Rockport, Maine 

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Rockport, Maine

A Deep-Water Harbor Town

History

Rockport, was settled in 1769. Goose River Village (as it was known until 1852), was originally part of the Megunticook Plantation, incorporated on the 17th of February, 1791, as Camden. Shipbuilding, ice harvesting and the manufacture of lime were important early industries and remnants of the great stone kilns still dot the shoreline. The largest quarry from which the limerock came is now the beautiful 'Lily Pond'.

In 1817, 300 casks of lime were sent to Washington, DC for use building the United States Capitol, which had been damaged by the British during the War of 1812. In 1852, the citizens of Goose River voted to change their village's name to Rockport. On February 25, 1891, Rockport officially split from Camden because of a dispute over the cost of constructing a bridge. The town of Rockport was born and from Camden it took half the population, three quarters of the land, and most importantly the profitable lime and ice industries.

Rockport has a longstanding reputation as an artists' community, with notable artists and art institutions playing a significant role in the town's economic and social life.

Rockport was incorporated on the 25th of August, 1891.

Sailing ships were built here and sent around the world. The men of Rockport went to sea until they married and settled down. West Rockport men were primarily quarry workers and farmers.

Features

It is situated on the coast just east of the intersection of Highways #1 and #90. Its most notable feature is the magnificent, mile long, Rockport Harbour, guarded by Indian Island Light.

The mouth of Goose River, after which the town was once named, is marked by a waterfront park. A granite statue of Andre, the seal made famous by the movie, is a favorite there.

In the interior are Ragged Mountain, Spruce Mountain, Mirror Lake, Grassy Pond, Chickawaukie Pond, and Lily Pond.

Highway #1 now bypasses the town, it's beautiful coast line, tree shade main street and historic downtown area.

Sources

For photocopies of local Birth, Marriage and Death records send $1. and a SASE to Rockport Town Clerk , Box 10, Rockport, ME 04856. 207-236-9648



Maine State Office of Vital Records is no longer offering free Vital Records look ups or $7. copies or $15. certified copies of it's birth, marriage and death certificates. Instead a non-certified copy is available for $25. and a certified copy for $60. An on line lookup is available during a 7 day trial period after which a year of look ups is available for $39. A credit card is required. If you cancel before the 7 days are up there is no charge.

Ancestry.com offers to get a certificate for you and adds a charge of 32.45 to the $60. Maine charges, or $92.45!



Maine State Archives OverviewMaine State Archives is still offering free Vital Records look ups or $7. copies or $15. certified copies of it's birth, marriage and death certificates. Mail to Maine State archives, 84 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333

For births, 1892 to 1922:Maine State Archive Births, or write Maine State Archive, LMA building, 84 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333_0084, 207-287-5795, Hrs Mon-Fri 8:00-11:30 & 12:30-4:00, $7. copies or $15. certified.

For Marriages, 1892 to 2007(except 1967 -1976): Maine State Archive Marriages, or writeMaine State Archives, 84 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333_0084. , 207-287-5795, Hrs Mon-Fri 800-11:30 & 12:30-4:00, $7. copies or $15. certified.

For Deaths, 1960 to 1996:Maine State Archives Deaths or write Maine State Archives, 84 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333_0084. , 207-287-5795, Hrs Mon-Fri 800-11:30 12:30 & 4:00, $7. copies or $15. certified.

For Deaths, 1923-1959: These are only available through the Maine State Office of Vital Records, 11 State House Station, 244 Water St., Augusta, ME 04333_0084. 888-664-9491, Hrs Mon-Fri 8-11:30 12:30-4, $25. a copy or $60. certified . A 3 yr. search. Check to Treasurer of the State of Maine and a long SASE

For Deaths, 1892 to 1922: No on line search. For a 5 year search, write Maine State Archives, 84 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333_0084. 207-287-5795, Hrs Mon-Fri 8-11:30 12:30-4, $7. copies or $15. certified.



For Probate Records send $1. and a SASE and request a photocopy of the 'Petition for Distribution or Administration' or 'Account of Administration' , (whichever is available), for the deceased individual. (Addresses below)

For Deeds of Land send $1. and a SASE and request a photocopy of the record for that individual.

For either of these use the following addresses:

• For 1636-1760 write York County Clerk's Office, Alfred, ME 04002
• For 1760-1827 write Lincoln County Clerk's Office, Wiscasset, ME 04578
• For 1827-1860 write Waldo County Clerk's Office, Belfast, ME 04915
• For 1860-present write Knox County Clerk's Office, Rockland, ME 04841
  Phone 207-594-0422, Fax 207-594-0446, Hours 8-4 Eastern

The Rockport-Camden Historical Society at the Conway House Historical Museum is located on Rt. 1, Elm St., Box 747, Rockport, ME, 04856, 10:-4: Tue.-Fri. in July and August. 207-236-2257, chmuseum@mint.net.

The Rockport Public Library, One Limerock Street, Rockport. ME 04856-0008, can be reached at 207-236-3642, both phone & fax. E-mail them at rpl@rockport.lib.me.us Their hours are Mon.-Sat. 9:-5:30, Wed. 9-8. Their online catalog  can be searched at http://ursus.maine.edu/.

The Camden Area History Center has been renamed the Edward J. Walsh History Center, Heather Bilodeau, Director, and has been relocated to new quarters at the Camden Public Library. It is located on the 2nd Floor, 55 Main Street, Camden, ME 04843 and is open Monday-Saturday 9:30-4:00 and Tuesday evenings until 8:00. The phone is 207-236-3440.

Go to www.librarycamden.org/history-center/about, then click on 'History Center', then 'Search Our Collection' on the left hand side. This will take you to the interactive searchable database. Type in any search word (for example "Babb") and it will pop up all items associated with that term

For queries contact Archivist at the Edward J. Walsh History Center

   Volunteers With Books   

To request a lookup from any of the references, click on the address of the owner and ask them politely. Please make your requests as specific as possible.

• Rockport Coordinator Needed

• Rockport Queries

• Conway House Historical Museum

• Map of Rockport

  • Rockport's Web Page

  • Rockport Chamber of Commerce

  • Midcoast Maine Chamber of Commerce

  • Return to Knox County Genealogy Page

Sena Spear Havasy
KnoxGenWeb Co-ordinator

Most recent revision August 2010

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