler and CFA's Chief Genealogist Joseph Barron Chandler, Jr. were heavily involved with the startup of the Chandler DNA Project. This project compares the DNA "fingerprints" of male Chandler participants, enabling them to be grouped into genetic families. This has helped dismantle "brick walls" encountered in traditional paper-based genealogy. It has also revealed that some of the participants previously believed to be descendants of John Chandler, who arrived in Virginia on June 10, 1610, were in fact related to other Chandler ancestors. This discovery led the three men to conceive a database containing genealogy records of Chandler descendants, whether connected to the 1610 immigrant John Chandler or to one of sixty other distinct Chandler lines currently identified.

As a starting point, Dr. Chandler converted the years of CFA print data into a format accepted by today's computer technology. Then VP Chandler took over to present the data in a uniform style and update the source information, gathered from the widespread membership of CFA.

The two-tier design involves a high-level database which will ultimately hold records of all the world's Chandlers. The second tier will consist of a separate database for each genetically distinct family, including descendants of female Chandlers in collateral lines.

VP Chandler will present the database to members of the CFA in several 45-minute sessions throughout the day of Friday, September 17. He will also answer questions on how the CFA will utilize and add to this unique resource, which uses existing genealogical software technology. It will significantly improve the CFA's ability to help Chandler researchers navigate through 400 years of family-linked history.

This will be but one of the highlights of the September meeting. Chandler descendants from throughout the United States will share their personal research and connect with new family members. All attendees will have access to the extensive CFA Library, including unpublished manuscripts, out-of-print genealogical books, and other materials.

In addition, the group's Chief Genealogist Joseph Barron Chandler, Jr. will be present to answer lineage questions. As Group Administrator of the Chandler Family DNA Project, he will field inquiries about genealogical DNA testing and the results of the project to date.

Anyone interested in Chandler genealogy is invited to attend. Thursday, September 16, is a day reserved for CFA members, who must pre-register by August 6. The Friday meeting, open to all, begins at 8:00 a.m. September 17, 2010, at the Hampton Roads Convention Center, Hampton, Virginia. There is a $15.00 fee for attendees who are not members of the CFA; however, this includes a one-year CFA membership and subscription to its award-winning newsletter.

More information about the annual meeting and the Chandler Family Association is at http://www.thecfa.org.

Overcoming Brick Walls

2010-05-25T10:34:00.002-04:00

The Greater Portland Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society will meet Saturday, June 5th, 29 Ocean Rd., Cape Elizabeth at the Church of Latter Day Saints. We gather at 12:30 for a social time, program begins at 1:00 p.m.

This month Phyllis Legare will tell us how to "Overcome Brick Walls" (in genealogy research).

Meetings are free and open to the public.

For more information, call Linda Aaskov at (207) 490-5709.

The Maine Genealogist - May 2010

2010-05-25T10:24:00.004-04:00

The latest issue of The Maine Genealogist is in mailboxes now. As always, a great selection of scholarly articles. Here's a rundown on what you will find:

The Family of John Reed of Topsham, Maine by Glenn D. Nasman

Stampless Letter: Loring Plummer Family of Maine contributed by Leslie D. Sanders

Charles C. McKim: Brush'un of Portland, Maine, and Impressionist of Portland, Oregon by Elizabeth S. Oatley

Bible Record of Joseph H. Wardwell of Rumford, Maine contributed by Leslie D. Sanders

The Maxwell Family of Scotch Hill, Ogunquit, and Wells, Maine by Priscilla Eaton

Portland, Maine, Marriage Intentions, Volume 4, 1814-1837 (continued) copied by Joseph C. Anderson II

The Maine Genealogist is the quarterly publication of the Maine Genealogical Society. For more information, please visit us on the web at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~megs.

Meaty Bones

2010-03-21T20:54:00.002-04:00

That is the subject at the April 3rd meeting of the Greater Portland Chapter of MGS.

Our vital records research uncovers names, dates and places. But that's only the skeleton of our ancestors. Newspapers can put meat on those bones, and it's becoming easier than ever to look at our past.

