State Archives data available temporarily at library

The search room at the Maine State Archives in Augusta continues to be closed due to a water leak, but there’s good news.

Many of the microfilm rolls – both town records and vital records by surname – have been moved across the hall to the Maine State Library in the interim.

Library staff tells us that the microfilm may be used 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays at the library. The microfilm readers there aren’t as numerous as in the search room, so you may have to take turns if the machines are busy.

The library is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Friday, until 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and noon-5 p.m. Saturday. Hours for using the archives microfilm are more limited for staff reasons, although occasionally there is a volunteer on hand for hours other than the ones I mentioned.

The staff at the archives and the library deserve a lot of credit for making sure these items remain accessible to eager researchers.

Let’s also give Richard Southard a pat on the back for passing on a very special black satchel to Bradford Heritage: Museum and Historical Society.

According to the spring newsletter, the well-worn bag contained the records of Charles D. Jameson Post No. 110, Grand Army of the Republic, including membership book, transfer forms and correspondence.

Civil War buffs could tell you that Jameson was the colonel who led the 2nd Maine Infantry at the First Battle of Bull Run, a group known as the Bangor Regiment. Bradford’s Abiathar J. Knowles earned the Medal of Honor in that battle.

If you’ve an interest in Bradford and its history, join Bradford Heritage for just $2, sent in care of treasurer Roderic C. Johnson, P.O. Box 11, Bradford, ME 04410.

The Shiretown Conserver, the newsletter of the Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society, is spreading the word about work to replace the missing Roll of Honor in that town.

If you have pictures of the previous roll, or information on participants in the Revolution, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam or the Gulf wars, contact American Legion Post Commander Gary Nelson at 876-3257.

Work is continuing on the society museum in the former Piscataquis Observer building.

Membership to the society costs $3, and may be sent in care of Madelyn Betts, 11 Harrison Ave., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426.

Did your forebears live in the Somerset town of Embden? Have you wished that someone would reprint Ernest G. Walker’s “Embden, Town of Yore”?

Embden Historical Society has done just that, making available the 700-page book, which covers the town’s history from the first settlers to the early 1900s.

The book is available for $60 if you pick it up from the historical society – call 566-7952, 635-2515 or 635-2294. Or order it through the mail for $65 in care of Phyllis Howell, P.O. Box 73, North Anson, ME 04958.

Interest in American Indian history is widespread, and college courses scheduled for the First Nations Summer Institute will fill that interest.

A four-week intensive course, “Indigenous Peoples of Northern Maine and New Brunswick,” is scheduled by the institute at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. The course about the written history of the Wabanaki will include a cultural awareness workshop, participation in a “sweat,” and the recording of oral histories.

A six-week anthropology course, “Archaeological Field School,” will be available for one to six credits.

These courses, designed to expand and preserve the history of Maine’s first people, are funded by a grant to UMPI and the Aroostook Band of Micmacs by the University of Maine System and the Maine Humanities Council.

Other projects funded include efforts by the Maine Acadian Heritage Council and the University of Maine at Fort Kent to research the American Indian experience in the St. John Valley; and work by UM, Maine’s Swedish Colony Inc. and area historical societies to document Swedish farm life in Aroostook County.

By the way, Family Ties has plenty of room for queries, so do send some along.

3095. WITHEE-GIDLEY. Seeking date and place of marriage for James H. Withee, son of Joseph and Sarah (Hutchins) Withee, and Flora T. Gidley, daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (Williams) Gidley. James was b. March 15, 1860, Corinna. Flora was b. Aug. 27, 1861, Iowa. James ran a gristmill for Brady’s in Ellsworth. Their daughters were Mable, Maud and Lillian Withee. Dottie Lapaire, 18 Holt Drive, Ellsworth, ME 04605; or telephone 667-1014.

3096. GRAY. Would like photo of my great-great-grandmother, Mary J. Gray, b. about 1830, d. 1924; possibly buried in Brooksville. She was wife of Edmond B. Gray. Will reimburse cost of photo on request. D.M. Redman, 18 First St. No. 4, Bangor, ME 04401.

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