ROCKPORT 

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On Line Genealogy Page

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

Rockport's most notable feature is the magnificent, mile long, Rockport Harbour about which the late Charles Kuralt said that if he had 365 days to spend he would spend 364 of them at the beautiful harbor of Rockport, Maine. It is guarded by Indian Island Light. It is situated on the coast just east of the intersection of Highways #1 and #90..

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.

The deep, clear, waters of Lily Pond fill an old lime quarry.

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 contact Rockport Town Clerk , Box 10, Rockport, ME 04856. 207-236-9648. Request a photocopy if available.

This is the closest to the original source but old records, like gold, are very sparse and often, if they exists at all , they will be a secondary source in the form of an entry in a book. For further leads go to

The Camden Area History Center, renamed the Walsh History CenterHeather Bilodeau, Archives Director, has relocated to quarters at the Camden Public Library. It is located on the 2nd Floor, 55 Main Street, Camden, ME 04843 and is open Tue. through Sat., 12:00 to 4:00. The History Center e-mail is archives@librarycamden.org.   Phone: (207) 236-3440      Fax: (207) 236-6673

Go to Walsh History Center, see the column on the right hand side and click on the interactive searchable database. Type in any search word (for example "Directories") and it will pop up all items associated with that term.

For queries contact archives@librarycamden.org

The Town Directories at theRockport Libraryfor years 1942,1950, 1973, 1979, 1980.

Walsh History Center
See the column on the right hand side and click on the interactive searchable database.
Type in any search word (for example "Directories") and it will pop up all items associated with that term.

For Maine State records go to
Cindy's Links to Maine State Records



For Probate Records 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 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/.

For queries contact 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

  • Return to Knox County Genealogy Page

  

  Sena Spear Havasy
  KnoxGenWeb Co-ordinator

  Most recent revision October 2012

  Copyright Notice: All files on this site are copyrighted by their creator. They may be linked to but may not be reproduced on another site without specific permission from Sena Havasy senahav@gmail.com and/or their contributor. Although public information is not in and of itself copyrightable, the format in which they are presented, the notes and comments, etc., are. It is however, quite permissable to print or save the files to a personal computer for personal use ONLY.