This talk will be given by our own Bob Greene. A native of Portland, ME, he joined The Associated Press in Kansas City in 1965. He covered riots in Omaha, NE, and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral in Atlanta, GA. He transferred to Milwaukee, WI, in 1968 and to Washington, DC, in 1971. Two years later, he was named correspondent in Portland, ME, before transferring to NY Sports where, in 1980, he was named AP Tennis Writer. He retired in 2001 and the following year moved to South Portland. Besides writing the first book on African Americans in Maine to be published, Greene also contributed to “Maine’s Visible Black History”; teaches an OLLI course on Black History in Maine at the University of Southern Maine; chairs the board of the Jean Byers Sampson Center for Diversity in Maine at USM; is on the board of directors of the Maine Philanthropy Center, the Maine Historical Society and the Maine Freedom Trails; and lectures frequently on the Underground Railroad and Blacks in the military. As a genealogist, he has traced his family back to the 1700s in Maine. He continues to cover and write about tennis as well as genealogy.

Saturday, April 3, 2010
12:30-2:00
29 Ocean House Road in Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Click here for for more information

Family History Library Classes Now Available on Internet

2010-03-21T20:50:00.002-04:00

Free Classes Make Genealogy Expertise Accessible Anywhere

SALT LAKE CITY—It is rare that Marcia Covington can make the trip from her home in State College, Pennsylvania, to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Now, however, people like Covington can take classes from the world-famous library without ever leaving home.

The FamilySearch Family History Library is now making its popular classes available at FamilySearch.org, where anyone anywhere in the world can access them for free at a time that is convenient for them. The classes have been offered on-site in Salt Lake City for years. Until now, attendance has been limited to those patrons who are fortunate to live in the surrounding community or happen to be visiting the library as part of a research trip. Making the classes available online allows access to many more patrons.

“Most people do family history whenever they can fit it in their busy lives, on evenings, holidays, weekends, and so forth. Whether you are a beginner or experienced researcher, you can choose subjects of interest to you from the available classes and watch them anytime and anywhere,” said FamilySearch Community Services Manager Diane Loosle.

The online classes are a great complement to the free personal research assistance the Family History Library offers to its patrons in Utah and through its family history centers worldwide. According to Loosle, the free online classes are one part of the growing number of tools FamilySearch is building for its online patrons. That is great news to people like Covington.

“Very few people have the opportunity to come to Salt Lake City, but these classes give me the same access at home as I can get in Utah,” Covington said. “Our distances here are pretty long, and for some people it is a 40-minute drive to the nearest family history center. These classes make it possible to get training in your home whenever you want, and it is so nice that it is free.”

There are currently 23 Family History Library classes available online, with subjects ranging from European research to United States military records. The most popular offerings are the Beginning Research Series for Ireland and England and a class on descendancy research.

The classes vary in length from 6 to 58 minutes, with most lasting about 25 minutes. The format of the class varies, depending on the content being presented. One type of class shows a video that alternates between the teacher and the PowerPoint slides. Another kind of class integrates video of the presenter, the accompanying PowerPoint slides, and links to supplemental materials all in one screen.

Several of the classes are interactive, such as a course on reading German handwriting. In these classes, the teacher is represented with still photographs and audio narration, and the student can actively participate in learning activities, such as matching English and German characters or transcribing selected words from a document. As a student types, the correct text appears in green and incorrect answers appear in red, providing immediate feedback.

FamilySearch is continually adding new online offerings; classes on how to read English handwritten records are currently in development. All of the classes can be accessed on www.familysearch.org by clicking on Free Online Classes on the home page.

Paul Nauta
FamilySearch Public Affairs Manager

Co-Author Needed for Lord Family of Kittery

2010-03-21T20:36:00.002-04:00

MGS Member Kenneth Freeman Mosman is looking for someone with an interest in Maine / New Hampshire genealogy who would be interested in working with him on the Lord Family of Kittery to 1790.

He already has lots of data. Please contact him to exchange ideas and interests.

E-Mail: Kfmscn@q.com

Query Help Offered

2010-03-21T20:25:00.002-04:00

Roland Rhoades, UCG (uncertified genealogist)
10 Blackberry Lane - Gorham ME 04038
207.892.0923
E-Mail: Seeker@maine.rr.com
Visit his Maine Families Website at: www. RolandRhoades.com

Life Member: Maine Old Cemeteries Assn & National Assn of Leavitt Families,
Maine Genealogical Society #1151 - Essex Society of Genealogists #412
Reynolds Family Assn. - French Family Assn. - Mayflower Society - and others

Digging up Ancestors since 1930 - offers free help on the topics below:

Specializing in every-name Maine families, with photos, including:
Joseph LEAVITT Family of Montville 1800, Lincoln, Aroostook & Cambridge ME
John MORGRAGE-MORGRIDGE of Kittery Me c 1650
RHOADES Family of Lynn MA c 1630, to Dedham & Pelham MA, to Antrim, Deering, & Alexandria NH, to Winslow, Troy & Gardiner ME 1810
FLAGG Family of Mason NH 1776 to Northport & Belmont ME area 1800
SAFFORD Family of Washington NH 1776 to Dexter ME 1800
STINNEFORD Family of Wells ME 1800, to points north in Maine
Boardway-Boadway-Boudway-Budway (Beaudoin of Quebec to Orono ME 1852)

Cambridge Maine & Somerset County Bicentennial webpages
Maine Cemetery Pages with Photos

"Tell me what you know and I'll tell you what I know."

