Greater Portland Chapter
of the
Maine Genealogical Society
Purpose
The purpose of this chapter is to collect, exchange, preserve and publish genealogical records, related documents and information, and to promote and encourage interest and scholarship in genealogy and family history in the greater Portland area.
Who we are
We are a friendly group of people who meet via Zoom (during COVID) every month (Sept. - June, but not December) on the first Saturday of the month at 1:00. Starting sometime in 2022, we are hoping to be meeting in person again at the First Congregational Church UCC at 301 Cottage Road in South Portland. We'll keep you posted! Meetings are free and open to the public. Please join us for our next meeting!
Events you might like - 2022
January 29, 2022, 1:30pm - Winter Lecture Series from Spirits Alive at Eastern Cemetery
Portland’s Complicity in the Economics of Atlantic World African Enslavement - location TBD
Historian Seth Goldstein will discuss Portland’s complex relationship with Atlantic World African enslavement. Through a deep dive into what was known as “The West Indies Trade” Seth will explain how various commodities like lumber and salt cod, from Maine, were shipped to slave plantations in the Caribbean. In return Maine consumed large quantities of sugar, molasses, rum, and exotic fruits produced by enslaved Africans. Portland, Maine’s largest port and fish export center, was the nexus of this exchange.
February 5, 2022 - GPCMGS monthly meeting
Freeze Frame - GPCMGS Meeting via Zoom
Join us for a talk by our own Star Pelsue. Yearbooks are more than photos and signatures. Let’s look beyond the photo and mascot and learn the information that can be gleaned from the pages of those popular annuals. A lot can be learned from those pages and other school records.