Local groups can aid in search for information about ancestors

When you hit a brick wall searching for your ancestors, it’s good to have someone experienced to ask what you might do next. You may well find that someone who knows what to try at meetings of local genealogical societies, many of which in this state are affiliated with the Maine Genealogical Society.

Both of the following groups have members who have been doing genealogy for many years and would be glad to share what they have learned.

On Open Research Night at Wednesday’s meeting of the Penobscot County Genealogical Society at Bangor Public Library, it will be the best of both worlds.

Attend the beginners’ session with Phil Getchell or get some one-on-one help using the genealogical resources of the Bangor Room to grow your family tree. Then enter the raffle to win one of three turkeys.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. Nov. 16 on the third floor of the library at 145 Harlow St. An elevator is available off the entrance to the children’s room.

The Washington County Genealogical Society will hold its last meeting of the season at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Peavey Library in Eastport.

Membership is open to anyone interested in learning more about their family genealogy and history, especially in Washington County and neighboring Charlotte County, New Brunswick. The group meets the third Saturday of the month, March to November, except for July and August. Dues are $10, including a subscription to the quarterly, “Weirs and Woods.”

For information, contact Frances Raye, president, 853-6630; Valdine Atwood, secretary, 255-4432; or Connie Fergurson, 726-9690.

The local history room at Ellsworth Public Library now has a “Recent Additions” area at the end of the last stack, according to the most recent issue of The Hancock Historian, published six times a year by the Hancock County Genealogical Society.

Charlene Clemons, on behalf of Ellsworth Public Library, writes “From the Library” in the newsletter. New materials available include Cindy Robertson’s book on Beechland Cemetery, and Mark Honey’s book on the Old Burying Ground on State Street.

Margaret Bronson donated the Trenton town records on CD, which prompted the library to use money donated by the Ellsworth Rotary Club to buy early town records for Hancock County towns on CD.

New titles include “British Army Officers Who Served in the American Revolution,” by Steven M. Baule; and “Abstracts of Death Notices 1833-1952 and Miscellaneous News Articles 1833-1924 from the Maine Farmer.”

Lt. Col. Michael Spekhardt sent along a poem he received by e-mail which is very appropriate for Veterans Day, observed last Friday. It reads in part:

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech …

Spekhardt, who ran the ROTC program at Bangor High School for several years, mentioned seeing in the news that military personnel guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery were given permission to suspend their assignment because a hurricane was coming. The service members declined the offer, saying that guarding the tomb was the highest honor they could have.

“The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930,” he wrote.

As genealogists and family historians, we have a unique opportunity to honor our ancestors who served, and our family members who continue to do so.

3343. McLAUGHLIN-HOYT. Is anyone working on the family of Alexander McLaughlin, born July 11, 1849, and wife Jessie Annabella Hoyt, who were married before 1880? Jessie, who was born about 1860 or later, may be in Hoyt family history. They had eight children, perhaps in Staple settlement in York, New Brunswick, or in Milville, Queensbury County, New Brunswick. They were: Alice Annabelle, born 1885, died 1968, Washington County; Laura, Inez, Grace, Fred, Oscar, Howard, born 1888, died 1959; and Ernest McLaughlin. Seeking parents for Alexander and Jessie. Leta Mathews, P.O. Box 232, Cherryfield, ME 04622.

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