Travelling to County Cork - Carnival of Irish Heritage and Culture

Bill West of West in New England sent out a challenge or perhaps a plea, for bloggers to write a posting for this month's Carnival of Irish Heritage and Culture.

So here goes.

The theme for this month is real or dream vacations in Ireland.

I have no Irish connections in my ancestry. English, Scottish, German and possibly Spanish if family folklore is true, but there is no sign of any Irish blood in my veins. I had never thought of travelling to Ireland - North or South. This has now changed. My sister suggested that we take a trip to Ireland.

We now have a reason to go. We have a first cousin who now lives in Ireland with some of her family. I would love to see her again as it has been many years. I would love to meet her family. She lives in a beautiful part of Ireland in County Cork, the Beara Peninsula. The photographs of the area are breathtaking and would entice a person to visit even if they didn't have relatives there. Of course, we would pay a visit to Cork.

She blogs about the beautiful Beara Peninsula at The Ring of Beara Blog. I hope you visit her site to see the beauty of the area.

No date/year has been set but Susanne if you are reading this, we will give you lots of warning.

Wordless Wednesday - collage of my sister's garden 2009

Photo collage of my sister's garden, 2009
photos by Janet Iles

Tombstone Tuesday - David Johnston & Hannah Hemingway

David Johnston
Oct 25 1816 Nov 6 1892
His wife
Hannah Hemingway
Mar 4 1819 Oct 13 1887
Their daughter
Caroline Johnston
Apr 18 1857 Apr 20 1877

David Johnston and Hannah Hemingway are my great great grandparents.
They are buried in Hagerman East Cemetery in Markham Township, York County, Ontario (now the Town of Markham).

My mother's eldest sister knew that David Johnston and Hannah Hemingway had lived in the Unionville area of Markham. My mother and I made a trip to the area and started looking for cemeteries. We did not find them on our first trip.

One day, while at a meeting of the Bruce Grey Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society, we were sharing what we were doing in our research. I said that we had gone down to the area but had not found the gravestone for David Johnston and Hannah Hemingway. It was my good fortune that there was someone there from Markham who offered, after the meeting, to check for me. I gave her the particulars as far as I knew them at the time.

Imagine my delight that some time later when an envelop arrived with photographs of some stones with transcriptions. The marker is lying flat on the ground. I do not know if that is how it was originally placed. I was certainly thankful to that person. I was later able to pay return visits to the area to continue my research.

Tug Boat Parade 2009 part 2

At noon, the old factory whistle blew (unfortunately, I didn't capture the sound) but I did get some of the boat whistles that followed.

It was great to see people of all ages enjoying the parade and the other activities that were planned. Thanks to all the volunteers and the staff of the museums for orchestrating this celebration of the city's heritage.

Tug Boat Parade - part 1

Because of the length of the video of the Tugboat Parade I have divided it into two parts. I will also put each part in a separate posting.

Tugboats are an important part of Owen Sound's history. Russel Brothers made them. The two tugboats that were on the former one dollar Canadian bill were made here in Owen Sound.

Although the weather was not the greatest for this special event as part of Owen Sound Heritage Days co-sponsored by Billy Bishop House and Museum and the Owen Sound & Marine Rail Museum, people gathered on both sides of the harbour to watch the parade.

Wordless Wednesday - Serendipity Princess

photos taken by Janet Iles July 13, 2009 in Barrie Ontario as the Serendipity Princess was approaching the dock,

In Grateful Remembrance

In Grateful Remembrance is the title of the project that I have been working on for several years. I have worked on it on and off but realize now that I must get it finished. Like genealogy projects on your own family, the project could go on for a long while yet, but I have a target date in mind -- September 14.

So what is the project? In 1919, Knox Presbyterian Owen Sound (since 1925 a United Church) dedicated an organ in remembrance of the men connected to the church who had paid the supreme sacrifice during or shortly after the First World War. I have been researching each man and his family. When we were working on the application to have the organ designated as a military memorial, I got very interested in the names on the plaque. The booklet or whatever it ends up being will include information on the church organ.

August marks the 90th anniversary of the installation with the dedication held in September. This year we will celebrate the 90th anniversary at Knox with a special musical concert. The committee has decided to have a variety concert.
Concert - In Grateful Remembrance
To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the installation and dedication of our Casavant organ that was dedicated to the memory of those who died in the First World War, an evening of music will be presented at Knox on September 27 at 7 p.m. Freewill offering.
The concert will feature:
Dwayne Hachman, organ
John Stuart-Vanderburg, organ
Jaime McCormick, French horn
On Q quartet,
Jane Siegel, piano
Barry Randall, percussion
I will write more about the concert later.

