Genealogy at Rice Public Library

Discover your roots in Kittery and beyond

 

Ancestry logo

 

Ancestry.com

Ancestry Library Edition is available for use at the library. The public is welcome to use any of our computers to access Ancestry any time the library is open.  


 

 

The Maine Room

The Maine Room is open for office hours from 1-3 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. The public is welcome to meet with Library Assistant, Asher Littlefield, and access the collection.

 

Otherwise, the Maine Room remains closed to the public. Staff may retrieve items for patrons to use in the library on a case-by-case basis. 



The Maine Room is the library's local history and genealogy room. Inside, you will find records, books, photographs, and other artifacts relating to Kittery and Seacoast history. 

 

Many of these materials are antique and irreplaceable. In order to safeguard these items, we have the following measures in place:

  • No backpacks, large purses or other bags are allowed inside. 
  • No pens are allowed inside. Please take notes in pencil only. You can also bring a laptop or tablet along with you.
  • Nothing in the Maine Room leaves the library. If you have specific books you're looking for, a staff member can retrieve them for you to use elsewhere in the building. You can also bring materials to the copier on the main floor.
  • Security cameras are in use (as they are throughout the library.) 
  • If you live out of town and are unable to come into the library, there is a flat fee of $10 to have materials copied and shipped. We can also scan and email documents to you.
  • There is no dedicated genealogist on staff. While we can locate records and answer some questions, we cannot do extensive research for you. However, we are happy to help you with as much as we can. Please call us if you would like additional help, and you can visit during office hours or set up an appointment.


 

 

 

Old Kittery and Her Families

A 1903 history of town written by Everett S. Stackpole, digitized in full by the Internet Archive in 2007. Read the complete book for free.

https://archive.org/details/oldkitteryherfam00staciala/page/n5/mode/2up

 

Kittery Cemeteries

A PDF map and directory of all Kittery and Kittery Point burial grounds, including the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the Isles of Shoals. Compiled by Gary Beers for Kittery Naval & Historical Museum in 2018.

 

 

Complete directory (Excel spreadsheet- use the tabs at the bottom to search a specific cemetery.) Includes all markers and inscriptions.

 

 

Maine Memory Network

An online archive of photographs, documents, maps and virtual exhibits created by the Maine Historical Society.

 

Cyndi's List

A comprehensive guide to genealogical websites from all around the world. 

 

Maine State Archives 

The online catalog for the state government archives, dating back to the 1630s. Military records through World War I, land deeds, prison records, and war correspondences are included in this collection. Be aware not every record will be scanned and visible online.

 

Digital Maine Repository

Online exhibits with historic photographs, maps, and newspapers from across the state. clicking 'selections from Maine communities' will show artifacts by town.

 

 

National Archives

The National Archives has several pages to help with genealogy research:

-Census records

-Immigration and naturalization

-Military service (by branch)

-Online research tools from the Archives

 

 

Kittery at the Turn of the Last Century: A Roadmap

 

A new virtual postcard exhibit is available on the Kittry 375th website all year long. The interactive page features 46 historic postcards from the library's collection, which together tell the story of over a dozen local points of interest where Kittery's past is being preserved. 

Be sure and check out our Facecbook page for more historic postcards and the stories behind them. 

 

View the exhibit on The Kittery 375 Celebration webpage.