Hampden firefighting data sought

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A member of Hampden Fire and Rescue for nearly 20 years, Lt. Frank Coombs is “looking hard” for pictures, information and records relating to the fire department, its people and equipment, particularly from the 1920s through the 1940s.

Actually, he’s interested in materials from more recent years, as well, but especially those mentioned. Maybe you have a picture taken during a parade over the years.

“It may be a picture of Uncle Jimmy, but Uncle Jimmy is sitting on a firetruck,” for example, Coombs explained.

He’s also looking for materials related to the Paradise Pavilion fire.

If you have any such items that would help the department in compiling its history, Coombs would be delighted to have a copy. Items may be sent to Lt. Frank Coombs, Hampden Fire and Rescue, 106 Western Ave., Hampden, Maine 04444.

Or if you have an original item that he could borrow briefly to copy, give him a call at the department at 862-4586, and he’ll get back to you. We’ll keep you posted on the progress of the project.

Yes, there’s a genealogical connection here – Frank’s daughter married my son last August.

Charlene Fox Clemons, assistant director of the Ellsworth Public Library, wrote to share the good news that the library now holds a complete run of the Ellsworth American on microfilm – 1851-2001, with 2002 “on the way.”

The project was completed through the efforts of the Ellsworth American and the Ellsworth Public Library.

The major portion of the funding came from a New Century Grant awarded to the library by the Maine Library Commission and the New Century Community Program. Future years of the newspaper will be added on a yearly basis.

You may be aware that the New Century Program has helped many libraries in preserving historical material.

The Ellsworth library is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at 20 State St.

It is a lovely facility, with special collections including:

. The Alvin S. Whitmore Collection of local history and genealogy materials, including computer resources.

. Hancock County Census, 1790-1920.

. U.S. Direct Tax Census for Maine 1798.

. Maine Old Cemetery Association records.

. The Herbert T. Silsby II Collection, on indefinite loan to the library, framed maps and prints of early Maine and Hancock County.

. Various CD-ROM genealogy resources and many local unpublished genealogies.

The library has a Web site at www.ellsworth.lib.me.us.

You’re sure you could write your own life story or that of your family – if only you had some help getting started.

Denis Ledoux will offer his “Turning Memories into Memoirs” workshop June 22-27 at the Grand Beach Inn in Old Orchard Beach.

I met the Lisbon Falls writer and educator nearly three years ago when I interviewed him about his workshops, his book by the same name, and another book about his Ledoux ancestors from Narcisse de Lotbiniere in Quebec, “What Became of Them, and Other Stories from Franco-America.”

He has given workshops all over the country, sometimes teaching the classes weekly rather than over the course of one week.

No prior writing experience is necessary. At the end of the workshop, Ledoux explained, “participants will leave with three to five stories at various stages of polish, as well as an editing process that will serve them long after the program is completed.”

For information or registration, contact Soleil Lifestory Network, (888) 80-STORY, or check the Web site at www.turningmemories.com. In addition to paying a tuition fee, participants make their own arrangements at Grand Beach Inn.

Ledoux recently assisted Jack Hargreaves of Madison in making his manuscript into a book, “Panning Gold, A Maine Memoir.” The book is already in its second printing.

3226. NIRTADION-NATADION. Unable to find this name. If it’s in your family tree, please contact me. Esther Hardwick, P.O. Box 224, Limestone, Maine 04750.

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