Talbot Times 1987 March

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TALBOT TIMES

NEWSLETTER OF

ELGIN COUNTY BRANCH

OF THE

ONTARIO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

BOX 416, ST.THOMAS, ONTARIO, N5P 3V2

Volume VI                    Issue 1                March 1987

Past, Present and Tomorrow

It is hard to Imagine that five years have passed since Elgin County Branch was accepted as the 26th Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society. It seems just like yesterday that I stood before a group of about 30 strangers at the Pioneer Museum in June 1981, asking them to help set up a new Branch. Whether it showed or not, I was really nervous – nervous because I didn’t know whether anyone would show up and nervous because I wasn’t a native son of Elgin County I had heard that if you didn’t have long roots in Elgin County, you couldn’t be expected to know much about Elgin County. Well in a way that was true, I really didn’t know a lot about Elgin County. However, through the Elgin County Branch and its members I have learned a lot. I also learned that those people at the meeting were not strangers but just friends I didn’t know yet. From that group there are four people in particular that I would like to mention -Bob Moore, for his continuous encouragement; Helen Pincombe, for her work in the cemeteries and her enthusiastic support; Marg Daugharty, for her willingness to work at the executive level and her many hours of work behind the scenes; last but not least, my wife Anna. She was treasurer, secretary, coffee-maker, etc. She did all the running around for me. Without her support I would never have thought about getting a Branch started here. I must also not forget the support of the West Elgin Genealogical and Historical Society. All things were not rosy, however. There were some dark clouds.     Two of the main problems were money and the newsletter. Where were we going to get the money from to keep the Branch going. Through the generosity of the local members the Branch made its way through the first year. New members, some from far away, helped to ease the financial problems. The newsletter was one thing I did not want to do. How happy I was when Eileen Mycroft volunteered to be the newsletter editor. She helped the Branch get off to an excellent start.

When the Branch first started it had few resources. Many times I had to write back to someone to tell them that we had no information. Since those early days though we have acquired many resources. The cemeteries are almost 97% complete and this has helped immensely. The Branch acquired many family histories, birth registers, marriage registers and death registers. Members sent in information that was useful to other members. There have been many success stories during the five years of the Branch’s existence. Some members have found long-lost grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.

Cousins have been put in contact with cousins they didn’t even know they had. Because Elgin County Branch was a member of OGS, people found ancestors in material sent from the other Branches and from the OGS itself.

I am proud of what Elgin County Branch has been able to do in the five short years of its existence. It has helped to preserve some of the cultural history of this county and it has been an encouragement for other groups to help preserve the histories of the people who made Elgin County. The Branch is working closely with other local groups preserving the history and genealogy of this county. There are close ties with the Elgin County Library and the St. Thomas Public Library. The library resources of the Branch are now part of the local history collection at the Public Library.

What about the future? I hope that the Branch will continue to grow and that eventually a history of the early pioneers of Elgin County will be put together. I hope also that a master list of all names (from cemeteries, family histories, local histories, etc.) will be compiled so that it will be easier to trace your family in Elgin County. Good luck Elgin County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society.

Submitted by:    Tony Hofstee.

GREETINGS

Happy New Year to all members of Elgin county Branch of the Ontario Genealogical

Society, and to all Genealogical friends who may read our Newsletters.  The 1987 Executive invites members to submit articles and information that could be of interest to our members.  Of course we cannot guarantee that all articles will be published immediately but every effort will be taken to ensure that our readers get something of interest to them.  Suggestions for program are welcomed.

If I can be of assistance to anyone at any time please feel free to contact me at my address or phone number below.  I will try to answer any question to the best of my ability or suggest someone that I feel is better qualified to give an answer.     All best wishes for the New Year and may we all work together for a common interest.  GENEALOGY! and PRESERVATION OF INFORMATION!

Norma Smith, Chairman #7248 OGS

R.R. # 4

St. Thomas, Ontario, N5P 3S8 phone.— 519—633—0543.

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE HABITANTS

Edited by: Debra Butler Honor, Toronto: Genealogical Society,1986.

