Genealogical articles in some of the country’s most distinguished journals are, on occasion, written by researchers with the letters FASG at the end of their names.

At any one time, only 50 people have the privilege of using that designation, as a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists. For the first time, a member has been chosen who primarily is a Maine researcher – Texas resident Joseph C. Anderson II.

As pointed out by Marlene Groves, editor of the Maine Genealogical Society newsletter, Anderson is the editor of both the Maine Genealogist – the society’s quarterly publication, and of the “Maine Families in 1790” project, which will publish Volume 7 in the spring. He also is co-editor of the quarterly we know as TAG, The American Genealogist.

The criteria for election as an FASG is a person’s published genealogical scholarship. Members certainly are the cream of the crop – but we already knew that about Joe Anderson.

Marlene Groves has packed a lot of information into the December MGS newsletter, including an address for the Czechoslovak Genealogical Society: PO Box 16225, St. Paul, Minn. 55116-0225.

Moving to Wales, those with ancestors from Monmouthshire may write to John Gale, 6 Crindau Road, Newport, South Wales, NP20 5LU, United Kingdom, or e-mail john_gale@bigfoot.com.

Are you a Longfellow? Or just interested in the family? A year from now, look for “The Ancestors and Descendants of the Immigrant William Longfellow of Newbury, Mass.” If you have something to share, send it along to the compiler, Russell C. Farnham, 800 North Berlin Point, Inverness, Fla. 34453-3668, or e-mail walrusgenealogy@juno.com.

Also, Picton Press in Rockport continues to add to its catalog of new publications and reprints. New reprints include three out-of-print books by the late Charles Samuel Candage: “Heard-Hurd Genealogy 1610-1987,” “Descendants of William Heard and Abigail Crockett of Ash Point, Maine 1735-1987,” and “Crockett Genealogy 1610-1988: Some Descendants of Thomas Crockett of Kittery, Maine, including 1990 addendum.”

You may contact Picton Press at P.O. Box 250, Rockport, Maine 04856; telephone 236-6565; e-mail sales@pictonpress.com; or check the Web site at www.pictonpress.com.

If you drop by your local historical society, you may be surprised to find out how much activity goes on there. In terms of genealogy, the Hampden Historical Society has been one of the state’s more active groups for several years.

A recent newsletter pointed out that archivist Nadine Hoyt has counted more than 1,300 guests registering to do research there since 1995. In addition, she has mailed requests to 23 states and New Brunswick for information about some 75 Hampden families.

The archive has been named in honor of the late Kathryn Trickey, a loyal member for many years.

Dues are $10 for a single membership, $20 for a family, sent to Hampden Historical Society, Box 456, Hampden 04444. The group also has a very nice brochure publicizing its 2001 calendar, cookbook, art montage by Michael Poulin, and book of selections and drawings from Luther Varney’s journals, among other items.

I always enjoy newsletter visits to the past. A recent issue from the Cherryfield-Narraguagus Historical Society excerpted the Narraguagus Times from 1900, including news of how the Fourth of July was celebrated that year. Activities included a program of outdoor sports, a national salute on the historic grounds of Indian Point, and the “Calithumpian Parade” with 50 horsemen. There were horse races, bicycle races, canoe races and baseball games.

Dues are $3 a year, or $100 for a life membership, send to Cherryfield-Narraguagus Historical Society, P.O. Box 96, Cherryfield 04622-0096. The group also has a number of items available for sale.

3051. TIBBETTS-TUCKER. Seek ancestry for James Tibbetts of Dexter, b. Feb. 13, 1790; d. March 16, 1826, Penobscot County. He md. 1812, Jane Tucker, daughter of John Tucker and Phebe Heard. Edwin M. Bullard Jr., 44 Park St., Caribou, ME 04736; or telephone 498-3246.

3052. MEADER. Sarah (?) Meader, 37, in census for Ellsworth, 1850, wife of Allen Meader, 38. Children: Daniel G., 14; Allen Jr., 9; John, 7; Frank, 5; George, 3. Constance R. Hanscom, P.O. Box 125, Ellsworth, ME 04605.

3053. BAKER-WHITNEY. Seeking ancestry of John Baker and wife Sarah Whitney. They had a daughter, Hannah Baker, of Dover or Dedham, Mass., who md. Dec. 11, 1734, Joseph Dean II, b. Feb. 11, 1710-1711, son of Joseph Dean and Mary Faxon of Dedham. Children of Joseph and Hannah Dean, all b. Dedham: Joseph, 1735, md. Sarah Baker; Carolinn, b. 1737, md. John Carbee; Sarah, b. Oct. 24, 1740, md. Jeremiah Fisher; Namah, b. May 24, 1744; Luke, md. May 29, 1750, md. Rebecca Russell, my line. Danny W. Howard, DECF Box 428, Machiasport, ME 04655.

Send queries with Maine connections to Family Ties, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, Maine 04402; or e-mail familyti@bangordailynews.net. Full name and address of sender is required even if e-mail is used.