Mercure Papers refer to Indians of Canada, Maine

Last year we told you about Roger Paradis editing “Papiers de Prudent L. Mercure: Histoire du Madawaska.” Madawaska, as you may know, refers to a region of Maine and eastern Canada, not just the town by that name.

Those looking for American Indian roots in the St. John Valley and parts of Canada may find it worthwhile to peruse the volume for references to Maliseets and Micmacs, as well as Franco-Americans.

Part of the book is in French, part in English, but you can figure out some of the records in French even if you’re not fluent in the language.

One section includes baptisms from “le vingt-neuf d’aout 1767,” Aug. 29, 1767. An example is:

“B. Pierre Boiteaux. Pierre Noel, fils de Pierre Boiteaux et de Marie Joseph, age de trois ans. Mikmaks. Parrain, Noel, et marraine, Marie Therese.”

Baptized. Pierre Boiteaux. Pierre Noel, son of Pierre Boiteaux and Marie Joseph, age 3 years. Micmacs. Godfather, Noel, and godmother, Marie Therese.

The editor, a professor at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, also points out that one surname found in the book, “Ours,” is a Malecite (Maliseet) clan name.

This part of the book includes extracts from registers of old families of the Madawaska region by Abbe Charles Francois Bailly, a priest, 1767-1768 and 1806-1809, from parishes such as St. Basile, New Brunswick; St. Andre in Kamouraska, Quebec; and Ste. Anne in what was then Pays-Bas in New Brunswick.

Jumping ahead to 1902, a letter by James Farrel, superintendent of Indians in the St. John Valley region of New Brunswick, stated that there were an estimated 1,600 Indians in that region.

He wrote that there were 40 in Edmundston, New Brunswick; 200 in Tobique; 63 in Woodstock; 106 in Kingsclear; 106 in St. Mary’s; 76 in Oromocto; 27 in Upper Gagetown; and 75 in St. John, Kings and Charlotte counties.

The book is available in the Bangor Room at Bangor Public Library, at Madawaska Public Library, at the Maine State Library in Augusta and in Special Collections at University of Maine libraries on campuses in Orono, Fort Kent and Presque Isle.

What a nice time I had recently with members of the Priscilla Alden Colony of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Maine.

Next up for the group is the meeting of the state society at noon Saturday, May 4, at the Senator Inn in Augusta. The cost of the boneless chicken luncheon is $16, and reservations should be mailed today to Anne Deletetsky, 22 Cleaves St., Auburn.

Historian Judith Elfring will give a workshop for those interested in joining the society, or for members looking to brush up on research, at 10 a.m.

The luncheon speaker will be Tim Wilson, director of Seeds of Peace International in Otisfield. The organization offers a three-week camping experience bringing together teen-agers from Israel, Palestinian regions, Egypt, Jordan and other Middle East countries.

When I was in high school in Guilford, Wilson coached football in Dexter. He went on to become a state commissioner and do a variety of other things.

I met him a few months ago and found him absolutely fascinating. Good for the Mayflower Society for asking him to speak.

Jeanette Leighton of Steuben, who died April 13, was certainly known for her decades of teaching. But Alice Beal reminds us that she was also greatly admired as a genealogist and historian who generously lent her records to other researchers.

Before the days of photocopiers and e-mail, she said, Leighton sat “for hours, handwriting each entry in her books. She also wrote exact copies for the Henry Moore Library in Steuben. She gave so unselfishly of her time.”

“Those surnames which she has included in her records are Moore, Wakefield, Rosebrook, Leighton, Libby, Hyde, Kingsbury, Giddings, Green, Newberry, Phelps, Godfrey, Smith Jones and many others,” Beal said.

Beal said she hopes that copies of some of Leighton’s materials will be shared with local libraries.

Holding a family reunion this summer? Send along the info to Family Ties, and be sure to mention the names of the ancestors, so readers will know which family is gathering.

3183. GOOGINS-BUTLER. Would like information about descendants of Isiah or Isaiah Googins, md. Azubah Hapworth; Maria Googins, md. Ivory Foss; Dr. Emerson Googins, md. Mary Susan Peck; Johanna Googins, md. Hiram Foss; Jane B. Googins, md. whom?; Leman Googins, md. 1) Eliza Stratton; Mary Ann Googins, md. James H. Means; Eliza F. Googins, md.?; Dr. George Googins, md. 1) Mrs. Mary McClure 2) Belinda Ray Dyer; Emeline Googins, md. C.P. Alley; James Coleman Googins, md. Sophia Jones Leighton. Born 1806-1830, they were children of George B. and Sarah (Butler) Googins of Sullivan and Hancock, Hancock County. Also searching for info on Ruth Josephine Googins, b. Oct. 23, 1915, md. July 22, 1933, as second of five wives of Elliott Roosevelt, son of Pres. Franklin Delano and Eleanor Roosevelt. Who were Josephine’s parents, and were there children? Martha B. Higgins, 2500 Acorn Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30305.

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