Dear Sun Spots: I’m hoping someone in your area can help me identify a family who may have lived there in the early 1900s. I have a 1909 painting by D.D. Coombs of Mrs. Edgar Deering and her son George at perhaps the age of 9 or less. The family name is all over southern Maine and I can’t locate a George or Edgar whose dates fit the painting. It took me 20 years to put the names to the painting and I still don’t know who they were or her first name. I would also like a photo of the painting of Edgar that was done at the same time if anybody has it. I’ll trade it for a photo of my painting. Please contact me at hversteg@yahoo.com or by phone in Augusta at (207) 623-3793. – Harvey Versteeg, Augusta.
Answer: Sun Spots recommends you contact the Bates College Museum of Art directly at (207) 786-6158. You may also want to check with the college library for more detailed information on Coombs. In the meantime, you may be interested in noting that Delbert Dana Coombs was born in Lisbon Falls, July 26, 1850. He was primarily self-taught and took painting lessons from Scott Leighton, an animal painter. He studied landscapes with Harrison Bird Brown. Coombs painted actively for over 50 years and his subjects included portraits, landscapes, and cattle. He also had a studio in Boston for several winters but his major work was pursued in Maine. He gave lessons in painting in Lisbon for 25 years.
Dear Sun Spots: Sunday, March 30, on the History Channel there was a program called “Greatest Raids – Lawrence of Arabia.” I did not get the toll-free number or address. Could you please locate it for me? – Theresa Stasick, Lewiston.
Answer: Try contacting the History Channel online at Historychannel.com. They are selling “The Adventures of Lawrence of Arabia: Greatest Raids.” A one-volume set of 50 minutes sells for $24.95. The film draws upon the accounts by American journalist Lowell Thomas, who helped to create the legend of Lawrence of Arabia, and reveals the story behind the myth and follows T.E. Lawrence’s real wartime exploits. You can also order it by calling (888) 423-1212.
Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for information about a Goodwin family to complete a family tree. I am looking for descendants of a William Goodwin, I believe, who was from the Rumford area and whose ancestors came from Baldwin Road, Prince Edward Island, Canada. His father was Raymond Goodwin. G-father was Phillip Goodwin, G-mother was Caroline Mooney. Any information would be appreciated. I can be reached at go1do1@aol.com. – Harold Goodwin, Ontario, Canada.
Answer: In addition to responses from readers, you may want to contact The Rumford Historical Society, which maintains the Lufkin Museum located at Rumford Center. The museum displays artifacts from Rumford and surrounding areas and was opened in 1976. The Historical Society archives are in the Municipal Building. The archives contain newspapers, photographs, cemetery records and other historical materials. It is open to the public for research every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Lufkin Museum is open during summer months, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 3 p.m. You can try contacting them through Myrtle McKenna, Secretary, Municipal Building, Rumford, ME 04276, (207) 364-8455
This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Inform Us section under Press Release.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Comments are no longer available on this story