Query - Meserve(y)

2010-03-21T18:01:00.003-04:00

Need info re: George Lyman MESERVEY, born in Maine ca. 1835, supposedly son of Clement and Sarah (DEERING) MESERVEY.

Also need parents of Clement and Sarah.

Jean Savage
73 Stagecoach Road, Stockton Springs ME 04981
E-Mail: fjsavage@fairpoint.net

LD 1781 Update

2010-03-21T16:07:00.002-04:00

Helen Shaw advises that the amendment has not been posted to the LD 1781 website and the bill is not on the house agenda for tomorrow, March 22nd. It appears the agendas are posted a day in advance.

If anyone else wants to follow this, the link is:
http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hcalfr.htm.

Open Vital Records

2010-03-21T14:36:00.002-04:00

Below are two links to research papers discussing the link of open vital records to identity theft. We recommend all genealogists review these as they formulate their own position on the heavily discussed proposed LD 1781.

Massachusetts Genealogical Council's White Paper - Framing a Discussion on Vital Records Access

The Case for Open Public Records - A Position Paper Prepared for the Association of Professional Genealogists

To learn more about LD 1781 and to follow it's progress, visit the State of Maine Legislature Bill Status Search Page and enter in the bill number.

LD 1781 - Genealogists Take Note:

2010-03-21T14:26:00.003-04:00

Received from Helen Shaw:

A bill recently passed out of the Health and Human Services Committee of the Maine legislature which would close vital records and divorce records in Maine for 100 years after the event. The bill is LD 1781 An Act To Allow Electronic Filing of Vital Records and Closing of Records To Guard against Fraud and Make Other Changes to the Vital Records Laws.

A public hearing was held on the bill on March 3rd, but the genealogy community in Maine was not aware of the bill or of the public hearing so no one was at the hearing to protest. Since then, Pam Eagleson and I have been working to amend the bill so that genealogists are included in the bill as persons with "a direct and legitimate interest in the matter recorded."

While input on problems with the bill was sought by the legal analyst preparing an amendment to the bill, that input was not included in the amendment which was made available to us March 18 (after it had been voted on by the HHS Committee). That amendment made the bill even worse.

At this time, the only option is to have the bill amended on the house floor or killed there. The proposed amendments can be viewed at: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~megs/LD1781_proposed_%20amendments.pdf

I do not know when this might come to the house floor for a vote. I have a call in to my state senator for his advice. It may be that we will need/want to address the party caucuses early next week.

You may post any of the above except what is in brackets. Please also let folks know we still need them to contact their legislators about LD 1781 and the proposed amendments.

Thank you for your help and support.
Helen Shaw, CG^sm

Thinking of The Genealogists of 2082 - 2010Census

2010-03-10T20:50:00.000-05:00

Thinking of The Genealogists of 2082 - 2010Census

Maine Tartan Day Celebration

2010-03-09T20:42:00.003-05:00

Hello! On behalf of The Scots In America and the Maine Military Museum, I would like to invite you to attend and participate in our Maine Tartan Day celebration.

Place: The Maine Military Museum and Learning Center, South Portland, Maine
Date and Time: Saturday, April 10, 2010, 1PM to 3PM

In addition to the reading of the Governor's Proclamation of Maine Tartan Day, we will be hearing from South Portland Mayor Tom Coward and Lee Humiston, Director of the Maine Military Museum. There will be re-enactor displays provided by the Soldiers of Scotland, a Color Guard from the Scottish-American Society, pipers and, of course, a Clan Parade. After the ceremonies, Director Lee Humiston will be leading a tour of the new facilities of the Learning Center.

This event is free and open to the public.

I do hope to see you there, and if you should have any questions at all, please feel free to contact me by email at dianne@thescotsinamerica.com or by cell: 207-239-1118.

