Passing of Clyde G. Berry

Written by Don Taylor on . Posted in _Taconnett Falls, Announcements, _Penobscot County

It is with great sadness I report the passing of Clyde G. Berry on 5 May 2018.

Photo of Clyde Berry

Clyde Berry

Clyde was an avid genealogist; he was a life member of the Maine Genealogical Society and has served as Treasurer and Director. He was a member and President of the Taconnett Falls Chapter of MGS and past President of the Penobscot Chapter of MGS. He was a life member and Past President of the Maine Old Cemetery Association as well as a member of the Board of Directors. He was a member of the New England Historical and Genealogical Society. He served as President of the Somerville Historical Society of Somerville, Maine and was involved with the publishing of the History of Patricktown/Somerville, Maine. He was a member of The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, descended from Labon P. Frost of Glenburn and John H. Johnson of Wellington, and also was a member and Past President of Maine Society Sons of the American Revolution, descended from Sargent Shaw, Richard Whitten and Daniel Tarbox. He was a member of the St. Andrew’s Society of Maine. He has also belonged to the Colson, Reynolds, McKusick and Hubbard family associations.

He is survived by a brother, Charles R. Berry of Glenburn, Maine, many cousins and friends.

He will be deeply missed.

Waterville, Maine 1890 Census now available through the Taconnett Falls chapter!

Written by Brian Bouchard on . Posted in Books, _Taconnett Falls

Many genealogists have run into the conundrum over the years of trying to find their ancestors in the 1890 census only to learn most of the census for that year was destroyed during a fire many years ago.  Researchers looking for their Waterville ancestors may be surprised to know a copy of the 1890 census still exists and was recently published through the hard work of the Tacconnett Falls chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society and Sam Teddy Publishing.  The paperback book contains nearly 300 pages (including index) and is a must have for anyone researching their 1890’s Waterville families.

Thanks so much to the folks at the Taconnett Chapter for bringing this vital resource to print!

If you’re interested in purchasing a copy, you can contact the Taconnett Falls chapter of MGS at taconnettfalls11@yahoo.com for more information.

For more information about how this resource came to be available, check out this Bangor Daily News article by Roxanne Saucier:

http://bangordailynews.com/2014/12/07/living/1890-census-records-for-waterville-gets-reprinted-as-new-284-page-book/

Save the date – TFC Open House September 17th, 2011

Written by Brian Bouchard on . Posted in _Taconnett Falls

OPEN HOUSE AT GENEALOGY LIBRARY

On Saturday September 17, 2011, the Taconnett Falls Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society will host an OPEN HOUSE from 1 to 4 PM. The library is located at 10 Lithgow St. in Winslow, the former Winslow Public Library. All members and visitors are welcome.

If you are new to genealogy, members with their expertise will help show you how to get started whether you have French, English, Norwegian, etc. ancestry. Forms are available to fill your ancestry out, as well as show you many resources, especially if you have Maine connections.

There will be free light snacks and coffee and visitors can tour the library and view the large number of books and records available for research. Several computers are also available which have many records as well as thousands of obituaries filed in alphabetical order.

At 2 PM the Chapter will hold their giant raffle which has 11 nice prizes. It will be the last chance to buy raffle tickets for this drawing. This is a fund-raiser to help the Chapter pay for heating expenses during the colder months.

The Chapter has a web site at: http://home.gwi.net/~frenchgen/taconnett.htm with a map showing the location of the library is on the above web page.

Please come and visit us.

Taconnett Falls Chapter News

Written by Brian Bouchard on . Posted in _Taconnett Falls, Meetings

Winter hours for the Taconnett Genealogical Library in Winslow, Maine, are Saturdays, from 12:o0 – 3:00 p.m.

The chapter recently held election of officers and the we congratulate those elected: President Fred Clark, Vice-President Bob Chenard, Secretary Kay Marsh, Treasurer Herb Brock, and Directors Thelma Brooks, Barbara Gunvaldsen and Janet Boynton.

