Finding Your Roots
How to Get Started with Genealogy
(Damariscotta, Maine – May 28, 2010) Genealogy, also known as Family History, is an exciting hobby enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. Family History Day, June14, celebrates the importance of families and family life to people and their communities. This is a perfect day to learn a bit about your genealogy.
Family history doesn't have to be overwhelming, even though there's an endless supply of records to search. Census, military records and vital records are a great place to start—try one of them to get your feet wet. You never know which nugget of information will set you on the path to breaking down your brick walls. On June 14 at 10 a.m., at Spectrum Generations Coastal Community Center, 521 Main Street in Damariscotta, Certified Genealogist Helen Shaw, will share research ideas that can get your family tree started or launch it to a new level. Insights about on-line search engines and the historical treasures that can be found around ones home, in the town vault or at ones local historical society will be highlights of Helen’s workshop.
Whether you are an experienced genealogist or a beginner who wants to see what genealogy is all about, no matter your age or level of experience, come to Helen’s genealogy seminar on June 14 to learn about some of the best tools to use for genealogy and family history research. $5 participant fee. Advanced registration required. Call 563-1363 by June11 to sign-up for Helen’s seminar.
Helen has been a resident of Rockport since 2003 when she and her family returned to her husband's home state. Her roots to Maine include an ancestor who was a minister in Whitefield in the mid-1700s. Since arriving in Rockport, Helen has been elected to the Rockport Charter Commission and is currently serving on the Camden-Rockport Pathways Committee and the Rockport Cemetery Committee. Additionally, she is the Regent of the Lady Knox Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, is the vice-president and secretary of the Old Broad Bay Family History Association and is on the board of directors of the Maine Genealogical Society.
Helen and her husband of 30 years, Bill Chapman, have two children, Will who is attending University of Southern Maine and Nate, a graduate of Camden Hills Regional High School, who is attended Landmark College in Putney, VT, and who is currently enrolled at the University of Maine-Orono . Helen is a graduate of Leominister, MA, high school and has an bachelors degree from Ohio State University and a masters degree in Anthropology from the University of Michigan. Her professional career prior to moving to Maine was in biomedical research with such institutions as University of Illinois School of Public Health, the American Medical Association and the UCLA/RAND Health Study.
She is currently involved in genealogical and historical research as a writer, speaker and teacher. Helen does genealogy Research in Lincoln, Knox & Waldo Counties, Maine and at the Maine State Library and Maine State Archives in Augusta; Research in other Maine counties & repositories by special arrangement.
If you'd like to like more information about these topics, Spectrum Generations, or to schedule an interview with Helen Shaw please contact Marianne Pinkham at (207) 563-1363 or e-mail Marianne at mpinkham@spectrumgenerations.org.
The public is invited to call the Agency’s Consumer Helpline at 1-800-639-1553 for more details; or to join the Spectrum Generations Volunteer Corps. The agency’s website is located at: www.spectrumgenerations.org.
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