Slainte Mhath,
Dianne

Dianne Bergstedt FSA Scot
The Scots In America
President, Landrum Family Association

Miniature Pictures and Portraits

2010-03-08T21:59:00.002-05:00

On Thursday, March 11th, Allen Horne will be discussing Miniature Pictures and Portraits with the Wassebec Genealogical Society. A great opportunity to explore this piece of history - we all enjoy being able to put faces with names on our family tree.

Wassebec Genealogical Society meets on the 2nd Thursday of every other month at Mayo Regional Hospital Resource Center at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Visit their website at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mewgs to stay current with their happenings.

Join Us on Facebook

2010-03-08T21:11:00.001-05:00

We've started a Maine Genealogical Society Facebook Group!

It's a new way to communicate and interactively share information and conversation. Post queries and join discussions.

Come on over and join in the fun!

An Important Note on Recent Legislative Activity Regarding Vital Records

2010-03-08T21:08:00.001-05:00

I have received a few emails questioning what MGS is doing in response to recent bills. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, MGS is prohibited from lobbying or otherwise influencing legislative action.

We do however feel that educating our membership about legislative activity that affects the genealogical community as (and if) we become aware of it is important. This opens the doors to conversation, which in turn allows our members and fellow researchers to determine their own position. To the extent an individual feels strongly about any particular issue (regardless of whether they are for or against), we certainly encourage them to contact their legislative representatives, communication is the key to educating them about the importance of certain records for genealogical research.

Dale W. Mower
President
Maine Genealogical Society

Irish History is the St. Patrick's topic in Bangor

2010-03-03T20:39:00.003-05:00

Penobscot County Genealogical Society is pleased to announce their annual Irish-themed March meeting. Dr. Janet TeBrake, Lecturer in History at the University of Maine, will be discussing Irish history and St. Patrick.

The meeting takes place on Wednesday, March 17th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at the Bangor Public Library.

Many may recall that Dr. TeBrake was a speaker at the recent Maine Genealogical Society conference that was held in Bangor.

Come celebrate St. Patrick's Day learning about Irish history....

1930 US Census Available Free of Charge on the Internet Archive

2010-03-03T20:15:00.003-05:00

The following article is from Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter and is copyright by Richard W. Eastman. It is re-published here with the permission of the author. Information about the newsletter is available at http://www.eogn.com.

Here is a pleasant surprise: the Internet Archive is placing the 1930 U.S. Census online and is making it available at no charge. This is a "work in progress;" but, the census records from many states are available now, and the remaining states will be added in the near future.

The records are offered in exactly the same format as the microfilms created by the U.S. Government. In fact, the online images appear to be copies of the microfilms. The images are being offered "as is." That is, there is no index available, only the images. If you already know where your ancestor lived and (hopefully) the enumeration district, you can view the images one at a time until you find the information you seek.

You can find enumeration districts on FamilySearch at http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=subjectdetails&subject=870702&subject_disp=Census+districts+-+United+States&columns=*,0,0. Once you know the enumeration district, return to the Internet Archive at http://www.archive.org/details/1930_census to conduct your search.

If your ancestors lived in a small town, you can probably find them without determining an enumeration district in advance. However, for those who resided in cities, the enumeration district is a valuable piece of information that allows you to zoom in on the correct neighborhood quickly although you will still need to look at a lot of images to find what you seek.

While it is nice to see a free version of the census available, I doubt if this will have much impact on the commercial companies that also offer census images online for a fee. The commercial companies have indexed most of their records, and finding someone in an index first is much, much easier than manually looking at hundreds of images in search of the right family.

While I appreciate the free, unindexed images, I'll still gladly pay a few dollars a month to have an index available. I suspect most others will do the same, especially after trying to find someone in the free records.

Of course, now is an excellent time for your genealogy society or historical society to index the records for your area and place your own index online, with each entry pointing to an original record on the Internet Archive.

To find the 1930 U.S. Census records on the Internet Archive, start at: http://www.archive.org/details/1930_census to conduct your search.

Maine Bill Closes Birth, Marriage Records - Portland News Story - WMTW Portland

2010-03-03T19:45:00.001-05:00

Maine Bill Closes Birth, Marriage Records - Portland News Story - WMTW Portland

Query - Follett Families

2010-02-27T22:09:00.002-05:00

Seeking information on Rev. Benjamin FOLLETT born December 13, 1789; he died July 23, 1870 in Gravesville, Wisconsin. He married Janet "Jane" Patton MITCHELL, in St. Stephens, New Brunswick, on August 15, 1812. She was born May 27, 1794 and died July 14, 1855, she is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Milo, Maine. After his wife's death Rev. FOLLETT married Elizabeth WHITE of Biddeford, Maine. Rev. FOLLETT was a Calvinist circuit preacher, traveling throughout Central Maine from about 1830 thru 1855. It is believed he may have been born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and came to the Augusta area at an early age. I am most interested in knowing who his parents were and where they lived.

