Jerry & Janice Gower Receive Award

It was a bit of a wait, but the Gowers finally received their official award at the November 7th meeting of the Greater Portland Chapter of the MGS. Due to illness, they were unable to attend the annual conference back in September where Joe Anderson, chair of the MGS Awards Committee, announced that they were the recipients of the Award of Excellence in Genealogical Research.

We are proud of the efforts both Jerry and Janice have made in furthering the Maine Families in 1790 series, among other research efforts.

For more information on our awards and on the Gowers' contributions, please visit our website at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~megs/awards/awards.htm.

Joseph Crook Anderson II, FASG, Honored

Joseph Crook Anderson II was honored for his contributions to MGS at the Annual Conference held in Bangor, Maine, on September 26, 2009, being presented with the inaugural Clayton Rand Adams Memorial Award.

MGS was honored to have Clayton's widow, Nancy, and his daughter, Sarah, join us for the introduction of this award and the announcement of its first recipient.

MGS President Dale Mower stated -
In considering this award, it seems indeed fitting that the first recipient is Joe Anderson.

Joe and Clayton had a deep respect for each other, which was particularly apparent at conferences and during Executive Committee meetings.

As for credentials, Joe is a Certified Genealogist and a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists - a true honor as there are only 50 lifetime members. Election to that society is based on a candidate's published genealogical scholarship.

Joe serves as editor of The American Genealogist, joining that publication in 1999.

Where MGS is concerned, the names Joe Anderson and Maine Genealogical Society are synonymous. The list of Joe's contributions to MGS are lengthy.

Joe serves as editor of the Society's scholarly journal, The Maine Genealogist. Beginning as a co-editor in February 1991 when the journal transitioned from The Maine Seine to its current format, Joe became its editor with Lois Thurston in February 1994, and has been its sole editor since August 1998.

As chair of the Publications Committee, Joe also oversees all of the special publications projects. He has transcribed early town records. He has been instrumental in the success of the Maine Families in 1790 series. He joined that project in 1992 as Associate Editor of Volume 3, working with the projects founder Ruth Gray. He was Co-Editor with Lois Thurston of Volume 4, and has been the series sole editor from Volume 5 on. He oversees all the special publications projects -reviewing, editing and working closely with the authors of all the Maine Families in 1790 sketches that are submitted for publication.

We are also fortunate that we can occasionally entice Joe to leave his home in Texas to come up to Maine to give lectures.

But probably the most significant contribution that Joe makes to the society is the inspiration and encouragement he gives to fellow researchers. He knows how to gently push trying to bring out the best analysis and research. I know that whenever I've encountered a problem, I can rely on being able to bounce it off Joe.

I would also like to mention that all of the contribution that Joe provides to MGS he does out of his love of the state and his generosity. His efforts for the Society are non-compensated and purely voluntary. And he does all of this in addition to his full-time job and family time - and I know that he is very devoted to his family.

Aside from his genealogical achievements I have to say that I always look forward to catching up with Joe at a conference. Joe can be summed up as being just an all-around nice guy.

Joe Anderson is pretty much the heart and soul of MGS.

THE CLAYTON RAND ADAMS MEMORIAL AWARD
Presented to
JOSEPH CROOK ANDERSON II, FASG

In recognition of his ongoing role as author, compiler
and editor of The Maine Genealogist, The Maine Families in 1790
project and transcriptions of early town records
from across the State of Maine.

The Maine Genealogical Society honors his extraordinary
contributions and selfless dedication to the Society
and to advancing the field of genealogy in the State of Maine.

September 26, 2009

Clayton Rand Adams Memorial Award Introduced

Maine Genealogical Society proudly introduced the Clayton Rand Adams Memorial Award at its Annual Conference held in Bangor, Maine, on September 26, 2009. The award was introduced by MGS President Dale W. Mower with the following comments:

As many of you know, MGS lost a true friend back in December, 2008.

Clayton Rand Adams served for many years as president of MGS, he was the driving force in helping shape the Society as we know it today.