The Ontario Genealogical Society has produced an interesting book of essays in honour of its 25th anniversary. These essays are actually the printed versions of the workshops held at the 23rd Annual Seminar of the O.G.S. which took place in Windsor in May of 1986. Like most collections of essays some are good and some are not so good.

James L. Hansen, librarian at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, delivered the J. Richard Houston Memorial Lecture. “Tracing the Voyagers”. Mr. Hansen told people how to find their ancestors if they were voyageurs, or others involved in the fur trade, who had settled in the mid—western United States prior to 1800. He described the different kinds of information available in the mid-west, such as church, notarial and land records. Mr. Hansen talked about some of the problems, for instance the fact that French Canadians often had “dit” names. An individual with the name Jacques Morin dit Boucher might appear in the records as Jacques Morin dit Boucher, or Jacques Boucher. Hansen also told how to make the jump from Wisconsin or Michigan to the records of Quebec.

Together with the above, the next three essays form an excellent guide to genealogical research in French Canada. John P. Dulong spoke and wrote on “Genealogical Research Among the Military Records of New France”. Since most of the inhabitants of New France were involved with the military in one way or another, the essay is most helpful. Dulong describes how the militia and regular army units were organized, and the role they played in the life of the colony. He then goes on to talk about the sources for the information concerning soldiers in New France, and the sources for information about inhabitants in general. There is even an appendix listing the different military units which served in the colony.

For someone interested in doing genealogical research in French Canada, Joy Reisinger offers a brief, but worthwhile essay. Ms. Reisinger talks about the sources of information for French-Canadian genealogy, and includes an annotated bibliography. This writer was surprised to discover the amount of material that is available concerning French-Canadian families. One example is the following:

In 1966 the University of Montreal started a computerized demographic study of old Quebec. Entries were made from the microfilmed parish registers. Baptismal entries include names of godparents, witnesses, the name of the priest, and indicate the presents or absence of the persons, if recorded, also, there are extractions from the notarial documents of the engages, and census returnes of 1666, 1667 and 1681. It covers only the French settlement of Quebec and does not include Acadia nor the western posts in what is now the United States.

To date, 30 volumes of the reportoires have been published. These complete the time period from 1730 through 1749 with two volumes of a general index to names in volumes 18 to 28. Family names are entered exactly as they appear in the records and you must check all spelling variations. The project is to continue through the year 1765 and will comprise about 60 volumes.

Another interesting essay is John P. Dulong’s second contribution, “French-Canadian and Acadian Loyalists”. Although this writer is inclined to disagree with the idea that French Canadians who fought for England during the American Revolution are Loyalists, Dulong presents the reader with a lot of information about sources for FrenchCanadian genealogy.

There are many more essays and much more information available in the book. Mark Walsh spoke about the records available in a municipal archives, and made a plea for more such institutions. Marty Gervais’ talk about oral history is worthy of note. Two of the poorer essays are “The Federation of Family History Societies” by Colin Chapman, and “Mennonite History” by Peter Bartel. The first is quite disorganized and contains several historical errors. Peter Bartel’s work is simply a recitation of Mennonite history and tells the reader very little about genealogy.

A theme which recurs throughout the book, and which is worth repeating, is the idea that genealogy should not just be limited to finding out when different ancestors were born, when they died, and when they married. What was life like for great-great-grandfather when he started farming in Yarmouth Township in 1820? Why did his first wife die in 1826? What the different speakers and writers are saying is that the genealogist should flesh out the lives of his or her ancestors, try to make them come alive. The information is there. Why not use it?

To sum up, there is a lot of useful information available in In The Footsteps of the Habitant Particularly for someone interested in French-Canadian genealogy. On the whole it is a book worth reading.