They will be holding their Christmas Party on Sunday, December 20th.

For more information, visit them at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~metfcmgs.

Taconnett Falls Chapter announces September meeting

Written by Brian Bouchard on . Posted in _Taconnett Falls, Meetings

The next meeting of Taconnett Falls Chapter will be on September 20th.

Here is a chance to hear from one of our local experts, not to mention a past winner of the Maine Genealogical Society’s Award of Excellence in Genealogical Service – Thelma Eye Brooks.

Thelma’s topic for the September meeting will be “What to find in Civil War Records.” With the effects of the Civil War touching virtually every family in some way, this should be an excellent talk of benefit to all family history researchers.

The Society meets at the Taconnett Falls Genealogical Library, 10 Lithgow Street, Winslow, Maine. The library opens at 1 p.m. on meeting days. For more information, please visit their website at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~metfcmgs.

Taconnett to hold 6th Annual Genealogy Fair

Written by Brian Bouchard on . Posted in Events, _Taconnett Falls, Announcements

The Taconnett Falls Chapter of MGS announces their 6th Annual Genealogy Fair. This popular event will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2009, at the Taconnett Genealogy Library, 10 Lithgow Street, Winslow, Maine, from 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to spend a relaxing day devoted to researching and networking.

Special 2009 offerings include:

10:00 “There’s a long, long, road a-winding, but you CAN get there from here-ah”. Sarah Crockett will share some of the lessons learned from her experiences.

11:00 “Organizational Tips for Genealogists” will be presented by Carolyn Browne.

1:30 “Brick Walls: A Panel Discussion” moderated by Janet Weymouth is just the place for help with your questions like – where should I look? what’s next? or ___? Panelists will be Jerry Gower, MF-1790s contributor and Washington County expert; Kay Marsh, Kennebec Valley family researcher; and Carol McCoy, noted genealogical researcher and national presenter.

Not to mention –
  • Representatives of various societies including Penobscot County Genealogical Society, the recently formed Sidney Historical Society and Vassalborough Historical Society, plus others will be at the fair to share with you information about the valuable resources offered by their societies.
  • Debbie Roberge will be available to show you all the ins and outs of the RootsMagic software. While at the Fair, check with others to see which software they prefer.
  • Celeste Hyer, MGS Membership Secretary, will be available for Maine Genealogical Society related questions.
  • Check out what’s offered by the Maine Old Cemetery Association (MOCA).
  • Family association representatives including Roland Rhoades, who will share the latest Rhoades updates along with listings of Universalist & Unitarian ministers in Maine.
  • Janice Gower will be sharing her extensive knowledge of the Woolwich area and the expertise she has gained compiling may sketches for the Maine Families in 1790 project.
  • If you have Maine roots you will likely need to know about Franco-American research. Clair Poulin from the Maine Franco-American Society (their library is in Auburn) and Taconnett’s own Franco expert, Bob Chenard, will be available to help with the unique aspects of this type of research.
  • Ancestry outside of Maine? Check with Barbara Gunvaldsen experienced Scandinavian genealogical researcher.
What a full day! And did we mention the book sale, prize drawings and refreshments? If you didn’t attend one or all of the first five fairs, you really missed out – Don’t let that happen again.

For more information, visit their website at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~metfcmgs – or you can email taconnettfalls@yahoo.com – or call (207) 873-5590.

Taconnett Falls Chapters announces upcoming programs

Written by Brian Bouchard on . Posted in _Taconnett Falls, Meetings

The Taconnett Falls Chapter’s electronic newsletter was recently received and here’s what they have on tap:

May 17th – Carolyn Browne with “How to Prepare for Genie Search in Norway with Pictures”

June 21st – Annual Genealogy Fair

July 19th – Carolyn Browne discusses how to join the Mayflower Society and Carolyn Kelley discusses how to join the DAR.