Clayton's dedication to genealogical research and publication extended far beyond documentation of his own family lines. As an enthusiastic member of MGS he served as its director for several years, president for 11 years, and a contributing editor to the society's journal. He wrote prodigiously for all of the Society's publications, including nearly 190 family histories appearing in the Maine Families in 1790 series.

I had the pleasure of serving on the Executive Committee with Clayton for a couple of years. He extended a warm welcome to me onto that committee. I must say that I was a little in awe of the man. He was outspoken and witty. He encouraged so many of us to participate in whatever small way we can to help make the Society better.

When he stepped down as President, he indeed left big shoes to fill. I've tried, but I ain't been able to do it yet!

This award will be presented at the Executive Committee's pleasure and will be used to recognize individuals whose contribution to the Society and the community are truly significant. It will recognize those individuals whose outstanding achievement, leadership, ingenuity and superior performance set a model for all of us to emulate.

Clayton set the standard for this award and it is with honor that we announce the "Clayton Rand Adams Memorial Award."

MGS Honors Gerald & Janice Gower

Maine Genealogical Society announced at its annual conference held in Bangor on September 26, 2009, that Gerald F. & Janice D. Gower were the recipients of its Award of Excellence in Genealogical Research.

Joe Anderson, chair of the MGS Awards Committee, reported that consideration was given to presenting it to just one of them, but the Gowers very much work as a team and honoring one and not the other would be a bit of an injustice.

Jerry and Janice have been invaluable in their support of the Maine Families in 1790 series, having contributed 215 families for the last 6 volumes and many more for the upcoming Volume 11. Not only have they contributed families, they have led workshops encouraging and teaching various genealogical groups around the state about the 1790 project and they have taken a number of individuals under their wing to help them work up their first submissions to the project. Both have also contributed over the years numerous articles and source material for publication in The Maine Genealogist and have served as Contributing Editors of the journal for several years.

Congratulations to Jerry & Janice!

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH
presented to
GERALD F. AND JANICE D. GOWER
In recognition of their outstanding efforts and scholarship in support of the Maine Families in 1790 project and The Maine Genealogist, and for tirelessly helping and encouraging others to contribute to MGS publications.
The Maine Genealogical Society honors their extraordinary contributions to the field of genealogy in the State of Maine.
September 26, 2009

MGS Honors Valdine Chalmers Atwood

At the 2009 Annual Conference held in Bangor on September 26, 2009, Maine Genealogical Society presented Valdine Chalmers Atwood with its Award of Excellence in Genealogical Service.

Valdine Chalmers Atwood has long been recognized as the authority on the history and genealogy of the families of the Machias area specifically and Washington County generally. She has been a member of the Washington County Genealogical Society since 1993, in which year it was established, and has served as its Secretary since 1995, its Program chair since 1995 and as its Newsletter editor since 2005.

Val is indefatigable in sharing her knowledge and resources with others. She has participated as a lecturer at two week-long and one day-long genealogical workshops held in Washington County, was a speaker at the MGS 10th anniversary conference in Augusta and at the annual meeting /fall conference held in Ellsworth, was a presenter in the research room at the MGS conference in Machias, has participated in most of the 17 annual genealogy fairs hosted by the Alexander-Crawford Historical Society and the more recent annual fairs of the Charlotte Historical Society, and will be a participant in the genealogy fair to be held in August in conjunction with the bicentennial celebration of Calais. Val has contributed four sketches to the Maine Families in 1790 series, was co-compiler of the vital records of East Machias, which appear as a printed volume in the Maine DAR Miscellaneous Records series, and has made an informal transcription of the Machias vital records.

Val is a long term member of MGS and of NEHGS. In Washington County she is a member of the Machias, Machiasport, Pembroke and Dennysville historical societies.

