Deer Isle 1885
My name is Bob
Jenkins and I am the county
coordinator for Hancock County.
We have many genealogical resources
available here.
We would appreciate
any contributions you would like to
make to this site.
Hancock County, Maine
Nestled along Maine’s Downeast coast, Hancock County was carved from Lincoln County on June 25, 1789, and named in honor of John Hancock, the first governor of Massachusetts and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Its formation reflected the growing population and geographic distance from earlier county seats, as settlers pushed eastward into Maine’s frontier.
The county encompasses a dramatic landscape of rocky coastline, dense forests, and island communities, including Mount Desert Island, home to Acadia National Park—the only national park in New England. Other notable islands include Deer Isle and Swans Island, each with deep maritime roots.
Early towns like Castine, the original county seat, played pivotal roles in colonial and Revolutionary War history. In 1838, the county seat moved inland to Ellsworth, which remains the administrative center today.
Hancock County’s economy and culture have long been shaped by shipbuilding, fishing, lumbering, and tourism, with generations of families tied to these trades. Its population has grown steadily since the 18th century, reflecting waves of migration, economic shifts, and the enduring draw of its natural beauty.
