Nova Scotian looking for relatives of Bangor Hotel owner

A Nova Scotia woman is hoping to contact some distant relatives who may live in Bangor. M. Yvonne (Chiasson) Olson writes that Victor Chiasson, son of Laurent Chiasson and Flavie (Boudreau) was born in the mid-1800s at Belle Cote, Inverness County, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, on the famous Cabot Trail area.

He was married to Flora Daigle and as a young man traveled to Maine. He owned the Bangor Hotel and died in Bangor.

“Victor had a sister, Flavie Chiasson, who married Marcellin Chiasson and they resided most of their lives in Belle Cote. They had a large family, but only four reached adulthood. One of these was a son named Daniel, my father – Victor’s nephew,” Olson wrote.

“I often recall my grandmother speaking with pride of her brother Vic who owned the Bangor Hotel. Since her family was not wealthy, traveling to Maine was not a priority for Grandma.

“As you are aware, this year is the celebration of the Acadian Congress in Nova Scotia. Acadians from all over the world, and certainly from the New England states, are congregating here for reunions, cultural events, etc. during the period July 31-Aug. 15.

“I would appreciate hearing from anyone who may have some information about this grand-uncle of mine, Victor Chiasson.” Write M. Yvonne Olson at 4 Kitchin Ave., P.O. Box 353, Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia B0N 2H0.

In Deborah Thompson’s “Bangor, Maine 1769-1914: An Architectural History,” we find that a Victor Chaison was one of those involved in rebuilding after the Bangor Fire of 1911.

He “built Chaison’s Hotel beside the Palace Theatre, at 91 Exchange St., in 1912. A narrow block like many in that vicinity, it had a 20-foot frontage, was 82 feet deep, and had 26 rooms, an elevator and a ground-floor restaurant.”

Now, this sounds like a big project. Higginson Book Co. has issued “Belmont, Maine: The First Hundred Years,” 634 pages plus 78 pages of index, by Isabel Morse Maresh. The volume covers the years 1814 to 1914.

The history is presented through narratives, letters, lists, maps, vital statistics, cemetery inscriptions, treasurers’ records and lists of Civil War recruits. Also included are brief details of the families Gray and Lyon and their descendants in Maine.

Send $69.50 per book plus $6.50 shipping to Higginson Book Co., P.O. 778, Salem, MA 01970. Or you can call (948) 745-7170, or e-mail them at higginsn@cove.com.

The Belfast Public Library has the book, as does the Maine State Library in Augusta.

The Gray Reunion Committee has announced the upcoming publication of the newly researched book, “The Descendants of Joshua Gray.” Suzanne Gray Black tells us that there are more than 2,000 new families in the book, which Michelle Thomas and the reunion committee have been working on for a lengthy period.

To help defray costs, prepaid orders will accepted at the price of $59, including shipping, until March 31, 2005. After March 31, and at the 2005 summer reunion, the price will be $65.

To order your prepaid copy by mail, send $59 to Gray Reunion Treasurer, c/o Susan Varnum, 1009 Cape Rosier Road, Brooksville 04617.

Include your name, address, telephone and e-mail. Indicate whether you want the book mailed or you will pick it up at the 2005 Gray Reunion.

Additional update information will be available at www.graygenealogy.com.

The Patten Historical Society is open 1-4 p.m. Thursdays during August. On Friday, Aug. 13, there will be a yard sale, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The society will open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, for Patten Pioneer Days.

The descendants of Lyford and Eunice (Parsons) Dow will hold the 91st Dow Reunion at noon Saturday, Aug. 21, at the home of Sheila and Ralph Dow III at 494 Downs Road, Sebec. There will be a baked-bean dinner. Bring salad, dessert and recipes for the reunion cookbook.

The descendants of William and Lydia (Bailey) Crandlemire will hold a reunion at 1 p.m. Atlantic daylight time Saturday, Aug. 14, at the Community Center, Mount Pleasant, New Brunswick. Bring casserole or other potluck dish. For info or directions, call Ruth Lozier, (506) 279-2371 or Barbara Crandlemire, (506) 375-8718.

3282. EDWARDS. Seeking information on the Edwards family that lived in the Belfast area in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Have been unable to find the parents of these children: 1) David Edwards who may have died unmarried, at sea. 2) John Edwards who md. Sabrina and had Harriet, b. Jan. 4, 1824; Lizzie or Elizabeth, John and George. 3) Eben or Ebenezer who md. Julia Ann and had Mary Emma, b. March 26, 1842; Julia Ella, b. March 2, 1845; Albert and one other son. 4) Samuel who md. Ruth and had Charles, Frederick Hodson, b. July 9, 1841; and Abbie Elizabeth, b. Nov. 28, 1845. 5) Johnathan who died of the fever at a young age. 6) Betsey, b. Jan. 16, 1789, and md. Johnathan Perkins Longfellow on Oct. 22, 1817, had 12 children; 7) Mina who may have md. a Mr. Towle and had 10 or 12 children. 8) Martha who died when her father did, but I don’t know when that was. And lastly, my own fourth great-grandmother, 9) Esther Edwards, b. March 2, 1803, md. William H. Goddard about April 1, 1828, Belfast. I do have the names of children of Betsey and Johnathan Longfellow. Janet E. Heck, 17826 Jefferson Ridge Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70817; or send e-mail to jeheck@cox.net.

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