Greenbush genealogy well-done

“The History and Genealogy of Greenbush, Maine” by Eleanor M. Crouch and Joyce M. Sanborn is a fine addition to books on Maine towns. Settled in the early part of the 19th century, the town just north of Milford was incorporated in 1834. Cardville and Olamon are parts of Greenbush.

Most of the hardcover book is devoted to genealogy, with a 95-page index to help your search. I especially like the practice of listing the parents of each spouse, where known, including the mother’s maiden name.

The surnames included are too numerous to list, but here are the major ones, including places the family lived before coming to Greenbush:

Adams, from Caratunk; Ashe; Avery, Monroe; Bailey, Milford and Boston; Ballard; Bean, Clinton; Betters; Brown, Montville; Burr; Campbell, Brewer; Card, Nova Scotia; Carroll, New Brunswick; Comstock, Thomaston; Costigan; Cunningham, Edgecomb; Dunn, Cape Cod and Ireland; Eastman; Edgerly, New Durham; Eldridge, Chatham, Mass.

Folsom, Palmyra; Fowler, Greenfield; Francis; Hamel; Harriman, Orland; Harris, England; Horton, Monroe; Jackson, Plymouth; Kennedy, Newcastle and Ireland; Libby, Portsmouth; Littlefield; Lowell, Baldwin, N.H.; Lugdon; Maddan/Madden, St. George and Ireland; McLaughlin, Scotland; McPheters, Orono; Ogden; Page, East Conway, N.H.

Rollins; Sanborn, England; Scott, Ireland; Shirland; Sibley, Halifax, Nova Scotia; Smart; Smith, Nova Scotia; Spearin, Sebec and Clinton; Spencer, South Berwick; Twitchell, Bethel and Boston; Urquhart, New Brunswick; Vowles, England; Wheeler; White, Wenham, Mass.; Young, Alna and Cape Cod.

The book is available for $40 plus $4 postage from Eleanor Crouch, 66 Cardville Road, Greenbush, ME 04418. You also may call her at 827-7486, or e-mail her at burnttoast6@juno.com, and type “Greenbush book” in the subject matter. Copies are selling fast, but Crouch promises to order more if necessary.

There is also a copy of the book in the Bangor Room at Bangor Public Library.

On another topic, you may have noticed the growth in businesses offering help in doing life stories, family history and the like. There are many more than we could list, but here are some examples:

Author Denis Ledoux has a book, “Turning Memories into Memoirs: A Handbook for Writing Lifestories,” and also has produced a curriculum manual on the topic. Both he and others around the country offer workshops based on these materials. You may contact him at Soleil Press, 95 Gould Road, Lisbon Falls, ME 04252; telephone 353-5454 or (888) 80-STORY; or www.turningmemories.com. His books are also available through bookstores.

In Rockwood, Peggy Mooers and Charles Michaud have a studio for “Life Story,” a company specializing in using video to help seniors preserve memories and record their stories. Mooers and Michaud travel the state to do this. You may reach Mooers at 534-0923 days, or e-mail lifehistory@prexar.com.

From Stockton Springs, Donna Gold offers “Life Review Workshops,” both one-time sessions and continuing workshops. Other facets of her work include stories based on photographs, cookbook legacy, specialty workshops, individualized programs and newsletters. You may write her at RR1 Box 1297, Stockton Springs, ME 04981, call 567-4172, or check the Web at www.personalhistory.org.

That’s a short list. Also, you may contact an organization such as a historical society and ask about resources in your area for working on family or personal history.

3177. MARTIN-OUELLETTE-BISHOP. Seeking information on my great-grandparents and family, who lived in Kingman and Winn area. Edith Marie Martin, b. Nov. 2, 1859/60, Frenchville, to parents from Quebec, Vincent Edouard Martin and Anastasia (Ouellette) Martin, b. 1825. Edith md. Theodore John Bishop, Dec. 1878, Kingman. In 1880 census, Josie Willet and husband Thomas Willet, listed as brother-in-law. Would Josie, perhaps Edith’s sister, be Josephine? Edith dd. Feb. 28, 1928, Kingman. Theodore John Bishop b. 1849/50, Canada, parents unknown. Came to Kingman 1872, perhaps with Peter Bishop. John a “shingle buncher” in 1880, at which time brother Joseph, b. New Brunswick, living with the family. John d. May 1, 1894, bd. Macwahoc. Children of Edith and John Bishop, b. Kingman: Theodora “Flora,” b. April 1880, md. Thomas Thompson 1897, Winn; John Almon, b. Nov. 1884, md. Cleora Alma Bishop, 1909, Kingman; Rose, my grandmother, b. Feb. 1886, md. William Keegan, 1907, Winn; Rose md. Samuel Marble in 1918; Elizabeth, b. Aug. 1887, md. Frank Dishon, 1909, Kingman; Mary Delia, b. Feb. 1890, d. 1920. Interested in info, pictures, written articles. Judy Vickery, 482 Memorial Drive, Winthrop, ME 04364.

3178. RAFFERTY. Have been searching for information on Tom Rafferty, possible relative who would have lived in or near New England 1910-15. Probably born 1890, lived in Portland area awhile, traveled into New Brunswick. Cloverdale or Coverdale. Any help appreciated. Frank Shields, P.O. Box 127, Stillwater, ME 04489; or e-mail Fshie54686@aol.com.

Send queries to Family Ties, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402; or send e-mail to familyti@bangordailynews.net.