A Piece of 1931 Kennebunk History: Help Reunite This High School Certificate with the McConnell Family - Chester Cecil McConnell
- Amy Atkin
- Jul 12
- 2 min read
We recently found a piece of New England history: a beautifully preserved 1931 Certificate of Promotion to High School, awarded to Chester Cecil McConnell by the Kennebunk Public Schools. Dated June 5, 1931, and signed by both Chester’s teacher and the superintendent. This large, ornate certificate marks a significant academic milestone—a young student’s passage from grammar school into high school.
But this isn’t just a piece of paper. It’s a fragment of someone’s family story.
Who Was Chester Cecil McConnell?
Chester was born on March 1, 1914, in Maine to Cecil and Ora Belle McConnell. Chester made his life across several New England states, including Maine, Connecticut, and Vermont, and had at least four children.
Chester went on to serve in World War II, and in 1947, he married Sophie Kaledin. After the war, Chester lived in Connecticut, where he passed away on May 8, 1977. He and Sophie are both buried in Maine, bringing their journey full circle back to the state where it all began.
Why This Document Matters
In an age where digital records dominate, there’s something profoundly human about holding a nearly 95-year-old certificate, carefully signed in pencil, and knowing it once belonged to a real person. It tells us not just about Chester, but about the era he lived in—its educational values, the pride in academic progression, and the care communities took in marking milestones.
Seeking McConnell Descendants
I'd love to see this certificate returned to a direct descendant of Chester Cecil McConnell—perhaps a family member who never knew it existed. If you are part of the McConnell family or know someone who might be, please reach out. This document deserves to be back with the people who can best appreciate its legacy.
What You Can Do
Share this post on local history forums, genealogy groups, or with anyone connected to Kennebunk, Maine.
Contact me if you have any leads or if you’re part of the McConnell lineage or if you have information about Chester, his siblings, or their descendants.
Let’s bring this small but meaningful piece of family—and community—history back where it belongs.
Because sometimes, the past still has something left to give. 🕰️📜
Comments