Submitted by    Frank Clarke

St. Thomas Photographers

1851        McWhinney, Win.

1855        Wells, Lyman

Field, George

1859        Marshall, William; Baker, William A.

  1. Marshall, Wm.; Baker, Wm.
  2. Marshall, Wm.; Baker, Wm.; D.J. Wallace & Bro.

1862        Wallace, D.J.

  1. Wallace, D.J.
  2. Wallace, D.J.; Allen, Robt.
  3. Wallace; Allen; Lindop Wm. E.
  4. Allen, R./Allen Bros.; Lindop, W.E.
  5. Allen’s Picture Gallery; Lindop, W.E.
  6. Lindop
  7. Lindop
  8. Lindop; Allen
  9. Lindop; Cooper, William A

1872        Lindop; Cooper

  1. Cooper; May, Norman
  2. Cooper; Swenson, Charles J.
  3. Cooper; Swenson

1876-1879    to be researched

1879        Lindop, W.E.; McCulley, W.M.; Newcombe, W.; Scott, T.H.

1880-81    Lindop, W.E.; Loftus, F.; Mann, A.; Scott, T.H. 1881-82    Lindop. W.E.; Loftus, Fred; Mann, A.F.; Scott, T.H.;              Hopkins, N.L.

1884        Norton, I.W.; Lewis Brothers; Lindop, W.E.; Mann, A.F.;         Scott & Hopkins

1886        Foster, J.W.; Norton, I.W.; Green, A.S.; Scott & Hopkins

1886        Rutledge, R.; Scott & Hopkins

1887—88.    Green, Anson S.; Norton, I.W.

1890—91    Elliot, Robert; Ellison, Ralph; Green, Anson S.;                 Hopkins, J.H.; Lindop, John M.

1892—93.    Elliot, R.; Green, A.S.; Hopkins, J.H.; Miller, R.J.

1894-95    Scott, T.H.; Phillips, E.S.; Hopkins, J.H.; Ferguson,             J.S.; Elliot, Robert 1895-96    Elliot, Robt.; Ferguson, J.S.; Hopkins, J.H.; Phillips,             E.S; Scott, N.L. 1896        Courtenay, S.; Elliot, R.; Ferguson, J.S.; Hopkins, J.H. Scott, T.H.

1897        Elliot, R.; Ferguson, J.S; Hopkins, J.H.; Scott, T.H.

1899        Ferguson, J.S.; Hollway, Hattie; Hopkins, J.H.;                 LaCourse, J.D.; Scott, T.H.

Ferguson, J.S; Hollway, H.; Hopkins, J.H.; Scott, T.H.

Ferguson, J.S.; Hollway, H; Hopkins, J.H.; Janrow, W.E.; Scott, T.H.

Ferguson, J.S.; Hopkins, J.H.; Scott, T.H.

Ferguson, J.S.; Hopkins. J.H.; Scott, T.H.

Ferguson, J.S.; Hopkins, J.H.; Ruinley & Guitar; Scott 1907 Hopkins, J.H.; McCallum & Westlake; Ross, W.G.; Scott 1908        Hopkins, J.H.; Scott, T.H.; Westlake, F.G. 1909.        Black, M.L.; Hopkins, J.H.

1909-10    Black, Minnie; Hopkins, J.H.; Scott, T. H.

Bourne, C.L.; Hopkins, J.H.; Plomley, C.; Scott, W.M.

Hopkins, J.H.; Plomley, C.; Scott, W.M.

Hopkins, J.H.; Plomley, C.; Scott, W.M.

Hopkins, J.H.; Plomley, C.; Scott, W.M.

Hopkins, J.H.; Plomley, Cyril; Scott, W.M.

1916-17    Cantelon, A.E.; Hopkins; Scott

Cantelon, A.E.; Hopkins; Scott; Russell, Frank

Cantelon; Hopkins; Scott,

1920-21-22    Hopkins; Scott

Scott, Trevor Photo Studio

Scott, Trevor

Wilfred C. Johnson

1925-30    Browne, Wm.J.; Scott

1931        Rogers, Benj.J.; Scott

1932—35    Browne, Wm.J.; Scott

Baker, Lyle; Reade’s Studio; Scott

Baker, Lyle; Reade’s Studio; Scott

1938—40    Scott; Reide

NOTES:    Photographer Listings

1851-1876    Transcribed from St. Thomas newspapers:

St. Thomas Weekly Dispatch.

St. Thomas Home Journal.

St. Thomas Rough Notes.

Middlesex Watchman.

