Narramissic Notebook tells Civil War vet’s story

Maybe you’ve heard of John Ames, the Civil War veteran who was superintendent of schools and postmaster in Orland. The Orland Historical Society has a story about Ames in the inaugural issue of Narramissic Notebook, available for $2.50 at several businesses in Orland, Verona, Bucksport and nearby towns.

Other topics in the publication include Fran Bemis’ research on the first post office in Bucksport, the silent film festival planned at The Alamo in Bucksport, the 50th anniversary of the Orland Fire Department, and a letter that Charlotte Orcutt Snowman’s grandfather wrote to Ern Sugden. There are also new poems by Pat Ranzoni, Clarine Grenfell and Dave Davis.

The notebook is edited by Sharon Bray, with Dave and Virginia Davis as advisers. May 15 is the deadline for the next issue. For information, contact Bray at 469-7308 or e-mail sharonbray@midmaine.com.

Do set aside the date of Sept. 28 for the fall meeting of the Maine Genealogical Society at Southern Maine Technical College in South Portland. There will be the usual good variety of workshops, and of course the opportunity to meet “new” cousins.

Programs during the morning session will focus on census research, with Ruth Wellner of New England Historic Genealogical Society, and the Boston States Migration Project with Sharon Sargent.

In the afternoon, there will be a panel discussion on “Sticky Wickets and Problems.” Italian, Irish, Franco-American and American Indian genealogy are other topics the society is hoping to offer, as well as using the Internet for research.

Lynne Holland said there also may be two “pre-sessions,” one on beginning genealogy and the other on planning for what happens to our “stuff” after we’re not around to look after it. More details will follow.

The McKusick Family will hold a minireunion 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at the Carroll McKusick Farm in Parkman. Cooking facilities and soft drinks will be available.

You may be familiar with Charles E. McKusick’s “The Descendants of John McKusick and Mary Barker 1739-1993,” available at facilities such as Maine State Library in Augusta and Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft.

I have ancestors from Parkman, so maybe someday I’ll turn up a McKusick connection. Then I could be related to geneticist Dr. Victor McKusick; his twin brother, former Maine Supreme Court Chief Justice Vincent McKusick; and noted actor-director-banker-musician-theater founder Kent McKusick.

“Shaking the Family Tree,” a beginner’s workshop on genealogical research, will be presented 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Museum, 707 Shaker Road, New Gloucester, ME 04260.

Examples will be drawn from materials of the Shaker Library.

The fee of $35 includes the reference book, “Unpuzzling Your Past,” and preregistration is required. You may write the above address, call 926-4597, or send e-mail to usshakers@aol.com. Bring a bag lunch, beverage will be provided.

I’m sure that you know several people who served in the military during World War II. Do ask them if they have received a WWII walking stick from the Cole Land Transportation Museum.

If the answer is no, remind them that they can receive a walking stick free by attending the USO-style show at 1:30 p.m. Memorial Day, May 27, at the museum, 405 Perry Road, Bangor.

I, for one, wondered what would be discussed during the recent program of the Hancock County Genealogical Society by Cheryl Domina.

An employee of Craig Brook Fish Hatchery in Orland, Domina gave a presentation on books and documents containing names of many individuals who worked at the hatchery over the years, or had dealings with it.

3184. HENDERSON-INGRAHAM. Seeking information on family of my dad, Odber Arthur Henderson, b. June 19, 1887, Caribou or Woodland, son of Elmer Nicholas Henderson, b. 1858 Houlton, d. 1945, Twin Falls, Idaho; and wife Jennie Margaret (Ingraham), b. 1863 New Brunswick, d. 1948 Twin Falls. Odber d. Nov. 23, 1985, McMinnville, Ore. Jennie’s parents were Arthur and Eliza Ingraham, no info. Elmer’s parents were Edward Nicholas Henderson, b. Newcastle, England, d. in accident between Caribou and New Brunswick; and wife Catherine B. (Hammond) b. 1826 Donegal, Ireland, d. 1911, Woodland Center. Edward was son of Edward Henderson, b. 1813, Ninebanks, Northumberland. Also interested in Catherine’s father, Andrew Hammond, who wears a naval uniform in a photo I have. MarDee Henderson McDougal, 1339 North Irvine, McMinnville, OR 97128; or e-mail redhen@viclink.com.

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