Family 2009

Advertising supplement to the Sun Journal Sunday, October 11, 2009

• Genealogy • Save money on groceri • Literacy

2

Family

Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, October 11, 2009

When it comes to loved ones, it’s essential to hire someone you trust Did you know that by the year 2010 half of the population in our area will be over the age of 60? As an increasing number of the population is living well past the age of 70, 80 and even 90, finding the proper care for an aging parent or spouse has become a common issue. Ailing or frail seniors often need extra assistance and usually wish to remain in the familiar surroundings of their own home as opposed to moving to a facility.

Caregivers face some tough questions when making this

decision.

What services can be provided?

What are the issues to be considered when choosing an in-home service agency?

Who can provide the quality of care that my loved one deserves?

Most in-home service agencies usually offer a variety of homemaker services such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, and running errands as well as personal care assistance with personal hygiene such as bathing, dressing and

toileting.

When putting your senior loved one in the hands of someone else, the agency of choice must not only be able to provide the services needed, but also be reputable and trustworthy. To be confident that quality service from caring aides will be provided, it is imperative to consider the five key elements of choosing an agency: Safety, Compassion, Experience, Flexibility and Reliability.

Safety Make sure that periodic

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criminal background checks are required for all aides prior to employment. You will feel much more at ease knowing that your loved one is receiving care from someone who is trustworthy and who has been through an extensive background check. Once you begin your research, you will be amazed at how many agencies don’t require this very important component. Also, check to ensure that proper training such as CPR and first aid are required and inquire whether checking the State Elder Abuse Registry is part of each aide’s background review. In addition, make sure the agency is licensed. This ensures the agency is adhering to recommended state regulations.

Compassion No matter how many safety policies are implemented by an agency, quality of care will suffer if the administering aides do not show compassion to their senior clients. Seniors deserve to receive care from someone who is kind, respectful, understanding and knowledgeable of their special needs. Although this is a very subjective attribute, interviewing several present and past clients will give you the information you need.

Experience Ask how long the agency has been in business. Experience is a necessary quality and an agency’s proven record will put you at ease when making your decision to use their services. Also, consider the turnover rate of the aides on staff.

An agency that has a revolving door of in-home service aides may have some internal issues that may affect the level of service you receive.

Flexibility It is important to inquire about the range of services the agency will provide, and if you need individualized service, inquire whether the agency

will be flexible to meet your special needs.

Also ask how quickly you can receive services.

Many agencies have a long waiting list, which can be frustrating to someone who needs help immediately.

We never know when an aging parent may suddenly need extra help during the day and relying on a reputable agency with compassionate aides can be a welcome relief.

A related question to ask is if there are a minimum number of hours per visit and the cost associated with this requirement. Some agencies require a minimum of up to six hours per day and clients must pay for them even if they don’t use them. Others have a much lower minimum requirement.

Research and find the agencies that will work with you on this issue — your checkbook will appreciate it!

Reliability Speaking of your checkbook, find out the cancellation policy when investigating various agencies. You should not be charged if you cancel services within 24 hours. On the other hand, if the aide who is assigned to provide your senior loved one care can’t make it that day, the agency should be able to send a replacement without interruption of service. Aides should also have a reputation for being punctual and courteous.

After you’ve carefully researched all of the above considerations, check the agency’s references by talking with other clients who have received their in-home services. If the feedback that you receive includes glowing remarks about their experience, dependability, flexibility, reliability, and compassion — you know your loved one will be in good hands.

For more information, contact Kate Adams at Aging Excellence.

Family 3

Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, October 11, 2009

A Family for ME: Foster care

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here are currently 1,976 children in foster care within the state of Maine and 1,240 foster parents. The need for parents to provide care is great. Many of the children who wait for permanent loving homes are older than 11 years old; some of them are in sibling groups that want to remain together. A number of children reside in group homes and could move to a foster home if there were more appropriate resources available.

Children who come into foster care do best when they can remain within their communities.

Continuing in their schools, places of faith, clubs, sports and organizations improves their ability to cope and manage while their families get the services and supports needed to be reunified.

