Those of us who soak up our ancestors like a sponge can sometimes overload our family with genealogical information – I’ve certainly done it.

So I tried to find a simple answer when my dad used to ask, “Just how are we related to Harold Walden?”

Harold was one of the great historical resources of Greenville, and not just because he was a descendant of first settler Nathaniel Haskell, for whom the town was originally named Haskell Plantation. Harold lived all his 91 years in Greenville, beginning in 1888.

What my family knew was that we were related to Harold through “Ga,” my great-great-grandmother Mary Alice (Cummings) Bennett Lord of Greenville and Guilford.

Harold and his first wife, Bessie (Cummings) Walden, each had a line back to John Comins of Woburn, Mass. Mary and her first husband, Prosper Alvarus Bennett, each had a line back to John Comins.

Ga was a cousin to both Harold and Bessie, and her husband was a cousin to both Harold and Bessie. So Harold’s descendants by Bessie and Ga’s descendants – including me and my children – are cousins a total of four times.

Harold and Bessie actually were second cousins to each other.

Mary and husband Prosper Alvarus were second cousins once removed.

In one of the four cousin connections between our families, Harold was the grandson of Marcy Cummings Walden, whose parents were William Cummings and Deborah Harris of Greene.

My dad, Gayland Moore Jr., was the great-great-grandson of Silas Harris Cummings of Greenville, Marcy’s brother.

Harold was a second cousin to my dad’s grandmother Rena (Bennett) Bennett, so Harold and my dad were second cousins, twice removed.

Harold’s grandson, the Rev. Ron Walden, would be my dad’s fourth cousin, while Ron’s kids are my fifth cousins – and that’s just one of the four paths that connect us.

There’s also the fact that Harold Walden was a Haskell descendant, and I’m at least three times a Haskell descendant.

I met Harold just once, when he was in his late 80s, and what a treat it was to talk with him about our forebears.

So I treasure an interview he did years ago with my friend Linda Hubbard McBrierty.

The interview wound up as a chapter in Bill Sawtell’s “Glimpses of Greenville.”

I’m glad to know that the book is still in print, and available from Bill. Here’s the list of Sawtell’s books, which certainly would make some unique Christmas gifts:

. “Glimpses of Greenville,” $11.95.

. “Onawa Revisited,” $16.95.

. “Katahdin Iron Works and Gulf Hagas,” $12.95.

. “Katahdin Iron Works in Pictures,” $5.95.

. “The Ron Marks Story,” $4.95.

. “Ralph Berg: Self Made Man,” $2.95.

. “The Wall,” $7.95.

Add 5 percent sales tax in Maine for each book, and include $2 mailing for each book. Send checks to Bill Sawtell, P.O. Box 272, Brownville, ME 04414.

Also, “Old Sebec, Vol. II” is due to be published in January. The cost will be less than $15. We will include further information in Family Ties as soon as it’s available.

For more information, call Bill at 965-3971.

I’ll let program director John Van Dyke tell you about the next meeting of the Penobscot County Genealogical Society, set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, in the Lecture Hall at Bangor Public Library on Harlow Street.

“We will be having an open research night, which is a great opportunity for us to assist other members and newcomers with any problems they may be having, as well as seek assistance for our own research,” he wrote. “This meeting is a great time to bounce around new ideas or share any sources we may have recently unearthed. There will be refreshments to help celebrate the holiday season. We look forward to seeing you there. Newcomers to genealogy are always welcome.”

The meeting is open to all, and you’re sure to find great suggestions for using the wonderful sources for Maine and New England research in the Bangor Room.

John will be at the sales table with several items you might purchase for holiday gifts, including cookbooks, 15-generation charts, coffee mugs and mouse pads for your computer.

You also may take the opportunity to start or renew your PCGS membership for $10, $15 family membership. (If you can’t attend the meeting, send your check to PCGS, Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St., Bangor, ME 04401.)

The Lecture Hall is on the third floor. Use the Children’s Department entrance on the right side of the library and take the elevator. Turn right and walk through the Bangor Room to the Lecture Hall.

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