In 1999 Val was appointed by the Washington County Commissioners as a member of the Washington County Archives Preservation Committee and has served as chairman of this committee since 2002. The committee was charged by the Commissioners to oversee the preservation of the large collection of Washington County newspapers dating back to 1818 to present day, over 600 volumes, stored in the attic of the court house. The committee has overseen either the purchase or microfilming of over half the collection, which microfilming continues as funds become available. Additionally during her time as committee chairman various boxes containing documents of all kinds dating back to the 1830s were "unearthed" from various nooks and crannies of the attic and other locations in the court house, including such items as coroner's jury reports, county tax and expenditure records, road records, etc. The committee has overseen the inventorying of these records, which in the near future will be available to the public for research.

Val has been a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution for 55 years. She has served as Regent of the Hannah Western Chapter DAR of Machias for 3 years and has served as chapter Secretary for 41 years. In addition, she has been Registrar of the chapter, officially for 2 years and unofficially for 12 years, and has served as chairman of many chapter committees and Chair of the Burnham Tavern Museum, a committee of the chapter, for 38 years.

Val has also served in Maine State Organization, DAR, serving as State Regent 1980-83. In addition, she has served as State Vice-Regent, State Chaplain, and as State Recording Secretary. She has also served as State Chairman of five committees, including Genealogical Records. On the national level DAR Val has served as National Vice Chairman of six committees, as a National Marshall and as National Page.

Val has a large personal library of genealogical materials relating to Washington County which she readily shares with others at the various fairs and at her home. The library was begun by her mother and continues to grow. It contains 17 file draws of data relating to Washington County families, plus 60 lineal feet of notebooks containing vital records, cemetery and historical data for Washington County towns. In addition she has a large collection of published books relating to Washington County, Maine and other New England states, and Canada. Val assists people all over the United States who inquire about their Washington County families. Locally the library, town office and the court house direct researchers to her door so that she can assist them with their family research.

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN GENEALOGICAL SERVICE
presented to
VALDINE CHALMERS ATWOOD
In recognition of her years of service in the area of society volunteerism, lecturing and writing,
and her tireless efforts to preserve the old records of Washington County.
Maine Genealogical Society honors her extraordinary contributions in advancing the field of genealogy in the State of Maine.
September 26, 2009

2008 Award Winner Bob Chenard

At its annual conference on September 20th, Maine Genealogical Society was pleased to recognize Bob Chenard's contributions to the genealogical community. He was presented with the 2008 Award of Excellence in Genealogical Service.

For those not familiar with Bob, let's run down a few of his contributions:

Bob has been a member of the Taconnett Falls Chapter of MGS since 1992 and has held the position of Vice-President twice. He is currently serving as VP Director in the Maine-Franco American Genealogical Society of Auburn/Lewiston.

He has compiled computer listings of over 100,000 Franco-American marriages in over 700 family surnames, most of which are tied back to the original European ancestors of the 16th and 17th centuries. These listings are freely available for researchers visiting the Taconnett Genealogical Library in Winslow.

He has published a 3-volume set of parish records for the oldest Catholic parish in the Waterville area covering the period 1830-1975; and has also published the parish records of St. Joseph's in Old Town.

Bob has authored several articles that have appeared in a wide variety of publications. In the FORUM published by the University of Maine's Franco-American Center you will find several of his family genealogies since 1989. The Central Maine Sentinel published a series of genealogical and historical articles over a span of 2-3 years in the mid-1990s. He also wrote an article on French genealogical research that was included in 'Voyages - A Maine Franco-American Reader.'

In 1997, he established a large website on Franco-American genealogy at a time when there were few such websites. His website received several awards and one national publication listed it as one of the top 100 genealogical websites.

Never tiring, he is currently in the process of compiling all the pre-1876 parish records in Beauce county, Quebec, which includes persons born as early as the 17th century and many living into the 20th century. This is a 5-year project transcribing original microfilm records into a large database. Beauce county is particularly important to central Maine's Franco population since some 80% of the pre-1900 Quebec immigrants into that part of the Maine had roots in that county.

Bob is a frequent lecturer and instructor to adult education classes and various genealogical and historical societies around the state. Perhaps he best promotes genealogy by offering assistance and information to those in need of specialized help in finding their Franco-American roots. And we are talking anyone, anytime, anywhere! Via e-mail or you might just find him at a genealogical library near you.

Bob Chenard epitomizes what service to the genealogical community is all about.