Joanne Page
11 Eastern Ave, Apt 53
Wilton ME 04294
E-Mail: joannepage@myfairpoint.net

Query - Smith / Berry Marriage

2010-02-27T22:03:00.002-05:00

Looking for place and date of marriage of William Isaac SMITH (aka Isaac William SMITH, b. 1806 in Eastport Maine) to Alice BERRY (b. 1802 place unknown). They married about 1830-1835. William studied medicine in Augusta. They had two children, Eliza and Hyrum.

Would appreciate knowing vitals of Alice's parents if possible.

Thank you,
Virginia Sisk
27810 Lake Street
Hemet CA 92544
E-Mail: g0rg1n_5i5k@msn.com

Query - Marr & General Research Help

2010-02-27T21:57:00.003-05:00

New member Gerald Marr writes:

I have traced the MARR family (my line) from the early 1700's (John & Catherine of Kittery) to the present. What I am seeking is how to obtain more information on those individuals in each generation. Since I am new to this, I am wondering if someone could point me in the right direction. 90%of my ancestors lived and died in Maine. Would appreciate any help.

Thanks,
Gerald Marr
E-Mail: gamarr@comcast.net

Aroostook County Genealogical Society Now Online

2010-02-18T22:04:00.002-05:00

We are happy to report that our northernmost chapter, Aroostook County Genealogical Society, is now online with a new website. Visit them at http://www.ac-gs.org.

The website is still undergoing some tweaking and they are working diligently on adding additional content, but it is already a great resource.

Surf over and check them out and welcome "The County" to the Internet!

Greater Portland Chapter to Learn About Early New England Food

2010-02-18T22:00:00.002-05:00

The Greater Portland Chapter of Maine Genealogical Society will meet Saturday, March 6th, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 29 Ocean House Road (Rt #77), Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Social time 12:30, program at 1:00 p.m. followed by a business meeting.

Sandy Oliver, food historian will be our guest speaker sharing her knowledge of early New England food - How We Ate American Fare.

The meetings are free and open to the public.
For more information, call Linda (490-5709)

New Genealogy Group to meet in Greenville

2010-02-16T08:07:00.002-05:00

Roxanne Moore Saucier reported in her Family Ties column in Monday's Bangor Daily News that a new genealogical group will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, in the carriage house by the Moosehead Historical Society on Pritham Avenue in Greenville.

Candy Russell will share some resources that are available through the historical society.

To quote Roxanne, "Here's hoping Saturday's meeting will draw lots of interest so that more can be done to preserve the heritage of the Greenville area."

To read her complete column, visit: http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/136843.html.

Get Ready for the New “Who Do You Think You Are?” Television Series

2010-02-15T20:55:00.001-05:00

Stock up on the popcorn and get ready for the new NBC hit show “Who Do You Think You Are?” The family history-focused series will lead seven celebrities on a heart-warming journey back in time as they discover more about the ancestors who came before them. Lisa Kudrow, who executive produced the show will be featured in the episodes, along with Sarah Jessica Parker, Spike Lee, Matthew Broderick, Susan Sarandon, Emmitt Smith, and Brooke Shields. Ancestry.com is a partner with NBC on the show

The idea for “Who Do You Think You Are?” originated from a show that has been phenomenally successful in the UK for several years. Since the show aired in 2004, the UK has seen a surge of interest in family history, and we hope and expect the same reaction from “Who Do You Think You Are?” in the United States.

Typically, celebrities play the role of someone else, however in this show they play no one but themselves. Because of this, “Who Do You Think You Are?” really shows the human side of these individuals, who experience a myriad of emotions as they learn their family history. Viewers can’t help but feel inspired and intrigued as they watch the episodes. Naturally, the show will lead viewers to begin thinking about and asking questions around their own family history.

What is wonderful about the show is that, with the celebrity appeal, the genuine emotion they experience, and the family storytelling nature of the show, “Who Do You Think You Are?” is perfectly poised to appeal to the masses – not just professional genealogists or family history experts.

Tune into NBC Fridays 8/7c beginning March 5. For more information about the show, go to: http://www.nbc.com/who-do-you-think-you-are/.

The potential is great! You and your friends have an important role in making “Who Do You Think You Are?” the next biggest family history phenomenon since Roots! Please help spread the news!