Denise and Bill Gove have provided foster care for 10 years. They enjoy being available to support and assist their children to become responsible, caring and loving people. They state that children who are in foster care need what all children

need. As foster/adoptive parents, they always consider what is in their children’s best interest. They acknowledge that parenting children who have been harmed or who have special needs is hard at times, but they would do it all again. They believe that providing care for foster children has strengthened their family as they are united in their approach to meeting their children’s needs.

Denise and Bill encourage others to consider becoming foster/ adoptive parents so that children will have the best possible families to grow up in. Bill and Denise’s philosophy is “never say never until you have tried

Johnathan

Sara

it.” They remind people that there are numerous supports for families who are parenting children within the foster care system. The help for children and families includes counseling, in home supports, school personnel and your DHHS worker.

Foster/adoptive parents can be single, partnered or married.

They can live in apartments or in their own homes. They can work full or part time. They do not need to be wealthy, they just need to have financial resources to meet their obligations.

When youth do not obtain permanency, they “age out” of the system; often at age 18 without connections to people who can support them as they learn skills that lead them to success as adults. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, 22,718 children aged out of the system in 2004 and that number continues to rise. Of those youth who leave care without forever families, only 50% of them obtained a high school diploma and 46% of the girls were pregnant compared to 20% of their same aged peers who are not in care.

Jeremiah Grayhem and Ashli, A Family for ME. Photos: CPImages of Lewiston, ME.

Families who are interested in finding out more about providing foster or adoptive care can call A Family For ME at 1-877505-0545, or visit www.afamilyforme.org Frequently asked questions about foster care Below are answers to common questions about foster care in Maine. For more information, call 1-877-505-0545.

How many foster parents are in Maine? As of December 2008, there were approximately 1,238 foster families in Maine.

Does my spouse or partner have to attend the informational meeting with me? No. However, spouses are encouraged to attend. For most informational

meetings, it is not appropriate for children to attend.

Does my spouse or partner have to attend the training with me? Yes, spouses are required to attend the pre-service training with CWTI. How long will the process take? Foster Care Licensing will usually be at least a six-month process.

Can single people provide foster care? Yes, single people can provide foster care.

Is there a stipend? Yes, the stipend the foster family receives is based on each individual child’s need.

How much does foster care cost? Minimal, as DHHS pays the majority of the expenses.

Do you have more questions?

Please let us know! Call 1-877505-0545 or visit www.afamilyforme.org.

4

Family

Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, October 11, 2009

5

Literacy: The importance of reading begin to talk about what’s happening in a stoFreelance Writer ry, the sounds animals make, what is big and little, and so on,” Lockwood said. “It’s imporore than 40 years ago, the tant to include conversation with the child as phrase “Reading is Fundapart of the reading process, and to have rituals mental” brought to light like a quiet story before bed. Parents often the importance of reading find that reading with their child becomes one to young children as well as of their most important bonding times. Plus, the importance of reading as the cornerstone it gives parents a chance to share their interbuilding block for everyday activities. ests with their child and to educate their child Do you want to follow a recipe? Drive a car? about the world.”

Fill out an application? Balance a checkbook?