Now who have I been researching?

In Grateful Remembrance
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13)
1914-1918Norman Richard Birge (1893-1917) enlisted with the 58th Battalion. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment) and died on 25 April 1917 in France.
William Fawcett Campbell (1891-1918) enlisted with the 147th Battalion. He was with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles Central Ontario Regiment when he died on 28 August 1918 in France.
William Oswald Fraser (1895-1918) enlisted with the 147th Battalion and served with the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps. He died on 6 November 1918 in France.
William Ira Fulford (1888-1915) was with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles (2nd Central Ontario Regiment) when he died on 1 December 1915 in Belgium.
John Gershon Galbraith (1896-1918) enlisted with the 34th Battery of Kingston. When he died on 28 July 1918 in France, he was serving with the Royal Air Force 13th Squadron.
Albert Edward Gaskell (1891-1918) was with the 72nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment). He died on 2 September 1918 in France.
Thomas Seton Gordon (1890-1916) enlisted with the 2nd Universities Company University of Toronto. He received his commission in the Border Regiment, 11th Lonsdale Battalion. He died on 22 January 1916 in France.
Charles Haughton McKay Gordon (1880-1919) enlisted with the 68th Battalion. He died in Regina, Saskatchewan on 5 April 1919.
Alexander Mckay Gunn (? - 1917) was the 44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (New Brunswick Regiment). He died on 23 August 1917 in France.
Victor John Lennox (1891-1919) was with the Regiment Depot, Canadian Engineers. He died on 30 June 1919 in England. [Victor died after the plaque was made.]
Allen Beatty Malcom (1898-1917) enlisted with 147th Battalion. He served with the 48th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment). He died on 30 August 1917 in France.
Joseph McDonald (1884-1917) enlisted with the 147th Battalion and served with the 58th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment). He died on 27 October 1917 in France.
Robert Edward McDonald (1883-1916) enlisted with the 160th OS Battalion, Canadian Infantry. He died on 19 December 1916 in England.
Roy Brown McKenzie (1891-1917) enlisted with the 147th Battalion and served with the Canadian Railway Troops. He died on 4 April 1917.
Charles Edgar Orford (1892-1917) enlisted with the 147th Battalion. He served with the 58th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment). He died on 26 October 1917 in Belgium.
Clarence Porter (1898-1916) went overseas with the 2nd Contingent. He served with the Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment) 20th Battalion and he died on 15 September 1916 in France.
Seth Enos Rawn (1898-1918) enlisted with the 147th Battalion. He served with the 4th Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps. He died on 30 September 1918 in France.
James Dawson Sheffield (1895-1917) enlisted with the 147th Battalion. He served with the 58th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment). He died on 26 October 1917 in Belgium.
Cyril Slade (1892-1918) served with the 20th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment). He died on 11 November 1918 in France.
Arthur Frederick Thompson (1897-1917) enlisted with the 147th Battalion and served with 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles (Central Ontario Regiment). He died on 26 October 1917 in Belgium.
John A. Thompson (1876-1915) went overseas with the 1st Contingent. He served with the 15th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment). He died on 21 May 1915 in France.
James Watt (1884-1918) enlisted with the 147th Battalion. He served with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles (2nd Central Ontario Regiment). He died 28 August 1918.
Louis Zeiggel (1894-1916) served with the 42nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). He died on 16 September 1916.
Do you recognize any of the names? Do you have information about them? I would love to include a photo of them in the finished project.

Moon landing and walk - Remembering 4...

Moon landing and walk - Remembering 40 years ago today - July 20 / July 21, 1969

The moon landing was at 0256 GMT July 21 -4 = making it 10:56 July 20 in Ontario and Quebec.

I was in Trois-Pistoles Quebec, a small community on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River attending French Summer School of the University of Western Ontario. I was living with the Côté family for six weeks during that summer (July 3 - August 13, 1969). I was attending classes studying third year university French 381 - Grammar, composition, oral practice (although I had only finished grade thirteen in June). Now that it is another story in itself.

So back to the moon landing. (Retournons à l'alunissage)

I didn't watch the historic event chez la famille Côté. I spent the night at the apartment of one of my fellow school mates who was staying with either her aunt or grandmother. I wonder if I have any notes on the subject or old letters, as sadly I do not have many photos and none of them are labelled and there are no annotations in the photo album.

