Bangor library offers family history primer

Just getting started on your family history? Wishing you had a brief primer to help make sure you’re touching all the bases?

Take a look at “Tracing Your Family History,” available on Bangor Public Library’s special collections page. Go to www.bpl.lib.me.us/spcoll/Tracing.htm

It’s just three pages, and you can print it out if you like. The source even lists some “how-to” books you’ll find in the Bangor Room.

The library, located at 145 Harlow St. in Bangor, is open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Sundays and holidays.

The Bangor Room is set up simply, family histories on one side, town histories on the other. Local history librarians Bill Cook and Elizabeth Stevens can help you find lots of things you might not even know the library has.

Of course, you may have an idea of some of the books you’re interested in before you go. You can look up their call numbers ahead of time by logging onto URSUS – the card catalog of BPL, Maine State Library and the University of Maine campus libraries – at http:130.111.64.3/

Pick a town, pick a county – you might be surprised what’s available. The library also has many resources on other New England states, particularly Massachusetts.

Four editions since 1995? I believe that’s what we call a best-seller.

It’s certainly good news to hear that “Levant, Maine: A History,” by Lynn Rogers and Patricia Pickard, is still in print.

Sales of the 485-page book help the Levant Heritage Library, where you may pick up a copy for $40. It includes biographies, local family history, maps and local records from the earliest settlers, military records and listings, photographs and anecdotes.

You also may obtain the book by writing Lynn Rogers at 332 Line Rd., Levant, ME 04456. If you need your copy mailed, add $9 per book.

“The Levant Historical Society recently disbanded,” Rogers said, “but assured the care of its collections by giving them to the library. Library members are in the process of inventorying, organizing, cataloging and safeguarding the collections so that people can access a wealth of local information. Funds from the sale of the books will go to preserve the collection and add to a building fund to give us more space for the collection.”

Jeff Brown really hasn’t been at the Maine State Archives forever, but he’s been there a long time – and if he comes to your neck of the woods to speak, you really should go hear him.

Jeff will talk about resources at the Maine State Archives at the next meeting of the Penobscot County Genealogical Society at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, in the Lecture Hall on the third floor of Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St.

Park across the street in the parking lot, go in the children’s room entrance on the ground level and take the elevator to the third floor. Turn right, walk through the Bangor Room and you’ll see the Lecture Hall straight ahead.

A meeting of the Washington County Genealogical Society will be held at 1 p.m. (American time) Saturday, Nov. 18, at the St. Croix Public Library, St. Stephen, New Brunswick.

Organized in 1992, the society has as its purpose to collect, exchange and preserve related documents and information, and to promote and encourage interest and scholarship in genealogy and family history in Washington County, Maine.

Membership in WCGS 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 a year, including the quarterly newsletter Weirs and Woods.

For further information, contact President Frances Raye at 853-6630, or Secretary Valdine Atwood at 255-4432.

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