Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-05

effeotual. Marriage records were required
under "A severe penalty, yet they were very
incomplete.
All compilers Of local history in this
State have deplored this lack of data, in
public records, for full genealogies. DR.
North, in his History of Augusta, cx-
cused the lack of fuller genealogies in that
work, because he rccoiled from the ~pry-
ing inquiries he was obliged TO make
into private records some being with
held and others lost DR.. Lapham, IT,
whose diigent toll several towns are in
dcbted for their histories and family gene
alogics, keenly experienced the fatal de-
ticiencies of town records in the matter of
vital statistics. One Of the fullest genoa
logical tables that patient and vexatious
toll ever compiled in this State was that
prepared for the History Of Rockland,
Thomaston and South Thomaston, 80
years ago The prodigious amount of work
put into it. caused By ne want of records,
will never be fully realized, but its useful
ness is growing yearly in public estima
tion. A more constant devotion to truth
and thoroughness Of deatil was never wit
Messed (and rarely a more pathctic) than
that of the learned compiler of that work,
the late Cyrus Eaton of Warren, Who be
ing blind and otherwise infrm, was led
by u little girl about the graveyards of
those towns to gather from the mess COW
cred and fading Inscriptions, the dat. lost
to human memory and which the town
records ought to have shown. 1t was not
until 1891 that the Lcgisl ,turA awoke to
the necessity of better registration laws
Not only history, but the rights If liti-
| gauts; vexed questions Of settlement and
domicile between towns; of rights Of in
heritance; or taxation and the right Of
Suffrage; all are more or less affected by
| the record or o. record Of the statistics.
| Even row the law may not accomplish
the work cffcctually, but it Is a vast i'm
provement. The penalty for neglect of
duty has been raised from 81 TO 500;
and, what is still more promising of sue
cess, the law not only Furnishes the guilty
of neglect, but, like the Chinese laws, il
rewards the virtuous. Those who make
| returns for record are now paid by the
town. Historical societies should watch
the working Of this law and be prepared
to propose any needed changes for its bet
ter enforcement.
Much may be done by this society to en-
courage the preparation for its archives of
biographical sketches Of Kennebec people,
who had marked traits Of character,
though in humble station, and who yet
rendered positive service to the oommuni-
ties in which they lived. There have been
many such in every town whose charact-
ers and life are well worthy of record. 1t
is but truism to say that the best men
and women are not always-and perhaps
not ususlly--the best known nor the
most mcritorious who receive the APP
plausc, the eulogics and the monuments.
| "'Tis not the wild chorus of praise,
Nor chance, nor vet fate,
'Tis the greatness born in him and with him
That makes q man great.
sings Phebe Cary. 1t is not the greatness
of ancestors that can add much to man &
merit. Although it is said that ''blood
will tell, " it often tells, like Hope, "a fit
tering tale" and very disappointing Yet
some people, and their number seems to
be increasing, Yet some people, and their
number seems to be increasing, appear to
expect distinction by reason of some an
cestor prominent for wealth or official
place. This is sign of decsdence 1t Is
too early In the history of New England
for any to wrap themselves in the
lavender Of family name. The early will.
derness conoueror is q better ancestor to
date from than William the Conqueror,
for Maine family. The pungent warn
ing OF the Vermont poet has not yet lost
it's flavor for q New Highlander:
Depend upon it my, snobbsh friend.
| Your family thread you can't ascend
without good reason TO apprehend
/ You NAV find it waxed at the farther end
By some plebian vocation.
The Ak, the fish hook or the hoe in the