ELLSWORTH — Award-winning cemetery historian and author Ron Romano, whose new book “Stories from Maine Cemeteries: Lives Cut Short” has recently been featured by Maine media, is recognized as one of Maine’s leading experts on 19th century gravestones, cemetery symbolism and burial landscapes.
During this free presentation at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, Romano will demonstrate how gravestones can unlock family histories through burial customs, monument materials, symbols and epitaphs. Attendees will learn how cemeteries can provide valuable clues for genealogical research while gaining a deeper appreciation for the stories hidden in Maine’s historic burial grounds.
The program is free and open to the public and will take place during the monthly meeting of The Hancock County Genealogical Society at the Ellsworth Public Library. Those wishing to attend virtually may email Charlene Fox Clemons at foxtail10000@yahoo.com to receive a Zoom link.
A native of Portland, Romano is a cemetery historian and tour guide, who serves on two non-profit volunteer boards: the national Association for Gravestone Studies and the local friends of Portland’s historic Eastern Cemetery known as “Spirits Alive.” He’s a frequent lecturer on early gravestones, cemetery landscapes, and Maine’s gravestone makers. He has published a series of papers and four books on those subjects and has led countless visitors through many of Maine’s historic cemeteries. He can be reached via email at roroman@maine.rr.com.