“One-on-one reading provides the perfect Understand laws? Take advantage of a sale? environment to bond, connect, and communiIf so, you must know how to read and, prefercate with each child in the family, certainly all ably, read well. positive effects of reading aloud to children,” “It’s almost impossible to over-estimate the Speer agreed. “It is often at the end of the day, importance of reading to young children,” when bedtime stories are read, that parents stated Lynn Lockwood, director of the Aulearn the most about what went on with their burn Public Library. “Years of research have child during school and at play,” he said. proven that investment in the education of “One-on-one reading is also the perfect inforchildren during their earliest years is perhaps mal teaching environment, one of the forethe greatest investment we can make, both for most positive effects of reading aloud to chilthat child and for the future of our community dren. Hopefully, our children get daily story and our country. Children who engage in time at school, but a classroom situation isn’t activities that promote emergent literacy do always the (easiest) environment for children better in school and in life.” to get their questions answered.” Children are Rick Speer, director of the Lewiston Public naturally curious and innate questioners, he Library, noted, “Just 20 minutes a day reading pointed out. aloud with young children strengthens rela“Simply reading with a child every day tionships, encourages listening and language gives that child the best start on learning to skills, promotes attention and curiosity, and read,” Lockwood said. “If all children heard establishes a strong reading foundation.” All stories every day, many more children would of these benefits are essential for success in become good readers, and good readers tend to school as well as in life, he added. do well in school. Besides, those few minutes “Sharing books can begin as soon as a child the adult and child take to share a story can be is born with reading nursery rhymes. Once a the happiest time of the day.” child can sit up, it’s fun to share pictures and Speer pointed to research from the Web site, www.childtrendsdatabank. org. “By the age of two, children who are read to regularly display greater language comprehension, larger vocabularies and higher cognitive skills than their peers,” he said. “Shared parent-child book reading during children’s preschool years leads to higher reading achievement in elementary school as well as greater enthusiasm for reading and learning. In addition, being read to aids in the (social and) emotional development of young children, giving them the skills to become independent readers and transition from infancy to toddlerhood.”

Public library programs help demonstrate to parents the best ways to nurture a child’s emerging love of learning, Lockwood related. “Our shelves are full of great adventures for parents and children to share.”

Gavin Eric Whittington, age 8.5 months, the son of ”You may have tangible wealth Eric and Stacey Whittington of Lewiston, is listening untold; to “Peek-a-Boo, I love You!” written by Sandra Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.

Magsamen, and read to him by his grandmother, Richer than I you can never be — Jan O’Brien of Lewiston. Gavin is especially fond of I had a Mother who read to me.”

“Curious George” books by H. A. Rey. — Strickland Gillilan

By Linda Galway

M

The Auburn Public Library of-

fers these insights to parents and programs for children as noted in the library’s Web site, www.auburn.lib.me.us.

Studies show that babies and toddlers are already building essential brain connections that, if not stimulated, will atrophy and fail.

From the very beginning, young children need an abundance of interactive activity with other people (talking, singing, reading, playing) to achieve their fullest potential in life. The Children’s Department provides a full selection of materials, services and programs to help families give their youngest members, from birth through sixth grade, a great start toward achieving their dreams.

PRESCHOOL STORIES

Wednesdays, in the Maggie Trafton Program Room. Each Wednesday morning we offer our story program twice — at 9:30 and again at 10:30 — so families may choose the most convenient time to attend. All gather in the Children’s Room, and then the children ages 3-5 (and experienced listeners who are almost three) move to the program room while their grownups and siblings remain in the Children’s Room to chat, choose books and make friends. Wednesday morning story programs are designed for children who are comfortable being in a group without their parent.

This program is for families; agencies and childcare groups may contact the library to schedule group visits at another time.

Also, the Preschool Stories programs this fall will feature occasional visits from Auburn community helpers, such as Police Chief Phil Crowell.

ages eight and up. (Contact library for dates and times.)

BOOK CHAT

With Laurie, Saturday from 1-1:45 p.m. in the Maggie Trafton Program Room. APL’s Laurie Pinkham welcomes middle grade readers to share and learn about what’s new and exciting in books especially for their age.

Participants bring their favorite book suggestions to share while enjoying refreshments, games, and fun. Best for kids in grades three through six. (Contact library for dates and times.)

MUSIC TOGETHER

(ages 0-5) A research-based music and movement program designed to support the musical development of babies, children and their caregivers. Singing, chanting moving to the beat, “jamming” with instruments and more.

FMI, contact Caroline Coffin at 777-4932 or email: carolinecoffin@hotmail.com

PARENT CHILD WORKSHOP SERIES

APL will be holding a Parent-Child Workshop Series for parents and their children ages 1-3. Our next session starts Tuesday, October 6 and will run for 4 weeks through Tuesday October 27. The sessions will be held in the Androscoggin Community Room and will run from 10:30-11:45 a.m.

