Genealogy conference promises rich content

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Come on out to the Sept. 11 meeting of the Maine Genealogical Society, “Coming Home: Using Local Records and Resources,” set for Hermon High School. Activities begin at 9 a.m. with a one-of-a-kind speaker, Ann Smith Lainhart of Boston, speaking on “New England Town Records.”

At 10:30 a.m. attorney Lynn Williams will talk about “Current Trends in Privacy Laws and Freedom of Information.” Lunch is from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. At 1 p.m., participants may choose from four sessions:

. Ann Smith Lainhart, “Researcher’s Guide to Boston.”

. Phil Getchell, “A Genealogy Primer.”

. V. Ann Files, “Property Deed Research.”

. John O’Dea, “Irish Research and Resources.”

At 2:15 p.m., four more sessions will be offered:

. Ann Smith Lainhart, “State Census Records.”

. Jack Battick, “Using Town Maps in Genealogical Research.”

. “Digging Around Your Local Historical Society.”

. Diane LeBlanc, “Researching at the National Archives.”

The conference will close at 3:45 p.m. with a talk by Bangor Daily News columnist Wayne E. Reilly on “Pulling It All Together,” what to do with the piles of information we accumulate.

The conference fee at the door is $30. The Penobscot County Genealogical Society is the host.

The Hampden Historical Society – a very busy group – will sponsor a Heritage Day 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Kinsley House, 83 Main Road South, the society’s headquarters in Hampden. Activities are free.

Heritage Day is a biannual event designed to showcase and demonstrate the arts and crafts of a bygone era – with something for everyone. This year’s event will feature canoe building, baskets and jewelry, candle dipping, apple-cider pressing, quilting, weaving, spinning, tatting, knitting, rug braiding and hooking, chair caning, custom fly-rod making, clogging, a cookie lady and the Girls’ Drum Group from Indian Island.

Activities will include a demonstration of the Kinsley House antique tool collection and tours of the Hannibal Hamlin law office and the Hampden Historical Society archives and museum. For information, contact Gerry at 862-2027.

The Maine State Organization, Daughters of the American Revolution, will hold its fall conference Sept. 10-11 in Waterville, with President General Presley Waggoner as honored guest.

State Regent Donna Dunbar Hoffmann will preside at the meeting, where state officers and the chairman will outline their work for the coming year.

Phil Getchell will teach a 10-week Introduction to Genealogy course through Bangor Adult Education at Bangor High School beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16. The first few sessions are at the high school, the rest at Bangor Public Library.

Preregistration is required. Register by going to the Adult Education office at Bangor High School, 885 Broadway. For information only, call 941-6310.

The Wassebec Genealogical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, in the conference room at Mayo Regional Hospital on Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft.

Ron Fortier of Ellsworth will speak on his extensive Piscataquis County genealogical data collection, including the records of the late Charlotte Nicely of Atkinson. For directions or further information, contact Nancy Battick at 564-3576 or e-mail wassebec@yahoo.com.

The Trescott Historical Society will feature a presentation by John and Sheila Look, “The Family History Library in Machias,” at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the Lubec Memorial Library. The Looks co-direct the Family History Library, which is a repository of microfilm from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Library in Salt Lake City. For information on the meeting, call 733-1095.

The Harriman Family Reunion will be held Saturday, Sept. 18, at Spaulding Youth Center in Tilton, N.H. Plans for the day include an interactive program from the Museum of New Hampshire History in Concord titled “New Hampshire Goes to War.” Participants will examine artifacts, diary entries and soldiers’ letters home from several eras.

Bring a bag lunch or visit one of the many lunch spots in the area, as well as the Tanger Outlet mall. For a full agenda and more information, contact Sharon Cholette at (603) 527-2062 or e-mail sharonc@metrocast.net.

The McLaughlin-Lyons-Caswell Family Reunion will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Medway DAV Hall. Bring salad, casserole or dessert. Place settings and rolls will be provided. Remember the scotch auction and raffle. For information, call 746-9321.

The Moses Worcester Reunion will be held at 9:30 a.m., with potluck luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Columbia Town Hall. Bring something to go with baked beans and chop suey, and an item for the silent auction. Nancy Willey of Cherryfield will speak on the Epping Base Line. Contact Ronie, 483-4374.

3289. SPEED-MILLS. Seeking parents, ancestry for Capt. David Speed, b. 1789, perhaps in Greenland, N.H., and his wife, Sarah Mills, b. 1790, Nobleboro, daughter of William Mills and (?). Capt. David Speed d. Dec. 2, 1850, town of Washington. Danny W. Howard, DECF 64 Base Road, Machiasport 04655.

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