Conference to offer 9 workshops

Check out the public genealogy conference to be held Saturday, Aug. 10, at Williams Junior High School in Oakland, sponsored by Silence Howard Hayden Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., with vendors on site from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch is from noon to 1:15 p.m. Participants may choose three of nine morning workshops:

. “Beginning Genealogy,” with Sharon Ann Paradis of Augusta, professional certified genealogist.

. “German-American Genealogy,” with Randy Gross of Waldoboro, Old Broad Bay Family History Association.

. “Daughters of the American Revolution,” and their resources, Ann Thomas of Augusta, DAR honorary state regent and professional genealogist.

. Two sessions of “Unlocking the Maine 1790 Census,” and using church records, tax records, probate records, and other sources, with historian Virginia Spiller of York.

. “Native American Genealogy,” with Nancy LeCompte of Lewiston, also known as Canyon Wolf, president of Ne-Do-Ba, an organization which explores topics relating to the Abnakis and relationships in western Maine.

. “U.S. Census,” emphasis on 1930, with Thelma Eye Brooks of Waterville, author, columnist, professional genealogist.

. “Franco-American Genealogy in Maine,” resources and methods, with Robert Chenard of Waterville.

. “Creating Memories Through Scrapbooking,” with Betty Gagnon of Winslow, consultant for Creative Memories, on old photos and albums.

From 1:30 to 3 p.m., participants may choose discussion time or a session on the Master Genealogist software program.

The cost is $8 with preregistration, or $10 at the door; lunch may be ordered in advance for $6. Send reservations to Judith Couture, 64 S. Alpine St., Oakland ME 04963. For information, e-mail shhdar@lycos.com; call Couture at 465-2252 or Carolyn Kelley at 465-2278; or write to Couture.

One of the nicest memorial honor rolls to service personnel, I think, is the Maine Korean War Memorial at Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor.

Dedicated eight years ago this month, the pagoda-style monument, a project of Burtone Goode-Sargent Chapter 1 of the Maine Korean War Veterans, now contains the names of 245 Mainers killed in Korea.

July 27 marks the 49th anniversary of the truce, and this is a beautiful time of year to visit the memorial, which includes a fascinating walkway of stones purchased by towns, organizations, families and individuals honoring veterans of several wars.

Honor rolls are a great genealogical resource, too. Abbot’s first roll was built in 1943 through the efforts of Giles Fogg, one of the 44 Abbot residents who had taken part in the war to that point. A few years ago, the roll was updated again to include personnel in recent wars, too, and I’m glad of that.

Lewis Page was the native son lost during World War II, and you can bet that I want to see the exhibit honoring him and all Abbot’s war veterans at the church in town during the July 27-28 celebration of Abbot’s 175th anniversary.

Settled as Moorestown, incorporated in 1827 as Abbot, the town has numerous activities scheduled: on Saturday, a parade at 10 a.m., free carriage rides, tractor display, Narrow Gauge engine, children’s activities, craft fair, military encampments and demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a special postmark from noon to 3 p.m., chicken barbecue at noon by the town office, concerts and antique appraisals at 1 p.m., woodsmen demonstration at 2 p.m., beano at 6 p.m. and a street dance at 8 p.m. at the tennis courts.

The parade will include 100 units, among them two convertibles carrying seven Pythian Sisters, including charter member Flora Moore.

The chicken barbecue is sponsored by Big Pine Snowmobile Club and Cole Land Transportation Museum. Galen Cole tells us that World War II veterans who march in the parade will receive a free ticket to the barbecue. Also at noon, the Boston Post Cane will be presented to the oldest resident.

Sunday begins with a special church service at 9 a.m., horseshoe sign-ups at 9:30 a.m., book signing by Stobie Piel from 10 a.m. to noon, children’s parade at 10 a.m., and an Old Home Sunday dinner at noon. Drumming, concerts and other activities follow. There will be a shuttle bus to activities both days, and portable toilets will be available.

The Abbot Historical Society Museum, at the Knights of Pythias Hall by the Civil War monument and honor roll, will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Check out the wonderful old pictures and genealogy.

The Mid-Coast Genealogy Group will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, at the LDS Church on Old County Road in Rockport. Jim and Barbara Pitman of Appleton will speak about the Richardson Family from Appleton Ridge. For information, contact Marlene A. Groves at 594-4293.

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