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Maine Research Outline |
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Table of Contents
Records Of The Family History Library
Family History Library Catalog
Archives And Libraries
Bible Records
Biography
Cemeteries
Census
Church Records
Court Records
Directories
Emigration And Immigration
Gazetteers
Genealogy
History
Land And Property
Maps
Military Records
Naturalization And Citizenship
Newspapers
Periodicals
Probate Records
Societies
Taxation
Town Records
Vital Records
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions
PROBATE RECORDS Probate records An excellent source of transcripts Sargent, William M. Maine Wills, 1640-1760. 1887, Reprint. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1972. (FHL book 974.1 P2s 1972; computer number 224938; 1887 ed. on film 599180; fiche 6046701; computer number 174066.)
An index to wills and other probate records from 1687 to 1800 is:
Frost, John E. Maine Probate Abstracts. 2 vols. Camden, Maine: Picton Press, 1991. (FHL book 974.1 P2f; computer number 613828; the 1986-88 edition is on 10 fiche beginning with 6332995; computer number 455310; not available at Family History Centers.) This comprises abstracts of many records of the probate courts of Maine, whether of wills, administrations, estate divisions, estate accounts, guardianships, or other court actions. Microfiche copies are also available at the Maine Historical Library and the New England Historic Genealogical Society. An index of every name is at the end of volume 2.
To find information about Maine genealogical
Tax records were recorded by state and town officials. Many tax lists are included in town histories. Because Maine was part of Massachusetts until 1820, some Maine tax records will also be listed in the Family History Library Catalog under Massachusetts. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of Massachusetts tax valuations for various years from 1760 to 1771, 1780 to 1792, and 1810 to 1811. They are listed in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under MASSACHUSETTS - TAXATION. Other tax records are listed in the Family History Library Locality Search under MAINE, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - TOWN RECORDS.
The 1771 lists have been published in:
Pruitt, Bettye Hobbs, ed. The Massachusetts Tax Valuation List of 1771. Boston: G. K. Hall, 1978. (FHL book Q 974.4 R4m; computer number 85052.) This source lists the owner's name, property and buildings, real estate values, type of acreage, and livestock or produce. Includes an index.
The federal government required some tax assessments. The following work contains a 1798 direct tax census and surname index:
United States. Secretary of the Treasury. Massachusetts and Maine Direct Tax Census of 1798. Cambridge, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1978. (FHL films 940072-89; computer number 211511; not available at Family History Centers.)
The original 1798 tax records are at the New England Historic Genealogical Society. These are described but not indexed in:
Gorn, Michael H., ed. An Index and Guide to the Microfilm Edition of the Massachusetts and Maine Direct Tax Census of 1798. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1979. (FHL book 974 R42i; computer number 300981.)
The Internal Revenue Act of 1 July 1862 was intended to provide revenue to support the government and help pay the national debt. The 1862 to 1866 tax assessment lists for Maine are at the National Archives—New England Region and at the Family History Library. See:
United States. Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Internal Revenue Assessment Lists for Maine, 1862- 1866. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1970. (FHL films 1534403-17; computer number 463740.) This source lists name of person taxed and residence. It may also list occupation and type of tax.
In New England the town clerk Town records may contain records of births, marriages, burials, cemeteries, appointments, earmarks The Family History Library has microfilm copies of most of the town records that contain vital records. Town records are also found at the Maine State Archives and at the offices of the town clerks. A list of the town records at the Maine State Archives is in Public Record Repositories in Maine (see the “Archives and Libraries” section of this outline). To access town records, use the Family History Library Catalog Locality Search under MAINE, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - TOWN RECORDS.
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of Maine are kept by the register of probate or the clerk of the probate court in each county. The records generally date from the year a county was formed. You can obtain copies of the original probate records by contacting the appropriate clerk's office. The addresses are listed in the Genealogist's Handbook for New England Research (see the “For Further Reading” section of this outline). The probate records include wills, depositions, administrations, guardianships, inventories, and accounts.
of early wills is:
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SOCIETIES
and historical societies with records and services that will help with your research, see the “Archives and Libraries,” “Church Records,” and “Periodicals” sections of this outline. Many counties also have local historical and genealogical societies. You can find local society addresses by using Lindberg, Marcia Wiswall, "Genealogist's Handbook for New England Research" (see the “For Further Reading Section” of this outline).
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TAXATION
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TOWN RECORDS
is the principal local record keeper. The earliest records are called proprietors' records. Town records generally begin with the founding of a town and are kept to the present.
, estrays (stray animals), freemen's oaths (men eligible to vote), land, mortgages, name changes, care of the poor, schools, surveys, tax lists, town meeting minutes, voter registrations, and “warnings out” (of town).
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Version of Data: 6/9/2001]