Since the day before was a research day, the next day was for exploring. Colonial Pemaquid I highly recommend visiting the Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site if you are in that part of Maine. It has a complex history that includes three forts built at different times: In 1677 (Fort Charles), in 1692 (Fort William…
Though I’m based in New York City, if you have been reading my blog you will have noticed many posts about ancestors in Maine. Late summer in Maine is lovely, with an average temperature around 72. I try to visit once a year during that time both to relax and recharge and to conduct some…
In honor of Valentine’s Day, this week’s theme is, of course, “Love.” It is the perfect time to continue the Melcher family’s story. I’ve already written about Benjamin Morse Melcher, a sea captain living in Brunswick, Maine. His wife’s name was Emeline Sylvester Morse, daughter of Joseph Morse Jr. and Lucy Sylvester. They were first…
This week’s theme is “Thankful” Back in August, I went on vacation to mid-coast Maine. Every time I go, I am amazed by how much of my mother’s family history is intertwined in some of the small towns there. The little cottage that my great-great Aunt had built is about one hundred years old now…
This week’s 52 Ancestors theme is the ancestor with the “birthday closest to yours.” According to my research, I don’t have anyone sharing my birthday, not even brothers and sisters of ancestors. I’ve already written about the ancestor whose birthday was closest: Jonathan Ellis, born April 11, 1762. Next in line is Lucy Sylvester Morse,…
I’m participating in the 52 Ancestors challenge: Post about a different ancestor each week of the year. “Back to School” is the theme for week 35. I have already written about several ancestors who were teachers as it was a common occupation in my family. This time I’ll talk about my great-grandmother Mary Ellis Pray. She…
This week’s theme is “colorful.” As a young child, I was fortunate to live close to my maternal Grandparents; Dr. Donald Seward and Dorothy Melcher. The best thing about staying at their place? Unlimited art supplies. My favorites were the watercolor paints and the Cray-Pas (pastel crayons). Grandma Seward died when I was only seven so it…
The 26th week’s theme was “Black Sheep.” Jonathan Ellis did not start out as a black sheep, but then he left his family and disappeared. I have been gathering family stories since a young age and very few have been what you might call scandalous. A few NPEs (Non-Paternal Events) here and there, maybe a…
Alternate title: “How many James Prays were there in Maine?” This week’s theme is “Same Name” and many genealogists are faced with untangling which James Pray (or Robert Smith or Patrick O’Brien) belong to which generation. If you do a search for James Pray in Maine on FamilySearch you will see many many James Prays….
This weeks prompt, “Maiden Aunt,” is a subject I’ve written about before in my post on my maternal grandfather Donald’s Aunt Lily. My maternal grandmother had Aunt “Nennie,” the family’s name for Helen Eugenie Melcher, daughter of Burdus Redford Morse Melcher and Margaret Fulton Richards and sister to her father Carol. While reviewing my research…