We know, of course, that the holdings of Bangor Public Library are amazing. Genealogists are especially fortunate to find among the half-million books the fruits of many years of wise purchasing and generous gifts.

Moreover, the facility has a manuscript collection that gives us something new to discover again and again.

You will find a 23-page listing of manuscripts on the Special Collections section of the Bangor Public Library Web site, www.bpl.lib.me.us/spcoll. Here are just a few of the entries:

. Autograph book of Mary Barton Arnold.

. History of the churches in Bangor.

. 1823-88 parish records.

. Central Congregational Church, Bangor, Maine, 1847-1912, records.

. First Congregational Church and ministers on the Penobscot River.

. A.W. Carols agreement between a former slave holder and a former slave.

. Licenses and sheep marks – Dover.

. Home for Aged Women Necrology. V1 and V2.

. War Records of Members. GAR 1861-65.

. Penobscot County Medical Association, 1854-1935.

. Shipping Ledgers of Abiathar Rogers.

. Labor account of Theophilus Nickerson’s shipyard.

. Lord and Curtis family genealogy.

. Appleby family in Maine (Sinnett). It’s good to mention here that genealogists familiar with Charles Sinnett’s work recommend using his data “with care.” I wouldn’t say not to use his materials, but recommend using them as a guide. Compiled materials which are not heavily “sourced” – that is, without lots of notes saying where the information came from, should be corroborated by checking other records.

. Adams family of York and Bowdoinham.

. Genealogy of Rachel Bradbury Sewall.

. Family register: Hewin and Briggs.

. A genealogy of the Russell and Dascomb families.

. Bangor War Album Roll of Bangor in the European War, 1914-1918.

. Park Holland’s field book.

. Park Holland’s journal. (A Revolutionary War veteran, Holland is buried at the top of the big hill in Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor.)

In many cases, you won’t find manuscripts on the shelves of a library. They may not be bound, or otherwise in a form that makes them sturdy enough to stand on a shelf.

Ask to seem them by checking with library staff, such as local history-special collections librarian Bill Cook or his assistant, Shawn Weisser, in the Bangor Room on the third floor.

Many items, whether manuscript or book, will be marked “do not photocopy” because they are too fragile. Even if something is not marked, be sure you ask staff whether it can be photocopied.

Another listing on the Web site is newspapers at the Bangor Public Library – from three September 1853 issues of the Fountain and Journal, published in Gardiner, to the Bangor Daily News on microfilm from 1900 to the present. That run of the NEWS is actually more than what we have on microfilm here at our offices.

Bangor Public Library also has the Bucksport Clipper, 1885-1888 v. 1; 11 issues of the Narraguagus Times, between 1897 and 1902; the Jan. 1, 1785 Falmouth Gazette; the July 2, 1863, Vicksburg Daily Citizen, from Mississippi, and many more.

What’s available at this library? More than we can imagine. Frequently when I see Bill Cook, he asks, “Have you checked the Web site lately? It’s been updated.”

I learned from the Web site that the library has records from the Tarratine Club in Bangor, 1894-1916. You may know that Hannibal Hamlin, Lincoln’s first vice president, died there in 1891.

Speaking of Hamlin, the site has pictures of a bust of him, and of a wonderful painting of him with Lincoln. There’s also a great photograph of the Hannibal Hamlin statue, now located in the little park between State and Central streets downtown. Sculpture Charles Tefft is in the photograph, as well.

The library’s research collections include African Americans in Maine, as well as Faces of Bangor – The Jewish Community.

Computer users, obviously, should bookmark the site so they can keep up with what the library has to offer.

But even if you don’t surf “the information superhighway,” do go to libraries and see what’s there. And, ask for help. There are databases on computer, and then there’s the individual database inside each staffer’s head.

Also, when you visit the Bangor Room, you’ll find a table with several handouts on local history and genealogy resources.

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