We finally made it. The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce web site is up and running. I would appreciate it if you would add our URL (www.dovernh.org) to the listing for our chamber. Keep up the good work.
Jack Story, Chamber Director

Editor's Reply: That makes five out of six area chambers linked to our page in the BUSINESS section. Congrats. JDR

I hope you will be able to assist me. I am trying to find some information about the German U-Boat,U-805, that surrendered on 14 Apr 1945 near Portsmouth. Is there a newspaper in the area that would have archives covering this time? A friend living in Australia is searching for information on his father, Chief Petty Officer Ulmer, who served on this U-Boat. I am in Florida.
Fred Christoffer

Editor's Reply: The Portsmouth Public Library has a scrapbook of clippings from the Portsmouth Herald on the U-boat event, but the library has no e-mail address. You can call the reference desk at 603-427-1540. The Herald files are not indexed, but the library staff has assembled their own collection of articles. JDR

I just found out about your web site from a free local paper out of Kingston and had to have a look. Boy, am I glad I did! What a lot of interesting reading about our beloved small seacoast area. I remember many times as a child having picnics at Hampton Beach and as a teen-ager having a great time at the Frolics. What memories. This has become one of my favorite places.
Thanks a million!
Susan

I am part of a party of three who hope to sail to the Isles of Shoals and I would like more information about where to stay overnight. Is it necessary to book a room or two at the Star Corporation Hotel or is there a place to camp?
hickboat@thecia.net

Editor's Reply: To my knowledge, there is no place to stay except at Star with advance reservations to one of their conferences. The very limited access to the Shoals is what keeps it unchanged. The former Gosport Harbor is a beautiful place to anchor for the day, but for stop-off hotels you may wish to try neighbor islands in Maine at Chebeague, Monhegan (click here for new column) or Vinylhaven. In a pinch, you can relax at home reading our Isles of Shoals Web Site.

I am Japanese, and U.S.Naval institute member, and I like Navy ships and aircraft. I'm sorry but I'm poor English letter writer. I'm collecting book, brochures photo and many information, take a photo, visit base and ship, study any more. I'm interesting in Navy, Coast Guard, ships, naval vessels, passenger ship, merchant ship fishing boat, and other many ships. Also ship repair, shipping, shipbuilding, shipyard, works, base, harbor, ocean. Now. if you have any more information, picture postcards of ships and aircraft, photos, detail of yard, base, fleet list, deck plan, cruising guidebook, history book, voyage schedule, time table, ocean area map, catalog, book list, any guide books, and other brochures. I would appreciate if you could send me some. I'm sorry to trouble you. I ask you to answer my letter please for me.
Sincerely, Mitsuhiro Kadota
5-13 Ebara 6-chpme
Shinagawa-ku Tokyo
142 Japan

Editor's Reply to Our Readers: We have referred Mr. Kadota to the superb collection of maritime books by the Portsmouth Marine Society. But perhaps you can offer him even more for his collection. We've included his mailing address for those who can send along a few items via snail mail. JDR

Hello - I just ran across this WEB page and am very interested in the document 123 which mentions the eccentric Josiah Shackford - His Unparallelled Feat of crossing the Atlantic alone-The Founder of Portsmouth, Ohio. I'm in the Air Force and am presently stationed at Yokota AB, Japan.
Joanne Shackford Parkes

Editor's Reply: Oh, you mean Brewster's Rambles! I had to Search our 500 pages for the Shackford reference. Your ancestor was, according to Brewster, a very eccentric guy. (Brewster actually uses the word "insane.") He loved Portsmouth, but didn't much like his wife, so he bought land in Ohio and built his own city of Portsmouth, leaving her in the Seacoast. We can arange to get you a copy of the essay from the 1800s which is now out of print. JDR

I enjoyed reading your Brewster web page. I was particularly interested to see that he wrote about some of my ancestors, but unfortunately that article was not on the site. I am eager to obtain a copy of "A Step over the River--The Celebrities of Kittery in the Former Days--The Spinney Family." Please advise me of its availability and cost.
Thank you very much,
Jean Brown

