George N. Colby was known for his books of 19th century cadastral maps – town maps which showed not only roads and houses, but the initials and surnames of the owners of each dwelling. Stores, businesses, schools, churches and mills were marked, as well.

Here’s a little background, then some exciting news about the Washington County Atlas.

URSUS, the database for University of Maine System libraries, Bangor Public Library and Maine State Library, has these listings for Colby atlases:

. “Atlas of Aroostook County, Maine,” 1877, available at Maine State Library, University of Maine Special Collections in Orono, and Special Collections at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.

. “Atlas of Washington County, Maine,” 1881, available at Bangor Public Library, Maine State Library and UM Special Collections in Orono.

. “Atlas of Washington County, Maine,” 1978, reprinted by the Cherryfield Narraguagus Historical Society, at Bangor Public Library and in Special Collections at the University of Maine at Fort Kent.

These large atlases also were printed for Androscoggin County, 1873; Cumberland County, 1871; Hancock County, 1881; Kennebec County, 1879; Oxford County, 1858; Penobscot County, 1875; Piscataquis County, 1882; Somerset County, 1883; and York County, 1873. Wall maps were produced for Lincoln, Oxford and Sagadahoc counties.

The 1881 edition of the atlas for Washington County sold out by 1884. It was wonderful to hear from Bonnie Healy that the Trescott Historical Society and Moon River Press have reprinted the 1881 “Atlas of Washington County” in 11-inch by 121/2-inch form.

The Washington County atlas, truly a treasure, was reproduced exactly from the 1881 edition, using digital imaging on acid-free archival paper. It includes towns, plantations, villages, timber lots, schools and churches, bodies of water, historical notes of each town and plantation, and a roster of commercial and individual sponsors who helped fund the 1881 printing.

The names on each of the 87 maps, no matter how small they appeared in the original, are reproduced here with state-of-the-art clarity. There are three maps of Calais, for example.

The reprint has been augmented with the 1790 census, listing heads of household by name for Washington County; and with valuation of estates, listed by town, for 1860-1892.

The new atlas may be purchased for $19.50 at many Washington County libraries and historical societies. Or, send a check for the same amount to Moon River Press, P.O. Box 1, Whiting, ME 04691. Allow one week for delivery.

For information, contact the Trescott Historical Society at 733-5548, e-mail trescott@maineline.net, or visit www.trescotthistory.org.

And do check out the society’s Web site. I was most interested in the archive of 2004 activities of this busy group, including:

. A presentation on property taxes by Robert Doiron.

. A walk to the burial site of Lemuel Trescott.

. A lecture by John and Sheila Look on the new Family History Library at the LDS Church in Machias.

. A walk to Commissary Point.

. A summer picnic at Quoddy Head.

. A July genealogy exchange and fair with Lubec, Cutler, East Machias, Whiting, Campobello and Grand Manan in Lubec.

. A lecture by Norm Laberge on “Water Power from Haycock Harbor to Straight Bay.”

. A lecture on the 1604 settlement of St. Croix Island.

Trescott was settled in 1780 and incorporated in 1827.

The Trescott Historical Society meets 5:30-8 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at Lubec Memorial Library in Lubec.

The society is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization. Dues are $10 individual, $15 couple or family. Send checks to the Trescott Historical Society, P.O. Box 1, Whiting, ME 04691.

Congratulations to the historical society and Moon River Press on their new publication of the atlas.

The African Collection of Maine will sponsor its annual exhibition, “Old Wine in New Skins: Bringing Out the African American Collection,” in the Glickman Family Library, University of Southern Maine. The exhibition preview will be held 4-5 p.m. on the sixth floor, and a reception 5-6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, at the library. RSVP by Jan. 26 to 780-4011 or TTY 780-5646.

3310. ROSS-BLAIR. Looking for parents of my great-great-grandmother, Annis W. Ross, b. May 26, 1823, who married Benjamin Carney Blair on Oct. 9, 1846 in Bath. They lived in Dresden and Bath. Annis Blair died Aug. 26, 1851. Her father may have been Rodney. Barbara May Beebe Gaspar, 67 Alaska St., Providence, R.I. 02904-1234.

3311. PRESCOTT-SHED. Seeking any information on the Prescott family of Vienna and Mount Vernon? Jedidiah Prescott, probably Jedidiah III, born April 12, 1787, died February 1855, married Olive Shedd, Oct. 23, 1816, in Vienna. Doug Shed, 9 Marshwood Road, Winthrop, ME 04364; samldr@netzero.net.

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