Old Kittery and Her Families - Historical Genealogy

In this review of Old Kittery and Her Families the reviewer finds a focused, archival reprint that will appeal to local historians and genealogists seeking primary-source narratives and family notes. The book, a classic reprint by Everett Schermerhorn Stackpole, compiles material that had been laid aside after the author's death and later resumed with encouragement from Governor Hill, and it delivers dense historical narrative and genealogical annotations suited to research rather than casual reading. The single biggest reason to buy is its value as a reference document that collects family histories and footnoted sources in one accessible volume.

Key Features

• Historical narrative: The book reproduces the author's account of old Kittery and its families, offering a continuous local history useful for contextual research.
• Genealogical notes: The work includes genealogical notes and foot notes that point readers to the primary sources used, aiding further investigation.
• Editorial continuity: The author resumed his history after a pause, so the text combines original research with later completion for a more comprehensive account.
• Research-focused format: As a classic reprint, it preserves the original structure and tone, making it suitable for reference use in libraries or family-history studies.
• Attribution of helpers: The many contributors and helpers are specifically acknowledged, which helps readers trace the provenance of information.

Who It's For

This edition is best for genealogists, local historians, librarians, and descendants researching Kittery families who need detailed narrative and source pointers. The book's genealogical notes and foot notes make it particularly useful as a starting point for archival follow-up or for compiling family trees tied to this region.

It is less appropriate for readers looking for a modern, interpretive history with contemporary commentary or annotated analysis; those audiences should look for works that synthesize newer scholarship rather than a faithful reprint of the original account.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Preserves an original local history narrative that is valuable to researchers seeking period language and structure.
• Contains genealogical notes and foot notes that identify sources and contributors, aiding verification.
• Compiled and resumed with editorial intent, offering a more complete picture than the unfinished material alone.

Cons

• The reprint format favors preservation over modern editorial commentary, so contemporary readers may find limited interpretive guidance.

Specifications

Title	Old Kittery and Her Families (Classic Reprint)
Author / Editor	Everett Schermerhorn Stackpole
Content type	Historical narrative with genealogical notes and foot notes
Edition	Classic reprint of the original work resumed by the author
Scope	History of old Kittery and family genealogies
Source material	Original author material resumed after a pause; contributors indicated in notes

Our Verdict

Old Kittery and Her Families is a solid reference reprint for anyone tracing lineage or studying local history; its genealogical notes and documented sources make it good value for research libraries and family historians who need a faithful presentation of the original work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this edition include source citations?
Yes. The reprint contains foot notes and genealogical notes that point to the sources and indicate contributors.

Is it suitable for casual reading?
Not primarily; the book is research-focused and best used as a reference rather than light narrative reading.

Who completed the work after it was laid aside?
The author resumed the history a few years after pausing, encouraged by Governor Hill, and the text notes the many helpers involved.