Michelle Thomas, who compiled “Vital Records of Bangor, Maine,” Vol. I and Vol. II, is now working on the update of “The Gray Family of Hancock County, Maine.”

The original book, by Almon A. Gray and published in 1976, is available at Bangor Public Library, University of Maine Fogler Library in Orono and Maine State Library in Augusta.

The second edition, done in 1987, can be found at Bangor Public and Maine State libraries.

The next edition will be titled “The Descendants of Joshua Gray” because there are descendants of this family all over the country. It will cover 12 generations of the family, and is expected to be out in July 2005. Although the publication date is a ways off, those of you with Gray connections will want to know progress of the project.

Thomas wanted to let readers know that information on the project is available at www.graygenealogy.com, and in fact you can sign up there to let the publishing committee know that you’re interested once a definite price has been established for the book.

The section on descendants of Andrew Gray is complete. Sections on John Gray and Reuben Gray are complete and updated. Still in progress are descendants of James Gray, Samuel Gray and Joshua Gray Jr. There also will be addenda on unclassified families.

You may still submit info for the sections that are done. Contact Michelle Thomas at Michelle@GrayGenealogy.com.

The Web site also has a sample page for you to see. Darryl Rowles designed the Web site.

After I had written about Jeremiah Colburn, early settler of Orono, Eugene Jackins of Houlton sent along a note confirming the Colburn connection to 1700s Pownalborough, which is now Wiscasset and Dresden.

The Maj. Reuben Colburn House in Pittston, he reminds us, served as the headquarters of the Arnold Expedition Historical Society.

The building was “the location of his building all those bateaux used on the trek. My ancestors, the Jacquins, came with others to Dresden in 1752, because of efforts of the Plymouth Proprietors to settle that area of the Kennebec,” Jackins wrote.

While we’re still on Colburns, I’ll mention a couple of the vital records I found on microfilm at Fogler Library at the University of Maine, one of the facilities where the Maine State Archives is depositing copies of vital records.

Vera Colburn was born Dec. 29, 1892, in Orono to E.J. and Gertie (Wentworth) Colburn.

H.A. Colburn died in Orono, Feb. 8, 1892, age 82 years, 1 month, 26 days. His place of birth was listed as Stillwater, but his parents were not listed.

3241. QUINN. John G. Quinn d. July 3, 1892, age 73, in Ellsworth. His place of birth was given as Norridgewock, and his father listed as Joseph Quinn. Need any info on this Joseph Quinn, parentage, dates, wife’s name, list of children, occupation, etc. Search of Norridgewock records was unsuccessful. Thanks for any help or time given. Holly Shea, 18 Sunset Park Road, Ellsworth, ME 04605; or e-mail kshea@midmaine.com.

3242. ROBINSON-SIMONTON. Have traced my Robinsons back to John Robinson, b. May 10, 1759, Cape Elizabeth; d. Feb. 14, 1826, South Limington. He was son of Jedediah Robinson, b. about 1732, and Elizabeth (Simonton) Robinson, b. about 1734. They married Nov. 22, 1754, may have been from York. Don’t know if town or county. Looking for info on Jedediah and Elizabeth, their children and ancestors. Sara-Lee (Welch) Beller, 2323 East Lake Oaks Drive, Bartlett, TN 38134; bbeller@midsouth.rr.com.

3243. HOPKINS. Trying to compile record of early Hopkins families. Interested in any Hopkins family that may have come to Maine between 1750 and 1820. Ronald Hopkins c/o Carol Pearl, 254 Loud Road, Plymouth, ME 04969.

3244. PACKARD-JACKINS. When and where did Polly Jackins Packard, wife of Shepherd Packard, die? In Foxcroft area? Eugene Jackins, 6 Franklin Ave., Houlton, ME 04730.

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