Recently we mentioned in passing the Web site for Ellis Island in New York, 1892-1924, at www.ellisislandrecords.org.

On a much smaller level, we have a bit of an “Ellis Island of the North” type of resource at the University of Maine in the form of microfilm of immigrants’ arrivals for certain years at Calais, Jackman, Fort Fairfield, Van Buren and Vanceboro.

You’ll find these records most easily if you happen to be at Fogler Library in Orono using census records – first floor, Government Documents and Microforms. Take a left into that narrow aisle with long drawers along the wall.

These microfilm reels were made available by the National Archives just a couple of years ago, so we’re very fortunate to have them here.

The title is “Manifest Records of Alien Arrivals (Maine),” and the call number is M314. The collection covers:

. Alphabetical manifest cards of alien arrivals at Calais, Maine, ca. 1906-1952. Reels M2042, Nos. 1-5.

. Alphabetical manifest cards of alien arrivals at Jackman, Maine, ca. 1909-1953. Reels M2046, Nos. 1-3.

. Alphabetical manifest cards of alien arrivals at Fort Fairfield, Maine, ca. 1909-April 1953. Reel M2064.

. Alphabetical manifest cards of alien arrivals at Van Buren, Maine, ca. 1906-1952. Reel M2065.

. Alphabetical manifest cards of alien arrivals at Vanceboro, Maine, ca. 1906-Dec. 24, 1952. Reels M2072, Nos. 1-13.

The information on these cards can be fascinating.

For instance, one Mary Gallant, 47, who came into the country at Vanceboro on Oct. 13, 1916, was born in St. Alexis, Province of Quebec. She was listed as French, a resident of Mattapedia.

Her “destination,” a very important piece of information, was Ipswich, Mass., residence of her husband, Laurent J. Gallant – so we know he came to this country first. Mary brought with her $180. She was 4 feet 11 inches tall, with fair complexion, brown hair and brown eyes.

These cards are especially helpful when more than one person of the same name came in through the same port of entry.

Another of the Mary Gallant entries was for a woman, 19, who was a domestic worker born in Egmont Bay, Prince Edward Island. She was French, and her father was named James. Her destination was the home of her sister, Mrs. Grover Lord, in South Berwick. Mary had $8.20 with her. She was 5 feet 2 inches tall, with medium complexion, brown hair, blue eyes.

Is every person who came into the country at these ports, during these years, listed? Of course not. Nor do the Ellis Island records have 100 percent coverage, but they offer a lot.

I had hoped to find my great- grandparents, Harry and Thressa Steeves, coming through Calais in 1911, the year they came to Maine from Saint John, New Brunswick. I didn’t find cards for them, but I think I’ll check Vanceboro, too.

This resource is great. Every once in awhile, one of the cards even has a little picture on it. Don’t you want to check for your relatives?

Getting back to U.S. Census records, we know that Fogler Library and Maine State Library have the Maine censuses 1790-1930, though enumerators did not start listing every person in the household until 1850. And we’ve said before that Fogler also has some census records for other states, particularly the early ones.

In addition, I just noticed the other day at Fogler 1920 census microfilm reels for Suffolk County, Mass., in Government Documents and Microforms. Suffolk, of course, includes Boston.

The next few weeks, during Christmas break, will be a quiet time to visit Fogler Library. It’s always a good idea to call 581-1664 for the recording that gives the hours the library is open.

This is the week I’ll be speaking about the 1930 Census, and a bit on other censuses, at the Penobscot County Genealogical Society. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, in the Lecture Hall on the third floor at Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St. An elevator is available inside the children’s room entrance to the library. Come early or stay late, and check out the genealogy resources in the Bangor Room.

This is a good time to send along queries – hope to receive yours in the new year.

The next meeting of the Penobscot County Genealogical Society will be 6 p.m. Jan. 18 in the Lecture Hall at Bangor Public Library. Richard Newcomb of Hampden will speak on Hannibal Hamlin, first vice president under Abraham Lincoln. Countless Mainers are related to Hamlin.

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