Genealogy
Who Do You Think You Are?
Would you like to start researching your family history and building a family tree, but are not sure where to begin? Starting your family tree all begins with questions: what is a family tree? Who is in my family tree? From there, it's research, research, and more research! This can often be the most time consuming, but most rewarding element of building your own family tree. It can be difficult to find all the records of ancestors you need, but that’s where we can help!
Our collection of local family trees, vital statistics, obituaries and cemetery records will help you put the leaves on your tree. Get your children and grandchildren involved in family history research too! Children are truly the future, so it's important to educate them about your own family history, so they can continue to carry on the tradition and family tree for generations to come.
Already completed your tree? Bring us a copy and we will add it to our collection. Who knows? You might find a few more branches with colorful leaves to add to your unique tree.
Online Resources
House/property history -- several links to help search for your home's history, prior owners, deeds, maps, etc: https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/a-guide-to-researching-the-history-of-a-house/
History of Ellis Island-- history and significance of Ellis Island, how to read passenger arrival records, it's importance to genealogy and ancestry research, etc. : https://www.yourlawyer.com/library/new-york-city-history-ellis-island/
Our library includes, but not limited to, the following:
Acton Town Vital Records - Late 1800-1950
Birth Records
Marriage Records
Death Records
Acton Town Reports
1871 through Present
Shapleigh Town Reports
1865 through Present
Early Families of Shapleigh & Acton - Fred Boyle 2002
Early Families of Sanford & Springvale - Fred Boyle 1989
Later Families of Sanford & Springvale - Fred Boyle 1995
Early Families of Waterborough - Fred Boyle 2012
Maine Genealogy, Volumes 1-4 - 1909
History of Acton - John Fullonton 1847
History of Acton - 1980
Shapleigh Earliest Settlements in the 18th & 19th Century - 1969
Cemetery Records
Maple Grove Cemetery in Acton
Acton Corner Cemetery
Highland Grove Cemetery in North Shapleigh
Shapleigh Community Cemetery
Ross Corner Cemetery
Emery Mills Cemetery
Many Private Family Cemeteries
Local Family Records - to name just few
Sanborn
Meigs & Smith
Muchmore
Webber
Ridley
Trafton
Goodwin
Dunnells
Patch
Jellison
Chick
Bridges
Nason
Shapleigh
Wentworth
Ham
Early Obituaries, Scrapbooks and Photographs
Pine Cones and Forget Me Nots