Source:        Microfilm Holdings, St. Thomas, Public Library.

1879-1940    Transcribed from St. Thomas City Directories.

Source:    A.    Microfilm Holdings, St. Thomas Public Library.         B.    Howard Mills Collection.

Submitted by Stephen J. Peters

Former St. Thomas Business Man and Police Constable Passes in Detroit

Veteran of the St. Thomas and Elgin county police forces, a pioneer newspaper typesetter of Western Ontario, and a carriage builder in the early days of this city, William Thomas Fairbrother died at the residence of his son, W.T. Fairbrother, 1773 Infantry street, Detroit, Wednesday, after a short illness. Mr. Fairbrother celebrated his 99th birthday in Detroit on July l. His son, who was attending Old Home Week here, hurried back to Detroit to join members of the family in celebrating the event. The veteran police officer had planned to attend the reunion here, but was prevented from doing so. During the last few years his eyesight had failed which handicapped his movements to a considerable extent. Despite the loss of his sight, Mr. Fairbrother continued to take a keen interest in local and world affairs, getting much solace from his radio receiving set. He got particular pleasure from listening to the the broadcasts of baseball games and also the short wave broadcasts from Old London. A native of Woolwich, England, Mr. Fairbrother never lost his love for the Old Land. Regularly every evening he tuned in to hear Big Ben in London strike the hour. He is said to have known virtually every baseball player in the American League by name and to have taken a lively interest in the Detroit club’s race for the pennant and the world championship again this year. Inability to see the players in action did not deter Mr. Fairbrother from attending a number of the baseball games when the Detroit Tigers were at home. He remained in keen possession of his other faculties and derived great pleasure from listening to the games.

Mr. Fairbrother lived for many years at No. 8 St. Anne’s place in this city, leaving here to reside with his son in Detroit some years ago.

Coming to Canada

Mr. Fairbrother was born in Woolwich on July 1, 1836 and eleven years later he came to this country with his parents. They first settled in Montreal where Mr. Fairbrother had his first initiation into the atmosphere of printers ink. He found employment with the old Montreal Morning Courier. Two years later, the family moved to London, Ontario, where Mr. Fairbrother found work in the composing room of the London Free Press. From typesetting Mr. Fairbrother turned to the grocery business, clerking in a store operated by W.T. Buckley in London. Three years of the grocery business and Mr. Fairbrother decided that the carriage business held more promise. He was apprenticed in the carriage building and blacksmith trade, completing his training in London.

It was in 1867 that Mr. Fairbrother, having reached the age of 31, decided to go into business for himself and selected St. Thomas as his location. He acquired the business of the late Samuel Day, situated at Stanley and Centre streets. Under the name of Fairbrother and Harrington, the firm manufactured carriages and wagons for 20 years or more. The industry grew and prospered for several years but machine-made, cheaper and lighter vehicles started crowding the markets and business fell off under the pressure of this competition, The durable handmade buggies and wagons had had their day and Mr. Fairbrother decided that the time had come for him to close his plant. But a life of inaction did not appeal to Mr. Fairbrother. He was in the best of Physical condition and had had considerable experience in country constabulary work. In 1889 he became a member of the St. Thomas Police Department, continuing in this capacity until his retirement about 14 years ago. Mr. Fairbrother was one of the best known and most popular members of the police force. His beat for many years was the Ross street district. All over the continent are former residents of St. Thomas who knew Constable William Fairbrother in their boyhood and girlhood. He leaves an honorable record as a minion of the law. He was devoted to duty, walking the beat day after day and night after night when many men his junior in years had retired from active work.

Saw Many Changes

Mr. Fairbrother saw many changes during his 88 years of residence in Canada and the United States. He witnessed the transition from the age of the horse—drawn vehicles to gasoline propelled vehicles. He served under three British monarchs, Queen Victoria, Edward VII, and the present ruler, King George V. He was here before St. Thomas became an international railway centre and he watched the development of the industry to its peak during the World War period. Aviation and radio, to Mr. Fairbrother, were the greatest advances made by science and invention in the last century.