The Parent-Child Workshop Series is designed to familiarize parents and their young children (12-36 months) with library and community services. The workshops will give parents the chance to spend time with their child while meeting other families with young children. Play, sing, create a craft and learn to have fun with your child. Community resource professionals will be on hand to discuss and answer questions about speech and

SPROUTS

A family lap-sit program. Saturdays, from 10:30-10:50 a.m., in the Children’s Room. Babies from birth through 36-months and their parents gather with Heather on the story quilt for a rollicking good time with nursery rhymes, songs, board books, finger plays and each other. Siblings are welcome to join us.

KIDS COOKING CLUB

Left to right: In nice weather, Sarah (kindergarten) and Maeghan (2nd grade) Perkins, of Turner, love to sit on the big swing on the front porch to read. Here, the girls read “The Ballet Star” by Adelé Geras, the first library book Sarah has brought home from Turner Primary School.

hearing, nutrition, physical fitness and behavior. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

For more information on these and upcoming programs or to register, please call Deb Cleveland in the Children’s Services Department at 333-6640 ext. 2004.

The Lewiston Public Library

offers the following activities for children on a regular basis. All programs run throughout the year except for Read to a ... Dog,? which takes the summer off:

STORYTIMES

Babytimes (ages 0 to 2-1/2), Fridays, 10 a.m.; Preschool Storytime (2-1/2 to 5), Tuesdays, 10 a.m; All Ages Storytimes, Mondays, 6:30 p.m. Storytimes are a great opportunity to enrich your little one with wonderful stories and lively songs. They are also an opportunity for parents to meet other parents and children in the area. Each storytime will last about a half-hour and is aimed at a specific age group. Siblings are always welcome, too. No preregistration is necessary.

SATURDAY STORIES

With Judy D’Amour at 9:30 a.m. in the Children’s Room. During the school year, Judy visits the third Saturday of each month, when children may join her in dramatizing favorite stories and creating a work of art to take home.

READ TO A ... DOG

URBAN FIELD TRIP

Saturday, 10-11 a.m. — meet at the front desk. In collaboration with L-A College’s ongoing Spineless Wonders exhibit, Susan Hayward of Stanton Bird Club and Sharon Hawkes of APL lead participants on a trek around the Library in search of the invertebrates we live with every day. Best for kids

Silvestri, program manager for the Art Van is an artist with 17 years experience. She provides hands on creative opportunities for selfexpression, personal growth and fun. She uses art to help children explore and enrich their lives and make sense of the world around them. No pre-registration is necessary for this event.

Ellie Baillargeon, 3, gets cozy with her aunt, Amanda Baillargeon, of Lewiston, as she is read “Martha to the Rescue,” a true story about saving Valerie, the famous chicken, written by Janet Gates Bonney of Harpswell, Maine. Bonney is Ellie’s great-grandfather’s sister.

(Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Saturdays at noon) Research has shown that when children read aloud to dogs their skills and confidence increase. The dog is an attentive and uncritical listener as the children explain the story and work through their own vocabulary and comprehension. Children tend to retain what they read longer because they read it out loud., and the chance to interact with a trained dog and the dog’s handler is fun and motivational! You must call ahead to reserve a 5 or 10 minute spot to read to the dog.

ART VAN

Thursdays, 4-5 p.m. (ages 6-13) This mobile art program brings the arts to children. Jamie

(ages 7-14) Lots to Gardens presents a series of cooking events including games, simple nutritional instruction and preparation of an easy snack. Participants need to sign up at the Children’s Desk. Class size is limited to 8 for this very popular program.

For more information, call the Children’s Desk at 513-3133 or e-mail dmoorhead@ ci.lewiston.me.us.

Gifts of faith for everyone

By Gemma Osborne

I

Divine Inspirations

t’s amazing the different types of Bibles that are available. There are audio, Catholic, children’s, large print, church and ministry, devotional, family, student and other language Bibles, to name a few. To fully understand the depth of the different types of Bibles, you need to know which translation you are seeking. There are many translations; here are a few examples of the most popular.

New International Version (NIV): Highly accurate and smooth reading in modern English.

King James Version (KJV): Difficult to read due to the 17th-century English vocabulary and word order.

