We collect and uncover the migration stories from the North of Ireland through genealogy, public outreach, archaeology, and research.
The Ulster-Scots story in Maine and their influence on New England has been greatly overlooked and oversimplified by traditional historical narratives. U.S. census data 2020 confirms that Maine has, per capita, the highest percentage of self-identified Scottish and Scots-Irish descendants in the entire USA.
Our mission is to promote awareness of Maine’s Scots-Irish heritage and to gather, save, and share the stories of Maine’s Scotch-Irish families.
We are saddened by the news of Linda Bean’s passing. Linda was many things to many people. She was a champion of Maine’s hard working people, a lover of Maine’s natural environment, and an ardent researcher and admirer of her Maine ancestors. It was in her role as a family genealogist and advocate for the preservation of historic sites that brought her to become a friend and supporter of our work at MUSP.
Linda’s family history weaves itself though much of New England’s history and she was particularly inspired by the grit and determination of her Scottish and Ulster-Scots roots. The name Bean was handed down through her family from a Highland prisoner captured at the 1650-51 battles of Dunbar and Worcester. John Bean was subsequently deported to Massachusetts where he was sold into servitude. Linda’s Ulster-Scots connections can be traced back to the earliest emigration from Ulster to Maine in 1718.
We send our deep condolences to Linda’s family and to the entire State of Maine which has lost a staunch and redoubtable advocate for all that is the best of Maine.
CURRENT ARCHEALOGY PROJECT
The Ulster-Scots ‘Means’ homestead story gets a fresh look and finding the Jacob Anderson Garrison or Block-house on Lower Flying Point, Freeport, Maine