“I have witnessed the birth and growth of virtually every great invention and discovery since I have been old enough to remember, and there is no doubt in my mind that these two sciences are the most marvelous of all,” Mr. Fairbrother remarked in an interview about a year ago.

“The younger generation merely accepts the wonderful achievements around us as being commonplace,” he continued, “but we oldsters are fitted to marvel at them, since we can remember that the things which are commonplace, such as the phonograph, were unheard of and unthought of when we were young.

Mr. Fairbrother undoubtedly inherited his liking for constabulary work from his father, who was a soldier in England for many years, a member of the Royal Artillery of Queen Victoria. He often told about the trip to Canada from the Old Country. The family were passengers on a little sailing vessel, which was 66 days in crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

Free Masonry also claimed Mr. Fairbrother as one of its grand old veterans. He had been a member of London Lodge, No. 209 A.F. and A.M. since 1863. He was a master of that lodge in 1866.

For over half a century Mr. Fairbrother lived in the little brick cottage at No. 8 St. Anne’s place. Both he and Mrs. Fairbrother, who died about six years ago, possessed the English love of flowers and attractive home surroundings. They were ardent flower growers and their garden was always a bower of fragrance and beauty every summer. That cottage still sturdy, will remain as a monument to this veteran of the city police force. It is regrettable that Mr. Fairbrother could not have lived at least long enough to round out the century mark. Members of his family bele ive that he would, because he was quite hale and hearty on July 1 when he celebrated his his 99th birthday.

All of the Fairbrother children were born in the cottage in St. Anne’s place. Three survive. They are William T., Detroit; Mrs. Robert Gardner, city; and Fred Fairbrother of Traverse City, Michigan. Funeral arrangements are uncomplete.

Copied from the St. Thomas Times Journal, September 5, 1935. Submitted by; Jim McCallum.

VITAL RECORDS

Registration of births, marriages, and deaths began officially in July 1869. People were slow to comply, so records for the early years are not complete. For records, write to: Deputy Registrar General, MacDonald Block,  Queen’s Park, Toronto, Ontario.     While most marriages in Ontario before 1869 were performed in churches after the announcement of bands, some people were married by clerks of the peace. Until 1831 these civil marriages were allowed only if the couple resided more than eighteen miles from an Anglican clergyman in a district wherein less than five ministers resided. Before the marriage license was issued, however, a marriage bond was posted, which testified that there was no legal reason to prevent the marriage. Record Group 5, 89, at the Public Archives of Canada contains Ontario bonds from 1803 to 1845. There is an index to this record group.

After the bond was posted, the marriage was performed and then recorded in a marriage register. The earliest registers are district registers. In 1849 the districts of Ontario were eliminated. Most registers from about 1857 to 1869 are county registers, although several continue after 1849 as district registers. All of the district registers are available on microfilm from the Public Archives of Canada and the Genealogical Society Library in Salt Lake City:

Bathhurst District                        1831-48

(Lanark & part of Renfrew and Carleton counties)

Brock District                            1839-58

(Oxford & Brant counties)

Eastern District                        1851-65

Gore District                            1842-55

Home District                            1831-57

Huron District                            1841-49

Johnstown District                        1801-51

London District                            1833-55

New Castle District                        1839-54

(Northumberland and Durham counties)

Ottawa District                            1816-53

Prince Edward District                    1833-46

Talbot District                            1838-57

Victoria District                        1839-58

(Victoria and Hastings counties)

Western District                        1795-1857

Most of the county registers cover the years 1857—59 to 1869. Two exceptions are those for Simcoe County (1842-69) and Peterborough County (1842-58). Peterborough County records consists of a loose-leaf binder of original birth, death, and marriage records.

For a complete list of all county register books see “Those Golden Wedding Books”, by

A.P. Silcox, in the Ontario Genealogical Society’s Bulletin 9 no. 2 (1970): 14—17, and Families 10, no. 1 (1971): 13-15

CHURCH RECORDS

Church registers should be consulted for records of births, deaths and marriages for the period before 1869, the year official vital registration was initiated. (for earlier cases of vital registration, see “Vital Records” above.)

