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The Gammells lived on Water Street, Ashburnham, MA for several generations, coming originally from Quebec, Canada. Some settled in Augusta, Maine for a few years before moving on to MA. Joseph Duhammel came to West Boylston, MA around 1840, at which time he changed his name to Gammell to sound a little less foreign. From that time, there is evidence that many family members continued to use the Duhammel name, whereas others used the Gammell name. In some cases, they used both. I have information that Joseph Duhammel (born of Joseph Duhamel & Marie Dussau) married Lucy Vandale (Lucie Vandal). Her family dates back to Etienne Vandal who was born around 1655 in Vernantes, France. Etienne was the first generation I found born in France. The subsequent generations, through Lucie, were all born in Quebec.
My paternal grandmother's maiden name was Jennie Routh, born 18 Dec. 1883 (or 1881) in Orono, ME. Her father, Joseph Routh, married a Mrs. Julia Cummings on 13 Sept. 1879 in Augusta, ME. Joseph goes back to Sheffield, England, but I can find no evidence of anything further on Mrs. Julia Cummings. Presumably, she was a widow. I do know that my grandmother's heritage is American Indian from Indian Island in Maine (either Penobscot or Passamaquody), so I'm guessing Mrs. Cummings might be the lead to that heritage.
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