Maine native and independent musician Tonya Shevenell will speak at McArthur Library in Biddeford on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. She chose a family history story as the inspiration for her first documentary film, “The Home Road,” which co-stars family members, the city of Biddeford and journeys made to and from Lower Canada/Quebec across two centuries. In June of 2015, her 74-year-old father, Ray, retraced the pioneering 1845 trek of her then 19-year-old great-great-great grandfather, Israel Shevenell, who first made the nearly 200- mile walk from his home in Compton, Quebec to Biddeford to find work.

Tonya will discuss how she and her father added activity, adventure and imagination to family history research and how these experiences enhanced their understanding and appreciation for the lives of their ancestors, as well as how they have helped them create and share their own personal stories. She will also discuss the many resources she has used for historical and genealogical research.

The documentary film is in production through 2015 and will be independently released in early 2016.

McArthur Library is located at 270 Main St. in Biddeford. Events are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.