New King James Version (NKJV): Easier word usage, somewhat choppy whereas it holds the 17th century sentence structure.

New Living Translation (NLT): A readable translation, commonly used by the average person.

New International Readers Version (NIrV): Very easy to understand, short words and simple sentences.

Good News Translation (GNT): Very simple reading without jargon. Uses lim-

ited vocabulary. Once you understand the translations then you can opt for the type.

Plain vanilla: These Bibles contain just the scripture in your chosen translation, arranged by book, chapter and verse, the kind most of us are familiar with.

Red letter: This type is often combined with the other types, however the actual words of Jesus are printed in red.

Chronological: In this type, the scripture is arranged in historical chronological order instead of book, chapter and verse.

In a year: Most of these Bibles are arranged in 365 convenient chunks. One for every day of the year.

Parallel Bibles: These have more than one translation, in parallel columns, in the same book. Sometimes seeing the same verse worded differently helps with understanding it to the fullest.

Topical: In these Bibles the scripture is not arranged in the usual book, chapter, verse format. Instead, everything is arranged by topic, for example, marriage.

They are handy for people who want to quickly get all of what the Bible says on a certain subject.

For more information, contact Gemma at Divine Inspirations, 386 Minot Ave., Auburn.

6

Family

Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, October 11, 2009

HelpMELaw:

Divorce and parental rights

D

ivorce and the sharing of parental rights are serious matters. For most people, this is a difficult, stressful time. In this guide, we try to explain and simplify the court process for you. We hope that this will help you feel more confident about dealing with the legal system. You can get through this. Begin here and take one step at a time.

Should I get a lawyer?

We provide this information for low-income people who cannot afford to hire lawyers.

If you can afford the cost, we advise you to get a lawyer. But, if you cannot afford one, here are some guidelines.

You should try to get a lawyer if your divorce is complicated by: • property issues such as pensions or real estate • arguments over children • domestic violence, or • other difficult problems.

You may want to try to do it yourself if: • you and your spouse have agreed on the terms of the divorce, • you do not feel that your spouse is a threat, and • you have little property or debts, which you can divide fairly.

If you think you need a lawyer and cannot afford one, call the Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP): 1-800-442-4293.

They may be able to refer you

to a free lawyer for some or all of your case. They cannot find a free lawyer for everyone who calls.

Other important tips for using this guide: • If you are not married but have children, you can still use this information.

• Sometimes lawyers and Judges speak in “legalese.” If you come across a linked word that you don’t understand, click on it. This will take you to the Glossary and a plain English meaning for the word.

(To get back to where you were reading, click on “Back” at the upper left-hand corner of your screen.)

• Call Pine Tree Legal Assistance if you need help with: • Getting food or shelter • Paying for medical care • Public benefits • Housing issues • Escaping domestic violence • If you have more questions about how to do your own divorce or need help with filling out the court forms, call the statewide “Helpline:” Volunteer Lawyers Project Helpline: 1-800-442-4293 http://www.helpmelaw.org/Library/ Index/1390000/1320200/ frame_document?doc_ url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ptla.org%2FDivorce.htm&doc_tit le=Divorce+and+Parental+Rig hts+in+Maine — Courtesy of Help ME Law.

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Internet and with your cash regBriana Collier, coupon queen Q: How many years have you ister receipts. clipped coupons?

Keep those scissors nearby as you go through A: I’ve clipped coupons on and off for the past the newspaper, so you can clip as you go. three years, but really got serious about it last Visit manufacturers and retailers Web sites to summer. download or register for coupons to be sent to you.

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Organize your coupons in the order that you A: I have a 4x6 index card organizer that I’ve shop the store for quicker savings trips. split up by food section in the grocery store ...

Make coupon-clipping and clicking a family breakfast, dinner, baking, dairy/bread, frozen, affair — it’s a great math, budgeting and savings kid, dog, meat/produce, home, health/beauty. It’s lesson for the kids. You can involve them in the easier for me to remember what’s on sale that way. process and let them “earn” the coupon savings in Q: Do you use Internet coupons? from what lieu of an allowance. sites?

