Students in Ms. Linden’s and Mrs. Snow’s Thomaston Grammar School fifth grade, under the direction of Mrs. Marie Sprague of Cushing, have been learning about their family histories.

Mrs. Sprague, a local expert Genealogist and author of many books on local ancestries, visited the classroom to share her experience, knowledge, and research skills. Kids learned about records such as draft cards, birth & death certificates, census, marriage & baptismal documents, and obituaries. They worked directly with Mrs. Sprague to find their own linages, some as far back as six generations.

After instruction on correct formatting, students typed their pedigree names using the standard numbering system. Once printed, names were cut and pasted onto large, gridded poster board. The results were beautifully created pedigrees along with much new information about how genealogy is studied.

While reflecting upon the project, students were asked, “What did you learn?” Here are some of their responses:

 “You might find where you come from and where your ancestors are born.” - MJ
 “You can learn so much about your family.” – Lydia
 “One of my relatives died right before (the year) 2000.” – Emma
 “I learned about obituaries.” – Rhys
 “I learned a lot about my family! I’m very happy and grateful!” – Charlie
 “Even though some people had missing information, those people were still there long ago.” – Greta
 “You can learn where your family came from.” – Isabella
 “I learned how to use the numbers. Even numbers are male and odd are female.” - Sophia
 “I learned how far back you can go. I have a question for you, how far back to YOU go? – Legare’
 “Double check resources and match names. Names sometimes get changed.

Learn to decipher handwriting.” – Mrs. Snow