Editor's Reply: Brewster's Rambles containing 143 essays about Portsmouth history was published in two volumes in 1869. It was reprinted in 1971 by NH Publishing, but I understand that edition is also sold out via Picton Press in Rockport, Maine. We only have a few essays on-line so far, but for a diddly fee we will Xerox a chapter for you, or you can check local used bookstores which often have a Brewster set for about $100. The Picton e-mail address is picton@midcoat.com. Tell them we sent you. JDR

My husband and I will be attending an Elderhostel in October in your area. Could you send a map and events that will be happening during October.
Shalom, Beverly of Gresham, OR

Editor's Reply: As always, your letters are forwarded to all appropriate on-line chambers of commerce. As for maps, you just click from our home page for the best list of Things to Do in the entire area. JDR

Your site is really fine. A lot of thought went into it, I'm sure. I especially enjoy the photo galleries. I wonder if you could e-mail me the names of shops where I might where I might find some of those prints available for sale?
Neil McGhee

Editor's Reply: Sorry, most of the photos in our exculsive galleries are unavailable for sale in print form, but we will gladly put you in touch with any of the photographers directly. Peter Randall's Isles of Shoals images are from his book "Out On the Shoals" and can be purchased in our on-line Seacoast Store. Also check out our poster collection by Rob Karosis under Gifts in the on-line store. Yes, we take credit cards and are on a secure server. JDR

I understand that there is a historic house in the Bartlett family in Kingston, NH. Do you have any information on this place?
Harryjf@aol.com

Editor's Reply: According to the Natasha at the Nichols Memorial Library in Kingston, the Bartlett family home is still privately owned by one of the last direct descendants of Josiah and Mary, but is not open to the public. You can reach the library at www.angelfire.com/nh/nicholslibrary or e-mail Natasha at library@nh.ultranet.com

Added note: Our expert Blaine Whipple notes that a key Bartlett source is: Frank C. Mevers, editor, "The Papers of Josiah Bartlett," 1979. The New Hampshire Historical Society has 7 reels of microfilm on "The Papers of Josiah Bartlett." Letters from Dr. Thornton while a delegate will be found: Edmund C. Burnett, editor, "Letters of Members of the Continental Congress." This multi volume set should be among the holdings of the Portsmouth city library.

Do you publish/have available statistical information concerning the Portsmouth N.H. public school system (eg. test scores; curricula/extra-curricula activities; list of colleges graduating seniors will attend, etc.)? I would be very interested in reading about the school system as I may be relocating my family to your beautiful city.
Peter R. Reif
Chesapeake, VA

Editor's Reply: Sounds like a job for the NH State Dept of Education which you can reach by calling 603-271-3144 for the commissioner, or 271-3494 for the Dept of Education. Our reference sources could not find published statistics on the local school system. NH is known for its minimal state support of its schools which are largely funded by local propoerty taxes. You night try the local superintendent of schools at 431-5080. JDR

I am planning to go to Hampton Beach this summer with my family. I am looking for a hotel or cottage to accomidate nine people. Can you help me?
Nancy

Editor's Reply: We've forwared your letter to the local chamber, and after you check our LODGING directory for Hampton, check out the luxury accomodations at Hunter's Run.

I am very impressed with your Website. I am related to the Robert Cutt family and therefore indirectly to your first "President," John Cutt, and to Gen. William Whipple, who signed the Declaration of Independence and whose mother was Mary Cutt, daughter of Robert Cutt II. I am researching William Whipple and his experience at the Battles of Saratoga. He is a distant cousin to me through the Robert Cutt family. Bridget Cutt, Robert II's sister, is my direct ancestor through the Brockintons and Screvens of Charleston, S.C. Do you have any genealogy of the William Screven family? He had a grandaughter named Elizabeth Screven who married James Fowler in SC, and their daughter Martha Screven Fowler married my direct ancestor Captain John Brockinton. But I don't know the direct connection between that Elizabeth and Rev. William S. I have gotten a lot of info on William Whipple on the net and from various encyclopedias, and am reading Hawke's book about the signers of the Declaration, which had several anecdotes and a three-page profile of William.
Bob Boyd

