Members, visitors enjoy MOCA’s fall meeting in Dexter

Members and visitors at the Maine Old Cemetery Association fall meeting had a grand time in Dexter.

“The weather couldn’t have been better,” wrote Cheryl Patten, MOCA president. “Maurice and Corinne Neal were marvelous hosts and we had a fantastic meal as well as an interesting program. Rick Whitney, curator of the Dexter Historical Society and local history teacher, explained to us how he incorporates cemetery visits into his curriculum.”

MOCA does a good job trying to spread its meetings around, so here are some dates for next year for your genealogy calendar:

. May 22, 2004, Lovell, Oxford County, MOCA hosted by the Lovell Historical Society.

. July 24, 2004, Caribou, Aroostook County, MOCA hosted by Nylander Museum.

. Oct. 2, 2004, Weld, Franklin County, MOCA hosted by the Weld Historical Society.

Membership in the MOCA is $5 a year, or $100 lifetime, sent to MOCA Membership Chairman, P.O. Box 641, Augusta 043302-0641.

Cheryl also notes that MOCA is looking for a newsletter editor, which I’d say is not an unmanageable job because the newsletter is not long at all. Also needed is a membership secretary. Either of these offices would be a great way to be active with the organization. I got my start in writing doing a school newsletter.

For more information on MOCA, see their Web site at www.rootsweb.com/~memoca/membership.html

Cheryl mentioned Maurice and Corinne Neal in her note. They are an example of something we see so often in Maine – a family who has owned a funeral home through more than one generation. I went to school in Guilford with the Neals’ children. Peter, who was in my class in school, is now an owner of Crosby-Neal Funeral Home.

I didn’t realize until my father died that families can order several certified copies of the death certificate. As we know, such documents are useful not only for things like insurance, but for our genealogical records. Peter had ours ready the day of my father’s burial service, which was most helpful.

A couple of things about the Dexter Historical Society:

Do plan on visiting the society’s Grist Mill Museum in downtown Dexter next summer. I was so impressed with the museum that my family gave it a HART-ROBERTS family Bible and a pair of baby shoes worn by my great-grandfather, Stanley W. Roberts, in 1880.

The society has a very nice Web site, which you will find at www.dexterhistoricalsociety.com. The group meets monthly, and can be contacted during winter months by leaving a message at 924-5721.

Officers for the society are: Peter Prescott, president; Christopher Holt, vice president; Patti Grillo, secretary; Dave Pearson, treasurer; Rick Whitney, director.

I hope you’re reading the new weekly history column in Monday’s Style section by Wayne E. Reilly. I’ve known Wayne for many of the years he has written and edited for the Bangor Daily News. He has a tremendous interest in Maine history and a real attention to detail – I know every one of his columns will be a keeper.

Are you or a family member of Italian descent? The Italian Heritage Club is looking for new members. Join the group for its monthly meeting at 7 tonight at the Parks and Recreation building on Main Street. For more info call 394-4903, or e-mail ihcofmaine@hotmail.com.

On Sunday, Oct. 26, the Penobscot Valley Genealogical Society of Bangor and Wassebec Genealogical Society of Dover-Foxcroft will have an information booth 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Bangor Mall.

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