Plan an evening out using coupons for restauA: Yes! www.thecouponclippers.com. I look at rants, movies or special events. the Shaw’s sales flyer online on Thursday night Use coupons with shorter expiration dates first and order the coupons that relate to what’s on sale. to stock up on necessary items.

Q: Do you stockpile items because you used a rePlan your families’ menu using coupons or, save ally good coupon deal that required you buy six of money and gas by “ordering-in” for a meal and an item? using a pizza or other delivery-style restaurant A: Yesterday, I bought 7 boxes of Cheerios becoupon. cause I got all 7 of them for $3 (coupons combined Shop on double or triple coupon days and use with the store sale). I know they won’t go bad and manufacturers’ rebates to realize additional savthat my kids will eat them. I stockpile anything ings. that doesn’t go bad, it really saves a lot of money.

Plan your entire family vacation, including Q: Can you give an example of recent savings? transportation, hotels, dining and entertainment A: On last week’s (September 8, 2009) grocery using coupons. bill, I spent $104, and saved $120 (!) ... the savings Use coupons in conjunction with loyalty/frebreakdown: quent shopper cards from your local retailers. $64 on weekly store savings Register on rewards and coupon program Web $35 on manufacturers’ coupons sites to access exclusive “members-only” coupons. $21 on store coupons (those you can find on Maximize savings by using retailer coupons shaws.com, during big event sales (i.e. Back-to-School, Holiin the weekly day, and Seasonal).

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Family 7

Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, October 11, 2009

Protect your family on the Internet

By Will F essenden

M

aine, like much of the nation, has really taken to sites such as FaceBook and Myspace. As of early September, there were 376,000 Mainers on Facebook, and of those, 41,000 listed their age as being 17 or younger. In my professional life, I love the idea that social networking sites provide so many opportunities for targeting messages. As a parent, I am concerned about the type of information our children are putting out there.

If you watched TV in the 60s, 70s or 80s, you may remember the phrase: “It’s 10 p.m. Do you know where your children are?� It was often used in public service announcements on child safety. These days, even if you know your children are in the house, they may still be unsafe. Today’s public service announcement could be: “Do you know who your children are sending instant messages to?�

Most social networking Web sites do a nice job of offering privacy settings which restrict what information can be seen and by whom. However, those safeguards do not relieve parents and guardians of their responsibility to oversee and watch what their children are doing. Like any online use, parents and families should have guidelines as to where and when children should be using the computer.

Computers should be in a room accessible to everyone and use should be limited to certain times of the day. Caregivers should also sign up for and use the same social networking sites as children so they can monitor what’s going on. On FaceBook for example, make it a condition that you are a “friend,� which allows you to see their personal page. You should also review your child’s “friend� list — don’t hesitate to ask them about each “friend� to make sure they know them in real life. Be prepared to block some of them. Also, help children understand that some information should be kept private. They need to understand that once they post information online, it can’t be taken back.

Screen names and passwords should not give away too much information.

Parents should also be checking cell phones. Take a look at what text messages your son

or daughter has been sending.

Since it is common place to access the Internet on cell phones, you may want to consider speaking with your cell phone provider about limits that can be placed on your child’s account.

Some plans limit downloads and can block certain Web sites and texting. Check with your provider to see what is available and discuss the options as a family.

It is also important for parents to consider the information you are posting on your FaceBook

or MySpace page. Have you set your privacy settings so that only family members and close friends can read about your family vacation and see pictures of the children? When it comes to being on the Web, it is important to practice what you preach to your kids.

Gaining momentum and becoming more and more popular are family-friendly social network sites. Famiva.com bills itself as “social network for families� and Familycrossings. com provides safe, family ven-

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ues to share photographs, post profiles, blogs and videos. For parents and caregivers, commily.com is a Web site to “organize family life and connect to their local community.�

To make initial connections, many of the family friendly social networking sites require users to have the e-mail address of those they would like to connect with. While not perfect, this is an added level of security, a deterrent to potential online predators.

Web sites such as FaceBook

and MySpace are here to stay.

While they do provide a great opportunity to share photos and memories with family and friends, it is important to recognize their pitfalls and research sites that are appropriate for your family.