Religious affiliation can be determined from family sources or census returns. You should search the registers of all denominations in the area where your ancestor lived, since many baptisms were performed in the nearest church, often by a convenient circuit minister regardless of the religious affiliation of the family. At certain periods of Ontario’s history, only certain religions were allowed to perform marriages. Many times an individual had to be married by a priest or minister of a religion other than his own. The following list details this problem.

1754—93    Only Catholic and Church of England clergy could perform marriages.

1793—98    Marriages could be performed by Catholic priests, Church of England ministers, and clerks of the peace (if the couple resided more than eighteen miles from an Anglican minister.)

1798—1831    Catholic priests, Church of Scotland clergy, Church of England, Calvinists, and Lutherans could perform marriages.

1831—58    Besides clergymen of all denominations mentioned above, Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians could perform marriages. By law they were required to keep marriage registers.

1858—present     Ministers of all denominations in Ontario could perform marriages.

Most of the church registers are still in the hands of local clergymen. Records of circuit ministers may be located miles from the local churches. The different denominational archives can sometimes help to locate these records. Anglican records are generally held by the individual parishes, although many have been sent to the diocesan archives.

Wesleyan Methodist records from the 1840s to the 1890s can be researched at the United Church Archives in Toronto, Ontario. More information can be obtained by writing to the denominational archives. The archives of the major denominations are listed below:

Anglican:    General Synod Archives, 600 Jarvis St., Toronto,                 Ontario, M4Y 2J6.

Baptist:    McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1.

Catholic: Archdiocese of Kingston, 279 Johnson St., Kingston,                 Ontario, K7L 4X8.

Archdiocese of Ottawa, 256 King Edward Ave., Ottawa,             Ontario, K1N 7M1.

Archdiocese of Toronto, 55 Gould St., Toronto, Ontario,             M5B 1G1

Presbyterian:    Archives of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, 59             St. George St., Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2E6.

United:    United Church of Canada Archives, Birge Carnegie                 Library, Victoria University, Toronto, Ontario.

This article will be continued in the June newsletter.

QUERIES —Elgin Branch Members are allowed two (2) queries published free of charge in each newsletter. If a member submits a number of queries at one time we will print two (2) each newsletter unless they wish to pay $3.00 per query for each extra item. Non—members are charged $ 3.00 per query. In order to provide better service we are suggesting you mail all Queries directly to Mrs. Lloyd C. (Norma) Smith, R.R. # 4, St.Thomas, Ontario, N5P 3S8. May I ask that all Queries for the June 1987 Newsletter reach me before May 6, 1987. Any Queries received after that date will be published in the following Newsletter.

F.Y.I.    Commonly used short forms

anc        ancestor b        born

c or ca    about (time) cem        cemetery desc        descendants info        information bd        buried bapt        baptized ch        children dau        daughter m        married

prts        parents

BOYD-COOKE – Alpheus King BOYD of Malahide Twp. (b 5 June 1842) m 28 Feb 1864 to Susan COOKE of Bayham Twp (9 Oct 1846). Need info on their prts. Believe them to be John BOYD/Anna ABBOTT. Besides Alpheus K., they had sons Sewall & Robert BOYD. Unsure of Other Children Believe Susan’s prts to be George COOKE/ ? Besides Susan they had daus Fanny & Sarah. Unsure of Other Ch. Any info to Linda MINS, Rt. 2, Box 31F, Lexington, NE. USA 68850

BOWERS – of Walsingham, Norfolk County. Jerusha Cohoon PATTEN m a Mrs. BOWERS ca 1844. He d ca 1853. Jerrusha was b 1792 at Port Medway, Nova Scotia. Mrs. BOWERS’s first marriage was to David PATTEN of Port Burwell Bayham twp, Elgin County. Any info to Mrs. Kathleen McMAHON, 12624 St. James Road, Rockville, Maryland, USA. 20850.

