Bring old tools,” suggests Jennifer Wentz, “and various items representing life 100 years ago to add to the spirit of this 100th Hurd reunion.” Also, cream skimmers and butter churns, “but don’t limit yourself.”

The descendants of Samuel and Eliza (Knowles) Hurd have been gathering for the past century, and will meet next at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 9, at the Sebasticook Valley Snowmobile Club in Newport.

The first such reunion, writes reunion secretary Wentz, was held Nov. 27, 1902, in Stetson, at the home of Samuel Hurd Jr. The 1903 gathering was held at the home of George Fitts, also in Stetson.

In 1938, the reunion moved to the Stetson Grange Hall, and this will be the 30th edition of the event in Newport. Only in 1943, because of World War II, was the reunion omitted.

Are these your Hurds? The children of Samuel, 1812-1883, and Eliza, 1815-1874, were:

Lucy Margaret Hurd, 1833-1874, married Joseph Dresser.

Calista Everett Hurd, 1835-1854, married James Knowles.

Eliza Jane Hurd, 1836-1867, married Sam Gerry; married Thomas Dresser.

Sarah Josephine Hurd, 1837-1904, married James Chandler.

William Knowles Hurd, 1839-?, married Emma Wiggin.

Josiah E. Hurd, 1843-1864, died at the Battle of Petersburg.

Samuel Hurd Jr., 1845-1907, married Elizabeth Ann Cole.

Stephen Albert Hurd, 1846-1863.

Nancy Etta Hurd, 1848-1924, married George Fitts.

Frederick Hurd, 1852-?, married Emma Twitchell.

Edgar Hurd, 1857-?, married Leila Harvey.

Hannah Hurd, 1842, died in infancy.

The reunion will include a social hour for viewing of family pictures and memorabilia. Do bring new photos and make additions to the family charts. The potluck dinner begins at noon. Bring a dish and your place settings.

The program will include a business meeting and presentations or readings from the various “branches” of the family.

Chairmen of the branches are: Will, Virginia Seavey; Etta, Charlene Brown; Sam Jr., Rena Allen; Lucy, Jessie Walls; Sarah, Sharon Hopkins. There will be games for the kids, as well.

While we don’t have space to give this much information on every reunion, this seemed a good one to offer as an example of the kinds of activities that might be included in your reunion.

Good for the Garland Historical Society for choosing the town’s 200th birthday in 2001 to reprint Lyndon Oak’s “History of Garland, Maine.” First printed in 1912, and reprinted in 1976, the 401-page book is now available for just $10, or $13 if mailed.

Pointing to the town’s origins in 1801, Jim Bunn points out, “Many towns were settled at this time, and while this is about Garland, it gives us a glimpse of what life was like in the early 1800s, as well as how the pioneers built their communities out of the wilderness.”

The Joseph Garland family came to the area from Salisbury, N.H.

The book contains an index, including references to many well-known figures of the time in Maine, and listings of Civil War soldiers, for example.

Interestingly, a tribute to author Oak was written by Merritt C. Fernald, the first president of Maine State College. Oak and Fernald were instrumental in having the college – now the University of Maine – located in Orono.

This Garland history has many wonderful stories in it, and lots of tidbits relating to other towns in the area.

Send orders for the book to Garland Historical Society, in care of Jim Bunn, 407 Campbell Road, Garland, ME 04939; telephone 929-3925.

The Cropley Carr Family Reunion will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 15 at the Brookton-Forest City Community Center in Brookton. The town is in the northern portion of Washington County, handy to Baskahegan Lake.

The descendants of Joshua Williams of Great Pond will meet with the U.U. River Historical Society 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. July 27 at Amherst Town Hall, not far from Amherst General Store.

Bring a dish for the potluck dinner, and items for the auction and flea market. For information, contact Betsy Esancy, 445-2927; or e-mail toby94@pivot.net.

3187. DREW-DWYER-DUPLISEA. Seeking parents of Isaac Drew, b. March 3, 1829, Linneus; d. Jan. 8, 1864, Culpepper, Va. Also, would like to correspond with anyone researching Dwyer and Duplisea families of Aroostook County. Mary Lou Drew, 4824 Waterman Road, Vassar, MI 48768-9703; telephone (989) 823-3153.

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