Lou Szucs, Vice-President of Community Relations
Ancestry.com

Query - Toothaker in Deer Isle

2010-02-15T19:31:00.002-05:00

Our Treasurer Richard Spinney is looking for a little assistance. He writes...

On May 14, 1962, Margaret I. Gregory of Rockland wrote Eleanor Toothaker of Dixmont: ". . . I have seen at the office of the Town Clerk of Deer Isle the record of the death of a child, Mary of William I. Toothaker, who died there Sept. 26, 1799, which would indicate William Toothaker, son of Ebenezer born in 1742 was at some time a resident of Deer Isle . . . " Although I have looked in the Deer Isle VR, I cannot find this information. Seek a citation for this information about Mary's death.

Richard Spinney
E-Mail: rspinney@hotmail.com

Sleuthing Session at Pejepscot

2010-02-07T21:38:00.002-05:00

Pejepscot Genealogy Society will meet on Sunday, February 14, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. in the Morrell Meeting Room of the Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick.

Bring your questions, challenges and lap tops to a problem assistance meeting designed to provide suggestions and direction to aid in your sleuthing.

Come early for a social time and to exchange ideas and discoveries.

For more information, call (207) 833-7371.

Roxanne discusses Sarah Palin's Ancestry

2010-02-07T20:40:00.002-05:00

The ever-popular Roxanne Moore Saucier, Family Ties columnist for the Bangor Daily News, will be the guest speaker at the February meeting of the Penobscot County Genealogical Society. She will be discussing Sarah Palin's Ancestry -- From Maine to Alaska.

The group will meet on February 17, 2010, at 6:00 p.m. in the Lecture Hall of the Bangor Public Library. You don't have to be a member to of the society to attend. Refreshments will be available.

Upcoming meetings:
March 17, 2010 - Dr. Janet TeBrake will discuss early Irish settlers in Bangor
April 21, 2010 - Dana Lippitt, Curator of the Bangor Museum and Center for History

Update: Maine Vital Records Fees

2010-01-27T19:33:00.004-05:00

Most genealogists have heard about the recent increase in fees for obtaining a certified copy of a vital record (birth / marriage / death). The Maine State Office of Vital Records is now receiving $60.00 per copy.

LD 1648 (proposed legislative bill) has been submitted this session as an emergency bill that would require these fees to be changed back to what they were in September of 2009. It is felt by some that the new fees are inappropriate.

If you support this bill, you should contact your State Senators and Representatives to let them know your thoughts.

Also a reminder, these fees are only for copies being obtained from the State Office of Vital Records. We encourage genealogists to check with the town where these events occurred as the recent fee increase is only at the State level. The locally obtained copy may have a substantially lower cost.

Lunt, Derby, Severance Bible 1820s

2010-01-24T21:38:00.004-05:00

Looking for help finding this family bible that had many entries on the Lunts and Derbys that lived in the Orono, Maine, area. There was also a letter that dated back to 1776.

The bible was bought off eBay in 2002. I tried to contact buyer to get info from bible and to see the letter with no luck. I would love to buy it back, it's part of my family history.

Keith Lunt
PO Box 88
Fort Ann NY 12827
Phone: 518-639-4613
E-Mail: luntkeith@yahoo.com

Vital Records of Litchfield, Maine

2010-01-24T21:21:00.002-05:00

Maine Genealogical Society Special Publication #64 is now available. The Vital Records of Litchfield, Maine has been compiled by Marlene A. Groves.

The town of Litchfield is located in the southwestern corner of Kennebec County and is sixteen miles south-southwest of Augusta, the state capitol. The town was settled early and a survey in 1776 gives the names of these early settlers and the location of their lots. They were Benjamin Hinckley with lot 1, Eliphalet Smith with lot 2, Barnabus Baker with lot 3, Thomas Smith with lot 4, Benjamin Smith with lot 5 and Barnabus Baker, Jr., with lot 6. The town was first called Smithfield Plantation and incorporated as the 93rd town in Maine on 18 February 1795. Between 1827 and 1867 land was set off from Litchfield to the towns of Wales, Kennebec, West Gardiner and Webster.

608 pages, hard cover, 24,919 entry Every Name Index. 2010.

The book sells for $79.50, but MGS members pay only $69.50! For more information or to place an order, please visit Picton Press, official publisher of Maine Genealogical Society Special Publications at www.pictonpress.com.

To learn more about other MGS Special Publications visit our website at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~megs.

Membership number required to receive the MGS member discount.