WINFIELD – GRANDDAUGHTER WAS Eliza RADCLIFFE b 1850 at Douglas, Isle of Man, prts Thomas and Charlet RADCLIFFE, m Richard PATTEN 1850 and lived in Bayham Twp in Elgin County. Eliza came to Canada as a small child with grandparents. Any info to Mrs. Kathleen McMAHON 12624 St.James Road, Rockville, Maryland. 20850. NOTE:    Try Ralph G. Winfield, R.R. # 2, Glanworth, Ontario, N0L 1L0

BRADFIELD – VAUGHN – Henry Bradfield, farmer, b ca 1823 England d ca 1883 at Houghton Centre, Norfolk Co. Henry’s father, Jonathan Bradfield, mother Sally? Henry m Nancy Myron VAUGHN b ca 1832 US? d 28 Nov ca 1902 Houghton Centre, Father? Mother? Had possibly nine children? They married in Niagara Falls area and lived there (US or CAN?) Moved to Hemlock, near Port Burwell Ca 1853. Would like any info on this family. Karen S. PENDELL, 1408 Bayberry Lane, Midland MI, USA 48640.

TOMBSTONE found in small cemetery on lake side of the lake road between Port Burwell and Houghton Centre. Cemetery is out in the open next to farmer’s field:  EMILY J. BRADFIELD – died 12 -1900 or 1901, wife of Thomas. Any information on this person????????? Info to Karen PENDELL, above address.

GARNSEY (GUERNSEY)- THOMAS- Samuel Garnsey Jr. born 7 probably Dunwich, Elgin County? m Ann THOMAS dau of Evan THOMAS of Elgin Co Ca 1833 At St.Thomas. He d when? where? Ann d when? where? Evan d when? where? Believe Samuel and Ann lived near Vienna, Elgin County and had at least 1 child Francis Ann, b when and where? Died when and where? Seek family! descendants! info, will exchange info. James H. THOMAS, 5718 Moccasin Run, Rockford IL. 61109-6104 USA.

WATSON CORNERS, ELGIN COUNTY: Seek info on cemetery which was located southwest and between WATSON CORNERS and the BEST farm on the TALBOT Road. I understand that the cemetery no longer exists. Need names/dates of descendants of those bd there. Also the same for the WATSON family, same location. Will exchange info. James H. THOMAS, 5718 Moccasin Run, Rockford, IL. 61109-6104, USA.

ARMSTRONG, William H. – b Sept 17,1854 in Hamilton, Ont., area- d Nov 18,1934 at St. Thomas, Ontario. Started to work for Grand Trunk Railroad at age 15 in the Hamilton area, was transferred to London, Ont., and later to St.Thomas where he retired as chief dispatcher in 1926. Had brother (name unknown) and three sisters namely Fema, Elizabeth, and Bella. their father emigrated from Farina, Ireland and was a Cabinet maker or Carpenter by trade. William H. m Edna May REVELL b May 1862, Barton Twp, Wentworth County. She had two sisters, Clara & Bertha and brother Charlie d Feb 7, 1904. Both Mr & Mrs. Armstrong bd in St. Thomas Cemetery on West Ave. Seeking parents names of both persons & residences.  All info to their grandson, C. Ralph BLACK, 21 Cedar St., St.Thomas, Ontario N5R 1M4.

TOZER, Isabella — b 1816 In Vermont, USA-moved to Canada with prts (at an early age) to Yarmouth Twp, Elgin Co., m at age 18 yrs to Henry Nelson SMITH at Stirling, Jan 22 or 29, 1834- after mar moved to Kent Co., she resided there for 13 yrs, (area not known) until 1847 when she returned to Yarmouth Twp after the death of her husband. She was a member of New Sarum Baptist Church 20 years. She had four sons and two daus- three sons and a dau lived in Colorado. Seeking prts names of both persons and residences. All info to C.Ralph BLACK, above address.

AVERY FAMILY- An attempt to computerize -the AVERY CLAN of Groton, Conneticut, (this was published c 1912 for the 7th Generation), is being undertaken. This covers the family from c 1825 to the present. For details write Robert MOORE, 77 Metcalfe St., St.Thomas, Ontario N5R 3K6.