Editor’s note: Will Fessenden is a public relations specialist well-known for talking with Maine small business owners and non-profits about the potential benefits of social networking sites.

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PUMPKIN LAND at HARVEST HILL FARMS

COSTUME DAY SUNDAY OCT. 11

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Bring the Kids in Their Favorite Halloween Costume!

Cash Prizes for Best Costume!

Judging at 1:00pm Get those creative juices flowing and come up with a unique costume for your kids and maybe, just maybe, one of them could be the big winner in this year's contest.

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On Rte. 26, 125 Pigeon Hill Rd

MECHANIC FALLS

998-3259

www.harvesthillfarms.com

8

Family

Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, October 11, 2009

Searching your family tree: Who knows what you’ll find?

Are you the sleuthing kind of person me on that day, would lead to a 40 year who can solve a mystery novel before search through libraries, genealogy cenreading the final chapter? If so, you ters, and surfing the Internet to trace the might want to try your hand in solving names in my family tree. To date, I have the mysteries of genealogy, well known over 3,000 family member names, and as “tracing your family tree.” info from my father’s lineage with the My journey began in 1968, in Berlin, names Marois and Simoneau and from New Hampshire, when I was 14 years my mother’s family names, Clinch and old. It began on a cold winter’s day after Ouellet. a Sunday luncheon at my parents’ home So, how do you start the adventure of with our guests, my paternal aunt Marie creating your own family tree?

(Marois) Valley and my maternal grandGet organized for the journey. Since mother, Leona (Ouellette) Clinch. Being you’ll be gathering lots of information, the eldest members from both sides of think ahead about how you want to remy family, they were cord the information. always willing to share Many genealogy guide memories of the past. On books have forms that this day, I asked them to record the data including remember as far back as family group sheets, famthey could and tell me ily trees and descendant about the many relatives charts. For computer whom I had never met. savvy folks, there’s nothFor the next three ing more rewarding and hours, I was spellbound convenient than using with the information they genealogy software to shared. I learned about log and maintain countan uncle in Canada who less sources of text and was a pig farmer, about photos.

Internet Search Brings a grandfather who was Interview your relaResults – Through a single a blacksmith for a paper tives. Ask any and all Internet search, I was able to mill and a great grandquestions about your find a distant relative who had mother who made woolen family to your parents, written an entire book about goods from a hand opergrandparents, aunts, unmy Clinch side of the family. ated loom. cles, cousins ... anyone!

Pictured is Peter Clinch, the Little did I know that Spend extra time with founder of St. George, New the information told to the eldest members of Brunswick, Canada.

By Dan M arois Freelance Writer

your family. Often, they will have first-hand knowledge of relatives that goes back many years.

Seek out family photos. Put out an all points bulletin to let people know that you are searching for family photos, but don’t be surprised if you find lots of the older photos give no indication of who’s in them. Ask the family elders to help identify the unknown Striking gold with family photos: By searching through photo members. relative’s photos, you may be able to find a one-of-a-kind Surf the Internet. The treasure like this gathering of the Simoneau family in growth in the number of geSherbrooke, Quebec circa1907. Even though an uncle nealogy Web sites has been a of mine had forgotten that he had the photo, he was able boon to family tree research. to identify almost everyone in the picture for my family There are hundreds of Web research. (My uncle, George Marois, is the infant in the sites that allow you to type in front row seated on my paternal grandmother, Anna the name you are researchSimoneau Marois.) ing to find links to information about the name. (It was Powerful Team an online search that identified for Info – Combine a man in New Brunswick, Canthe power of ada who had written a book on Family Tree Maker the Clinch family lineage with software with the dates, records, and photos, cenonline databases of tering on my 4th great grandfaAncestry.com, and ther, Peter Clinch, the founder you’ll find a world of St. George, New Brunswick.) of documents that Perseverance, patience and would previously lots of investigations can be take months to find. A recent search led to this draft part of the satisfying journey registration card for a great uncle. Other searches provide actual documents from the US Census as well as you take while uncovering your church records for baptisms, weddings and funerals. family history.