DEAR SUN SPOTS: Sun Spots is one of the most useful newspaper columns ever in so many different ways. I came across some old photos recently, and I just identified the people. They are Beulah Tracy Gough, her husband, Herbert William Gough, and his brother, Alfred Gough, all of whom lived in Auburn. The dates indicate the pictures are from 1915-16. I didn’t find any Goughs listed in the phone book, but maybe someone out there is related under a different name and would like the pictures.

I have a second question. Newspapers used to have librarians who maintained files on people, places and events. I know this position no longer exists, but what happened to those paper files? I can read the paper at the library using microfilm, but without an indexing system, it can be a horror story (excuse the pun) to find relevant information. Can you help me with this?

Thanks and, again, your column performs a very special service for all of us. — Gloria Moreau, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots put your question about the Sun Journal’s records to Judy Meyer, the daytime managing editor. This is her response:

“We have very limited files on paper, and they’re not accessible to the public. If there’s a specific event or person she wants us to research, we’d be happy to take a look, but our files are kept almost exclusively on microfiche now. Google has indexed much of our microfiche records back to 1861, and they’re available free and online and they’re searchable! Check it out at http://tinyurl.com/2br6yqr.”

Hopefully this new service from Google will help you with your research. If you still need something looked up, you can e-mail Judy at jmeyer@sunjournal.com.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We have about eight large boxes (probably about 300 to 400 total ) of old trophies in all sorts of sizes. There are bowling, pageants, dance, soccer, karate, etc. We are looking for a place to donate them.

We have taken all the plaques off them, but they are dusty and need a good wipe down as they have been stored in the basement. Anyone wanting them may contact us at 783-8472. We are in Auburn and also can deliver. Thank you. — Stephanie Bernatchez

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for someone who is bilingual and can help me interpret the back of a photo that was among my mother’s things and given to me when she passed on. I’m hoping a translation will help me to determine who the person in the photo is as well. I believe the language is French-Canadian, but I am not positive. I can send a copy of the back of the photo. I sure would appreciate any help I can get. Thank you so much. — Linda Carter, 112 Thompson-Walton Court Apt. 11, Farmington, ME 04938

ANSWER: There are websites where you can enter the words from the back of the picture and get a translation. One of them is www.freetranslation.com. If you’re not online, you can visit your local library for assistance.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Fairbanks School in Farmington, built in 1895, was a vibrant school, grades K through 5 with lots of activity. The school closed when Farmington became a school district. The school was also used as a business until it burned in 1998.

Since 2000, the school has been in a rebuilding mode. Now we have completed this beautiful building. It is a community center, open to the public. The Fairbanks School Neighborhood Association wishes to invite all people who attended the school to a reunion on Aug. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 508 Fairbanks Road in Farmington. There will be a display of pictures and memorabilia from the Fairbanks School Days. Refreshment will be served.

If you have any pictures or memorabilia you would like to share, and if you plan to attend the reunion, we would like to hear from you. Please contact Gene Ranger at 778-3626 or Cindy Barker Kemble at 778-3808. — Cynthia Kemble, kemble@maine.edu

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). Please include your phone number. 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 e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.