GEROW-BULL – Can anyone tell me about the descendants of Earl GEROW, b 1889 in Dunwich Twp, son of Peter GEROW and Melissa BULL? Or descendants of John F. MAATTE(1884-1943) and his wife Lydia GEROW (1875-1941) Dunwich Twp? Info to Mary E. YOUNG, 2470 Plata Drive, Santa Rosa, CA, 95401.

BALE- Can anyone tell me about descendants of Josiah BALE, b 1868, William BALE, b 1871, or Peter BALE b 1875, all sons of John BALE and Elizabeth BULL? Or descendants of Stephen BALE, b 1871, son William BALE and Sarah Emily BULL, Dunwich Twp?? All info to Mary E. YOUNG, above address.

BLASHILL – George, born circa 1856 in Uxbridge? Ont., s/o George and Hannah ELSON, m with Katherine ELSON, b circa 1858 in Uxbridge?, Ont, dau of Henry & Betsy? George and Katherine died in Aylmer, Out. Need any info on prts and children. Info to Tony HOFSTEE, 44 Steele St., St.Thomas, Ontario, N5R 2Y3.

BERDAN – Any info on this name. Am trying to colleet info on all the BERDANS in Ontario. Will exchange info that I have collected already. All correspondence to Tony HOFSTEE, above address.

DAKINS, William, b circa 1826 in Lower Canada, m Elizabeth FAY of Lower Canada, ch b Ontario- William J.-1851, Michael- c 1853, Nancy c 1853, Mark c 1856, Elizabeth- c 1859, Luke c 1860, Mary Elizabeth c 1869. Descendants living in Middlesex and Elgin Counties. Need info on these people and their desc. Info to Anna HOFSTEE, 44 Steele St., St. Thomas, Ontario, N5R 2Y3.

BAKER – Elijah b c 1839 England, m to Hannah WEST, b 1842 in Berkshire, England, Ch: Walter, Pauline, Sarah Jane (b 1874 Wheatley, Oxfordshire), Elijah Edward, Charles, Florence (b 1886, St. Thomas, Ontario). Info to Anna Hofstee, above address.

CHAMBERS -SUMMERS – Looking for the family of Ella May SUMMERS who married Solen CHAMBERS, last known address was 237 Ridout St., London, Ontario. All info to Susan GIACHERIO, 1695 Woodstock, Canton, MI. 48188.

ROCKEY-McINTOSH-HARRlS-MclNTOSH – Looking for the family of Edna Pearl McINTOSH who married Clarke ROCKEY of Springfield, & Ida Mary McINTOSH who married John HARRIS of Springfield. All info to Susan GIACHERIO, above address.

WITT, Calvin built a beautiful log hotel on Lot # 35, Southwold, after Oct. 24, 1820. Is it still Standing or are there any pictures of it available? This was where Col. Talbot often held his anniversaries & VanDeaus or Auction Sales. Info to Mrs. Kathleen L. WOODROW, 3100 S.W. 41st St., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73119.

TEEPLE, Edgar E. m Annie May NASMITH (1892-?). Ch: Murray b 1914, Lanis Lorraine b 1918, of St. Thomas, Ross: Joyce: Brian. All info to Gregory A. OAKES, 120 Clarendon Cres., London, Ontario, N6C 5B8.

BAKER – Charles, bapt 7 Feb 1836, Holsworthy, Devon, England, (Methodist); immigrated with prts (Margaret HICKS and William BAKER) from Cornwall (family tradition says village of Bude), to 10th conc, Yarmouth Twp, in 1847. Was in Australia in 1887. Married Mary BLEWETT ch: Alice, Wesley, Margaret, Thomas Arthur. Seek dates and places of marriage, births of children, death; any info on where he lived or events in his life to Jon K SHIDLER, Route 8, Box 154, Coatesville, PA 19320, USA.

BLEWETT- Mary (b St Breward, Cornwall?); immigrated with prts (Elizabeth COLLINS and George John BLEWETT jr) from Cornwall (family tradition says village of Dubwalls), to Yarmouth Twp, in 1850. Married Charles BAKER; ch: Alice, Wesley, Margaret, Thomas Arthur. Seek dates and places of birth, marriage, births of children, death: any info on events in her life to Jon K SHIDLER, above address.