Reply from Blain Whipple: Sorry, but I can't help you with the William Screven family. I presume you are aware of the Cutts genealogy published in the early 1900s. If not, while in Portsmouth you will want to find and puruse a copy. I imagine it is available at the city library or the Anthaeneum. If not, the state hisorical library at Concord should have a copy as should the New England Historic Genealogical Society at 101 Newbury St., Boston. While in Portsmouth, be sure to drive to Kittery to visit what is known today as the Whipple House, birthplace of General William Whipple. I believe it was built by Robert Cutt II and was bequeathed by him to his daughter Mary, wife of Capt. William and mother of Gen. William Whipple. The DAR placed a plaque, noting it as the birthplace of General Whipple, on it early this century. You will also want to visit the old Kittery Cemetery where a number of Cutts are buried, including Robert Cutt II.

I am interested in finding out about a program similar to Big Sister, but keeping it local. Are there organizations around here?
Eileen

Editor's Reply: Yup. Big Brothers-Big Sisters is in Exeter at 603-778-0277.

I have just looked at your Endeavour page. Thank you for the very flattering use of a link to my Cook site. I would STRONGLY suggest, as this is very relvant for your subject, that you also add the following link: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/interactive/VRendeavour" This is a new Virtual Endeavour site at the British Natural History Museum. It requires the Shockwave and QuickTime plugins to be viewed, but it is well worth it! I am originally from Boston...so it is nice to help a fellow New Englander!
Kind regards,
Mark Winthrop
Copenhagen Denmark
http://www.image.dk/~winthrop

Editor's Reply: You got it, and remember, we released the tall ship Endeavour scoop before any other medium in the Seacoast. If you missed the story, click here for details.

I checked your website and was very impressed. Its nice to see some really good things going on in NH. I am been a big Internet booster especially within state government and the library community. We have several projects under way here. The biggest of them is the Library and Archives of New Hampshire's Political Tradition. The focus is on the primary and other political races in NH. Keep up the great work!
Ken Wiggin, NH State Librarian

Can you send me web addresses of realtors in seacoat NH area? Do they have listings of homes with descriptions on the web? Are there any regulations regarding the number of cats a homeowner can have?
Janet Kirkland

Editor's Reply: Due to the flood of similar letters (about realtors, not cats) following the MONEY Magazine article referencing our site, we are working hard on a links list for you all. Meanwhile, e-mail us for a short list of realtors we know. We've not yet found a Secoast feline population ordinance, but expect it will be recorded at City Hall under "excessive littering." JDR

I've only recently discovered your very excellent page. However, I was reviewing your list of "Seacoast Women," and I noticed that you have omitted one of the most prominent of them all, Jane Means APPLETON. A short, short sketch can be seen on her at: http://www.hampton.lib.nh.us/genealog/d0000/g0000005.htm#I88

I know of no other on-line article about her, but she was a very wealthy, well-educated, and interesting woman. Further, her connection to royalty makes her a rarity among women of your area.
Dick Marston
Glendale, CA

Editor's Reply: No rarity. She sounds like all the women I know around here. We'll be putting up more historic women profiles as we find corporate advertisers. Don't miss our modern Seacoast Women Photo Gallery by Frank Clarkson, just up this month.

Hello from Annapolis MD. I am much impressed with your site and appreciative of the link. We are in the process of overhauling the U.S. Naval Institute site. The Naval Institute Press currently lists several books that may be of interest to your visitors, including John Paul Jones: America's Sailor, by Clara Ann Simmons, which is a Naval Institute Book for Young Readers. You can view a description of this title at the following URL: http://www.usni.org/press/155750833x.htm
Matt Brook
Electronic Projects Editor
U.S. Naval Institute

Great site - I've now linked to it - will add more material as JPJ served in the Russian navy same period as Samuel Greig, from this area, Brit officers who were serving were furious that the Russians had employed JPJ.
Michael Dun

Do you have any listing for the various movie theaters in the area, and what is playing at them?
ihersom@aol.com

Editor's Reply. The beauty of the web is that when a colleague does something better, you just link to him. For movies, better see Port City Online. But don't miss our Portfolio Calendar every month in the ARTS section.