Fifty-eight years after Bangor Public Library compiled its Book of Honor to remember Bangor residents who died in World War II, local history librarian Bill Cook still is adding pages.

Over the past two years, ceremonies have been held to add photographs and brief biographies for Staff Sgt. Dennis T. Cullinan Jr. and Aubrey Withee, a merchant marine.

Today, it’s Pfc. Bernard Striar’s turn. The public ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. in the main lobby of the library on Harlow Street.

Striar was killed in Italy while serving with Company I, 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Division of the U.S. Army.

Cook said last week it has been confirmed that Striar will receive a Purple Heart and Bronze Star posthumously.

The public is welcome to attend the Book of Honor ceremony. The book is very interesting, and its pages give us a glimpse into the sacrifice one small city made during the war.

Also, do check out the war memorials at Mount Hope Cemetery and at Cole Land Transportation Museum on Perry Road. Keep in mind that the Korean War Memorial at Mount Hope has a granite walkway honoring veterans of several wars. On Veterans Day, I remember especially MoMM 2/C Gayland Moore Jr. and Pvt. Willard Saucier, and all the veterans I’ve interviewed over the years.

The Washington County Genealogical Society will hold its last meeting of the season at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at the home of Valdine Atwood, corner of Free and Main streets in Machias. It’s across the way from the Burnham Tavern, the big yellow historical building in the middle of town. You can’t miss it.

Plans will be made for the 2004 season, and participants will share their current genealogy problems and successes.

The society is open to anyone interested in family history and genealogy, especially in Washington County and the neighboring Charlotte County, New Brunswick.

The group meets the third Saturday of the month, March through November, except for July and August. Dues are $10 a year, including a subscription to Woods and Weirs. For information, contact President Frances Raye at 853-6630, Secretary Valdine Atwood at 255-4432, or Gwen Lujan at 853-0717. You also can mail your dues to WCGS, c/o Valdine Atwood, 2 Free St., Machias, ME 04654.

Now here’s a name you’ve got to love: Lorenzo Lancelot Hanscom. A Hanscom family reunion was held this fall at the home of Kenneth and Caroline Hanscom of Moscow for the descendants of Lorenzo and wife Josephine Nutter Stone Hanscom of Patten and Pittston.

Traveling the farthest were Carl and Loretta Hanscom of Londonderry, N.H. Loretta was the oldest attendee, while the youngest was her grand-nephew Kevin Crossman.

Due to Veterans Day, the Aroostook County Genealogical Society will not meet in November. Allen Voisine tells us there will be a meeting in December, so stay tuned.

I had a most delightful time with the Orono Historical Society last week. Some of the material for my talk was in the Nov. 3 Family Ties, and more will be shared in future columns as time permits. Orono, founded in 1806, is preparing to mark its bicentennial. One correction I need to make in the Nov. 3 column. I wrote that Dracut, the supposed birthplace of Jeremiah Colburn, was near Plymouth, Mass. In fact, it’s next to Lowell in northeastern Massachusetts. My apologies, and thanks to those who e-mailed me about the error.

3240. COWING-PERKINS. Looking for date of death for Joseph Cowing, husband of Mary A. (Perkins) Cowing. Both are buried in Riverside Cemetery, Orono. He probably died between 1880 and 1888. Joseph appears in the 1880 Census for Orono, but is not mentioned in his wife’s purchase of real property there in 1888. Town office has no record of his death or interment. Leigh Cowing, 2476 Deer Trail Lane, Spring Hill, FL 34606; or e-mail lecowing@atlantic.net.

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