It’s free and it’s in Ellsworth, so take advantage of the Hancock County Genealogical Society’s annual fair, set for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, July 16, in the Family History Center at the LDS Church on Beechland Road.

Several workshops are scheduled, according to society President Patti Leland. They are:

. 10:15 a.m. “Deeds and Probate” with Mark Honey.

. 11 a.m. “Cemeteries” with Cheryl Patten.

. 11:45 a.m. “How to Talk with a Librarian,” with Charlene Clemons, Ellsworth Public Library.

. 12:30 p.m. A choice of workshops – “Beginning Genealogy” with Richard Spinney, or “Genealogy for Kids” with Alice Long.

. 1:15 p.m. “Census Records” with Richard Spinney.

In addition, panel discussions on “Brick Walls” will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Several historical societies, the Daughters of the American Revolution, Maplewood Cemetery Restoration of Orland and the Maine Memory Network will have displays in the gym. Check out the 1860 map of Hancock County.

And, you can visit with Jacqueline Fitzpatrick about “Creative Memories” scrapbooking, and Patsy Jordan, who brings a “genealogy-filled camper.”

In addition, the LDS Family History Center will be open throughout the fair.

For information about the Hancock County Genealogical Society, contact Patti Leland at 276-5305 or pattileland@downeast.net.

The group meets monthly at the Ellsworth Public Library. For an annual membership, including the bimonthly newsletter, send $10 to HCGS, c/o Terri Weed Cormier, 23 Central St., Ellsworth, ME 04605.

Here’s a great opportunity to go Down East. The Maine Old Cemetery Association, hosted by the Machiasport Historical Society, will hold its summer meeting on Saturday, July 30, at the Gates House, 344 Port Road, Machiasport.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Frank L. Foster Jr. will speak on “Early Machiasport.”

Representatives of the University of Maine at Machias will speak about their project about an African-American community – the Atusville District – that was in Machias after the Revolutionary War.

Bring a bag lunch, and enjoy a guided tour of area cemeteries in the afternoon.

Registration is $3. Coffee and doughnuts will be served by the host group.

Bradford Days will be held Saturday, July 16, organized by the Bradford Volunteer Fire Department.

The parade will start at 10 a.m. at the firehouse, with activities afterward at Bradford Elementary School.

Events at the John B. Curtis Free Public Library include a library book sale, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; the Bradford Heritage Museum open 9 a.m.-noon; and the Bradford Heritage Archives open 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

The museum is also open other times by appointment; call 327-1246 or 327-2329.

The archives is open 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays.

A free genealogy workshop will be presented at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 12, in the lower level at the Monson Town Hall. Bring your materials and take a journey in time with Theo Walker, state chairman of membership for the Daughters of the American Revolution, assisted by Leilani Stites, also a state chairman. The sponsor is the Maine DAR, and the host chapter is Tisbury Manor. To let them know you will attend, call 997-2013.

A Briggs family reunion for the descendants of Abial Briggs, 1760-1855, and second wife Elizabeth (Chase), 1761-1855, of New Brunswick, will be held Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 6-7, in Lindsay, New Brunswick – which is not far from Woodstock and from the Maine town of Houlton.

Registration will be held at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Lindsay Community Hall on Route 550. The supper meal costs $8 for adults, $4 for children under 12.

On Sunday, there will be a service at 11 a.m. at the Lindsay United Baptist Church, of which Elijah Briggs was a founding member. Several family members will take part. A lunch will be held afterward in the church gymnasium.

Bring copies of old and new family photos. If you can’t attend, send photos for an album.

RSVP by July 15 to Judy Briggs, 5168 Route 540, Oakville, NB E7M 5P7; telephone (506) 328-2827; briggscm@nbnet.nb.ca

Among those looking forward to the reunion is Kimberly Marquis of Fort Kent, whose grandfather Earl Briggs Sr. lived in Gouldsboro.

3332. RICE-BRIGGS. Looking for information on ancestry of Myra (Rice) Briggs. Line includes Elmer Rice, 1861-1940, and wife Bessie (Bickford) Rice, 1866-1948, who married 1886 in Goulsboro; and a Jonas E. Rice who married Nancy Crane. We believe Rice family came from Canada in 1800s, but this is only a theory. Kimberly A. Marquis, P.O. Box 85, Fort Kent, ME 04743-0085.