The plaque presented is inscribed:

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN GENEALOGICAL SERVICE

PRESENTED TO

ROBERT CHENARD

In recognition of his years of work in the area of Franco-American genealogy as an author, lecturer, and instructor, and his volunteer efforts on behalf of the Taconnett Falls Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society.

Maine Genealogical Society honors his extraordinary contributions to the Society and for advancing the field of genealogy in the State of Maine.

September 20, 2008

To learn more about the Maine Genealogical Society's awards, please visit our www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~megs/awards.htm.

2008 Award of Excellence in Genealogical Service - Call for Nominations

We're looking for nominations! This is the time to help recognize that unsung genealogical hero who has contributed to your research success.

This award shall be presented to an individual in recognition of outstanding volunteer service to the field of genealogy in and related to the State of Maine through, but not limited to:
volunteer work to genealogical organizations and/or local libraries; efforts making genealogical and historical information more accessible to researchers (transcription of vital and other genealogical records, or publication of genealogical research either in print or electronic media);
education (through lectures and participation in presenting workshops);
maintaining genealogical website(s); and promotion of genealogy.

Nominations shall indicate qualifying service and contain biographical and other pertinent information. The person making the nomination must be member in good standing with Maine Genealogical Society.

MGS Members may download the nomination form at our main website: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~megs/nomination.pdf.

You can read about our 2007 winner, Thelma Eye Brooks, at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~megs/award_genealogical_service.htm.

2007 Award of Excellence in Genealogical Service presented to Thelma Eye Brooks

Maine Genealogical Society at its conference on September 22, 2007, presented Thelma Eye Brooks with new Award of Excellence in Genealogical Service, in recognition of her years of service in the areas of society volunteerism, teaching and writing. Among her many accomplishments are the publication of the Hermon Roots newsletter from 1989-1999; authorship of a book on 3 generations of early Calais families (published by Heritage Books); and the self-publication of 13 books (5 family books and 8 funeral home records). She also wrote a column "Roots and Branches" which appeared regularly in the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel for 15 years. Thelma has served as president, vice-president and secretary of Taconnett Falls Chapter of MGS, where she has also served on their library committee since 1990 and has served as its chair since 2000. Thelma has taught classes on genealogy, coordinated historical and genealogical research with the Waterville Public Library, and has been a frequent speaker for many genealogical and historical societies.

More than any of these specific accomplishments, the most wonderful thing about Thelma is that she is always willing to share her knowledge and experience with everyone. She is always a "can do" person and works tirelessly for Taconnett Genealogical Library, the chapter, and genealogy researchers everywhere.

Maine Genealogical Society honors her extraordinary contributions to the Society and for advancing the field of genealogy in the State of Maine.

2007 Award of Excellence in Genealogical Research presented to Marlene A. Groves

Maine Genealogical Society at its annual conference on September 22, 2007, presented Marlene A. Groves with its new Award of Excellence in Genealogical Research, in recognition of her outstanding scholarship in carefully transcribing and publishing volumes of Maine town vital records and for encouraging others to do the same. Her published works include: Vital Records of Lisbon, Maine, Prior to 1892; Vital Records of Islesboro, Maine; Vital Records of Rockland, Maine; Vital Records of South Thomaston, Maine; Vital Records of St. George, Maine; Vital Records of Warren, Maine; Vital Records of Union, Maine; Vital Records of Camden/Rockport, Maine; Vital Records of Friendship, Maine;. Vital Records of Matinicus, Maine; Vital Records of Washington, Maine; and Records of the Rockland Congregational Church 1835-1945. She has also compiled the Index to Maine Seine and The Maine Genealogist and the indices to History of Old Broad Bay and Waldoboro; North's History of Augusta; Wheeler's History of Brunswick, Topsham and Harpswell; and Allen's History of Dresden. In addition, Marlene has also published 3 genealogies of her family: Descendants of John Clarke, Malbon Genealogy and Hinckleys of Maine.

Maine Genealogical Society honors her extraordinary contributions to the field of genealogy in the State of Maine.