History group helps buy microfilm for library

Many of you will remember what a great job the Hancock County Genealogical Society did last fall in sponsoring a state meeting of the Maine Genealogical Society.

The Hancock group’s local meetings and other activities are equally impressive.

The local society meets at 2:30 p.m. Saturdays, January through November, in the Riverview Room on the lower level at the Ellsworth Public Library.

“We have been asked, occasionally, if we have a ‘library,'” said Richard Spinney, president of HCGS. “We don’t, as our members typically donate their resources to the Ellsworth Public Library, and the society as a whole has shared in the cost of purchasing several items. We have been very fortunate to have the Ellsworth Public Library as a partner.”

The society recently contributed $500 toward the microfilming of portions of The Ellsworth American. The library has just obtained the 1941-1960 issues on microfilm, and has the entire run of that paper either on microfilm or on newspaper itself.

The library also has the Alvin S. Whitmore Memorial Collection of genealogical materials.

Charlene Fox Clemons, who is both assistant director at the library and secretary for HCGS, did a nice write-up for the society’s September newsletter, on new books at the library that are of particular interest to genealogists:

. “Marriages and Deaths in the Eastern Freeman, Ellsworth Herald and Ellsworth American, 1851-1891,” three volumes.

. “The Patten Family.”

. “Family Jordan.”

. “Sedgwick, Maine’s Resting Places, 1789-1999.”

. “Account Book of Brewer Building Co. & A.A. Kenney, 1910-1927.”

. “Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Maine, 1917-1919,” two volumes.

. “National Guard of the United States, State of Maine 1939 Yearbook,” with pictures of National Guard units in Maine for that year; includes histories of the units.

You can receive the newsletter by joining the Hancock County Genealogical Society for $5 a year, sent in care of Wayne Patten, treasurer, P.O. Box 243, Bass Harbor, ME 04653. The Web site is http://ellsworthme.org/hcgs.

As we mentioned a few weeks ago, the Stockton Springs Historical Society has several publications for sale: “The Story of Stockton Springs,” by Alice V. Ellis, originally printed 1955, $20; “Every Name Index” for the above, by John Chandler Clement, $4; “Letters of a New England Coaster,” by Ralph Griffin, $20; “Historical Sketch of Stockton Springs,” by Faustina Hichborn, paperback reprint of 1908 edition, not indexed, $10; “Private Yankee Doodle,” by Joseph Plumb Martin, about life in the Civil War, $5; “Stockton Springs Vital Records: 1857-1891,” compiled by Nancy S. Parsons, $11; “The Journal of Alexander Staples, 1854-1857,” published by H.O.M.E. Learning Center, $10; 1887 Town of Stockton map, $2; 1800 map, $2; historical pictorial calendars, $6, current year and back issues priced lower the last five months of the years.

You may place orders by writing the Stockton Springs Historical Society, P.O. Box 101, Stockton Springs, ME 04981. For postage and handling, add $3 for each item that is $10 or more; add $2 for the lower-priced ones.

A happy 100th birthday to Annie (Camber) Linscott, who was born Oct. 26, 1901, in Town Hill on Mount Desert Island. Now living in Bangor, she lived in Town Hill for more than 70 years with her late husband, Hollis Linscott Jr.

3151. DAWES-DAWS-DAW. Am putting this family together. Would like to hear from people with these surnames, and their descendants, in the state of Maine. Also interested to know if your line contains twins, which seem to be frequent in the Maine branch of this family. Wondering what connection there is between Maine Dawes and William Dawes who rode with Paul Revere. Sarah Bridges, HC 31 Box 660, Ellsworth, ME 04605.

3152. LITTLEFIELD. Seeking info on all Littlefields in northern half of state – Bangor area north, east and west. Cousin Charles Littlefield Seaman, Box 817, Ogunquit, ME 03907-0817; telephone 646-3753, is collecting vital records – births, marriages, deaths, lists of children. Maybe you’ll find a new cousin. Or contact me: Diane Coose Littlefield, 12 Severance St., Hampden, ME 04444-1324; or e-mail diancoos@tds.net.

3153. DAVIS-SMITH. Seeking information on a Jane (Smith) Davis from Wellington who was a Civil War nurse. She md. April 1828, Luther Davis, who was b. 1807 in Newfield. She had several children in Wellington, several served in Civil War – Luther, John, David and Gilman. Where is Jane buried? Any descendants who have knowledge of her? Where could I find written records of her? Wayne Bennett, P.O. Box 173, Guilford, ME 04443.

Send queries 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.