LEWISTON – The Maine-Franco-American Genealogical Society celebrated its 25th anniversary on Oct. 15 when speakers were Auburn Mayor Normand Guay, Lewiston Mayor Lionel Guay and Sen. Peggy Rotundo.

Normand Guay said he was proud of his French heritage. He said the French families of generations past retained French as their language, but today’s youth does not. He congratulated the society for its 25 years of preserving Franco history.

Guay’s brother, Lionel, said he, too, was a Franco-American whose family resettled to Lewiston from Canada to seek a better life. He told the congregation that Lewiston-Auburn had the largest population of Franco-Americans in Maine and how fitting it is that the genealogical library is located in the Twin Cities.

In closing, he thanked and congratulated everyone who volunteered their time, effort and talent in making the society and Father Begin’s lifelong dream a reality.

Rotundo said she was honored to present the society a “sentiment” from the Legislature on its 25th anniversary. The sentiment was presented to society President Gary Girouard.