"Here Rests in Honored Glory" features Maine soldier

Master Sergeant Gary I. Gordon of Lincoln, Maine, the Delta Force sniper who gave his life to save Michael Durant when Durant's Black Hawk helicopter was shot down over Mogadishu, Somalia, dreamed of writing writing children's stories and was devoted to his wife and two kids.

Author Andrew DeKever, a U.S. Army major who has published a book of Medal of Honor recipient biographies, entitled "Here Rests in Honored Glory" writes that one of those featured is Gary Gordon of Lincoln, who received the Medal posthumously for his service in Somalia.

From the preface of the book:
"Gary Gordon's selfless actions and personal sacrifice, the sacrifice of each of the heroes chronicled in this work, and the sacrifices of countless others throughout our nation's history, can never be repaid, only honored. In researching each of these heroes and capturing the details of each of their lives, Andrew has done just that. I now understand not just what Gary Gordon did, but who he was. I can appreciate what drove him to serve in the Special Forces units he volunteered for and what drove him without hesitation to sacrifice his life for my crew. Through this work, Andrew has honored Gary and all of these men, their families, and their comrades. By helping us all understand the people behind these incredible stories, he's done this nation a great service."
—Michael J. Durant Chief Warrant Officer 4, U.S. Army (Ret.)

For more information, please go to the Merriam Press website at www.merriam-press.com.

Note: All of the author's royalties from this book will be donated to Chapter 23 of the Disabled American Veterans in Michigan City, Indiana, which is named in the honor of Daniel Bruce.

Dennison/Denison Family of Cutler, Maine

MGS Member Brent Owen is seeking location of and contact for genealogical records of Arlene Dennison in connection with research on John Denison, d. poss. Machias or East Machias, Dec. 1810, and his children.

His email is brentmowen@sbcglobal.net.

Daniel Frank Robinson

MGS Member Jane Owens is looking for parents of Daniel Frank Robinson b. 1810 ME perhaps in the Falmouth, Westbrook, Portland area. His son Clinton A. Robinson b. 1837 ME. Family lore has it that our Robinsons were in the ship building or related occupations. Daniel Robinson m. Sarah J. Simonton dau. of James Simonton who was a shipwright. Could John Robinson of Portland, ME in the 1840 census as a "navigator" be Daniel Frank Robinson's father?

Jane Owens
3390 E. Torrey Pines Lane
Chandler, AZ 85249
mouge63@cox.net

2008 Conference Registration Form Now Available

Maine Genealogical Society invites you to be a part of our exciting 2008 annual conference. We are proud to have developed a reputation for the outstanding quality of our conferences and the 2008 conference promises to be just as awesome! The details can all be discovered at our conference website at www.maineroots.org.

To download and print the conference flyer and registration form, visit http://www.maineroots.org/2008conferenceflyer.pdf.

Make plans to attend now and we'll see you in September!

James Poulin

MGS Member William Cates is researching James Poulin b. abt. 1854 Canada. According to family may have married a woman of Native American Indian descent. Shown living with his son Elmer – 1930 US Census for Waterville, Maine. Elmer was born 5 June 1898 in Vassalboro, Maine (Draft card). Other then Elmer’s birth I can find no trace of the family before 1930.


Any help would be greatly appreciated!

William's email address is ancestry@eagleswind.com.

Family Tree Magazine Announces New Podcast

Hear about the best genealogy tools and tips directly from Family Tree Magazine's editors and experts! Tune in to the Family Tree Magazine Podcast for a 30-minute dose of genealogy education and fun. I

n this monthly online radio show, host Lisa Louise Cooke—creator of the popular Genealogy Gems podcast—takes you behind the scenes to learn more about the topics covered in the magazine. Each episode features interviews with genealogy experts and Family Tree Magazine editors on using genealogy Web sites, records and resources. Plus, editor Allison Stacy gives you sneak previews on upcoming issues and managing editor Diane Haddad delivers the scoop on the latest genealogy news.

Listening is easy! To learn more or to listen to the podcast, visit http://www.familytreemagazine.com/podcast/.

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.

June Genealogical Events

Here's what's happening genealogically around the state for June:

June 7, 2008
Greater Portland Chapter of MGS
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Your Shaker Ancestors presented by Linda Aaskov

June 7, 2008
Taconnett Falls Chapter of MGS
Winslow, Maine
Annual Plant Sale

June 8, 2008
Pejepscot Genealogical Society
Brunswick, Maine
Black Sheep and Family Secrets
Member Participation - Bring Your Stories!

June 14, 2008
Taconnett Falls Chapter of MGS
Winslow, Maine
Annual Genealogy Fair

June 18, 2008
Penobscot County Genealogical Society
Bangor, Maine
Annual Cookout

Free Access to Historic Military Records at Ancestry.com

Every family has its heroes! Discover yours for free through May 31st.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and The Generations Network, Inc., parent company of Ancestry.com, recently announced an agreement that makes millions of historical records more easily available to the American public. The agreement allows for the ongoing digitization of a wealth of historical content, including immigration, birth, marriage, death and military records.

To commemorate the NARA-Ancestry.com agreement on the eve of Memorial Day, Ancestry.com is making its entire U.S. Military Collection -- the largest online collection of American military records -- available for free to the public. From May 20 through May 31, people can log on to http://www.ancestry.com/military to view more than 100 million names and 700 titles and databases of military records, the majority of which come from NARA, from all 50 U.S. states.

What could be more inspiring than discovering the heroes in your own family tree? Many of us have ancestors who shaped history by fighting for what they believed in. They sacrificed their time - and possibly even their lives. They deserve to be remembered. Surf on over to ancestry.com and find yours now!

Charles Maxwell and Sarah Williams Chace/Chase

Member Joan B. Brown writes that her longest and most difficult genealogical search has been for her ggg-grandparents:

Charles Maxwell of Wales, ME married, 9 Aug 1845 in Wales, Sarah Williams Chace/Chase of Taunton, MA. Joan says she has never been able to discover how two people, who lived so far apart, met and married. Sarah was the daughter of Thomas Robinson Chase and Sarah Ann Godfrey. The origin of Charles Maxwell is a complete mystery to her.

All suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Joan's e-mail address is mayflower@htwc.biz.