The Taconnett Falls Genealogy Library is located at 10 Lithgow Street in Winslow, Maine. The library is open on Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. The library opens at 1:00 PM on meeting days, the 3rd Sunday of each month.

For more information, you can contact them at taconettfalls@yahoo.com.

Taconnett Falls Chapter to hold its Annual Party

Written by Brian Bouchard on . Posted in _Taconnett Falls, Meetings

Snow in December caused the postponement of Taconnett’s Annual Party. It has been rescheduled for January 18, 2009. Plan to attend and bring something to share with everyone. The group meets at its’ Taconnett Genealogical Library located on Lithgow Street in Winslow.

Newly elected officers for 2009 include: Fred Clark, President; Kent Sinclair, Vice-President; Laton Edwards, Treasurer; and Barbara Gunvaldsen, Secretary.

A quick view of their upcoming meetings:

Feb 15 2009 – Thelma Brooks discusses census and genealogical research

Mar 15 2009 – Carolyn Browne discusses how to prepare for a Genie Search in Norway

Apr 19 2009 – Jan Weymouth discusses how to join the Mayflower Society and Carolyn Kelley discusses how to join the DAR

May 17 2009 – Cheryl Willis Patten discusses unexpected resources

To learn more, visit their website at: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~metfcmgs/.

December Genealogical Events

Written by Brian Bouchard on . Posted in Events, _Taconnett Falls, _Pejepscot, Research Links, _Greater Portland, Meetings, _Penobscot County

Here’s what is happening genealogically around the state for December:

December 6, 2008
Greater Portland Chapter of MGS
Winslow, Maine
Finding Healing in Family History with Angels of Austria
presented by Judy Faust

December 14, 2008
Pejepscot Genealogy Society
Brunswick, Maine
Christmas Party
at the Holden Frost House at the Highlands, Topsham, Maine

December 17, 2008
Penobscot County Genealogical Society
Bangor, Maine
Open Research Night with Holiday Refreshments

December 21, 2008
Taconnett Falls Chapter of MGS
Winslow, Maine
Christmas Party

We hope to see you at one of these events!

November Genealogical Events

Written by Brian Bouchard on . Posted in Events, _Taconnett Falls, _Pejepscot, _Greater Portland, Meetings, _Wassebec, _Penobscot County

Here’s what’s happening genealogically around the state for November:

November 1, 2008
Greater Portland Chapter of MGS
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Poland Spring – A Tale of the Guilded Age 1860-1900 presented by David L. Richards

November 9, 2008
Pejepscot Genealogy Society
Brunswick, Maine
Researching at the Maine State Archives presented by Jeffrey Brown, Maine State Archivist

November 13, 2008
Wassebec Genealogical Society
Dover-Foxcroft, Maine
Coming to America, the Immigrant Experience presented by Jack Battick

November 16, 2008
Taconnett Falls Chapter of MGS
Winslow, Maine
Voyages – A Maine Franco-American Reader presented by Nelson Madore

November 19, 2008
Penobscot County Genealogical Society
Bangor, Maine
First White Settlers on the Penobscot presented by Fran & Guy Grant

October Genealogical Events

Written by Brian Bouchard on . Posted in Events, _Taconnett Falls, _Greater Portland, Meetings, _Penobscot County

Here’s what’s happening genealogically around the state for October:

October 4, 2008
Greater Portland Chapter of MGS
Winslow, Maine
Portland’s Irish Heritage Center presented by David Soule

October 15, 2008
Penobscot County Genealogical Society
Bangor, Maine
eGenealogy: 2008 presented by Dale W. Mower

October 19, 2008
Taconnett Falls Chapter of MGS
Winslow, Maine
Vassalboro Historical Society looks at a famous Vassalboro home
presented by Kent London

October 25, 2008
Maine Genealogical Society 2009 Conference Committee
and
Maine Genealogical Society Executive Committee Meeting
Benton, Maine
Meetings are open to any interested MGS member
For information, please e-mail Dale W. Mower, President
dale@mower-family.com