Although, there was school the next day, we stayed up late to watch it. It was exciting to watch and I am sure we held our breath until they were safely landed. How thrilling to watch as Buzz Aldrian and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. We would hear the words of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

What I don't remember was it translated? What station did we watch? It was most likely a French language station of Radio-Canada. After being there for over two weeks, I wouldn't think anything of watching this special moment in French, as all we spoke for the summer was French unless we were translating into English as part of our courses or once in while an English song sung for practice of the French Canadians learning English.

I wonder now what the older generations thought at the time about the moon walk? Had they ever imagined that during their lifetime that someone would travel to the moon and walk on its surface? I wasn't home to see my parents' reaction. They did take photos of the television set. My grandparents were gone by then.

Where were you when this historic moment happened? Perhaps you will blog about it or leave a comment here.

"The past won't let you forget"

"The past won't let you forget" so begins the fly leaf of The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley.

For genealogists/family historians, the past draws us in to the stories of our ancestors and their kin. We want to learn more about them. What was their life like? What made them tick? We hope we can find clues and perhaps even answers to these questions as we research.

The principal character of The Winter Sea is Carrie McClelland, an historical fiction writer. While researching for her latest historical fiction, Carrie, a Canadian, leaves France to continue her research in Scotland. Present and past are interwoven throughout the book, so it is like reading two books in one. Although not a genealogist, Carrie's father is one and she consults with him on several occasions about their family history. Mention is made of the IGI (International Genealogical Index), descendancy charts and DNA and researching original documents.

As Kearlsey weaves the story, you are drawn into the story and the talk of genetic memory. It is hard to know what elements of the past are works of fiction and what is true. This is the mark of a good historical fiction book. There are elements of romance, suspense and history in the book. As always, Susanna Kearsley provides a well researched book for her readers. At the end of the book, Kearsley reveals what characters are works of her imagination.

Kearsley, Susanna. The Winter Sea (London : Allison & Busby, 2008) 527 p.

Susanna Kearsley's web site Here you can read the first chapter of the book. I am sure you will be hooked and you will want to read the rest of the book. Susanna Kearsley is a Canadian author.

Do you have a favorite historical fiction or a book with a genealogist as an important character in the book that you would recommend that I or others would enjoy reading?

The blogging continues - Start of Year 3

Today is my 2nd blogiversary. My first post was about life long learning. Although retired, I was working on a very part time basis at the library when the staff undertook the web 2.0 learning experience. I was invited to participate. I am certainly happy that I did. At first, many of the posts related to the assignments but with time the focus has shifted to genealogy, family history, local history and of course, gardening and other items that strike my fancy.

I enjoy being a part of the geneabloggers, (an informal community of blog writers who blog mainly about genealogy and family history).

If anyone is new to my blog, I hope you read some of my past blogs. Please leave comments as they are always appreciated.

Wordless Wednesday - Barrie Garden Tour

photos from the Barrie Garden Tour 2009 taken by Janet Iles

Summer Vacations - Carnival of Genealogy

With two carnivals with due dates close to each other talking about summer vacations, I will focus this posting for the Carnival of Genealogy, on vacations at Sauble Beach and the other will be about vacations on Manitoulin Island.

From the time, I was a little girl, our family went to Sauble Beach on short holidays. We rented until we purchased a cottage in 1955 on the south end of Sauble Beach on leased land.

One of the advantages of Sauble Beach was the closeness to home. With about a half-hour drive you could get from home to the cottage. With a quick unload of the car, you could be on the beach in just over an hour. Our own cottage had a view of the beach as it perched up on the dune area. There was a cottage in front of us but it didn't block the view from the porch, deck or the living room window.

The cottage was not large but had three bedrooms off the living room/dining area. Two of the bedrooms had 3/4 bed bunk beds that were home made. There was a small kitchen. That was it. Now where was the bathroom? You had to leave the cottage and go out to the veranda and turn right. At first it was only a once piece facility with the motor for the pump inside the room. Later a sink and shower were added. For many years, the veranda was not enclosed and you always feared that you might meet a skunk during evening or night time visits.

When my parents purchased the cottage, it had a small porch with an entrance to the cottage that faced the water. This was later enlarged. One summer, either 1968 or 1969, my dad decided that an addition should be added to expand the living area. This meant the end of the front porch and entryway. Needless to say, my mother was not happy.

In front of cottage, Bob, Janet Marion, Ted and Nancy Iles ca 1958.

Sauble Beach is a beautiful sandy beach that stretches for about seven miles. It has spectacular sunsets over Lake Huron.

When we were teenagers, we would walk to what was called the entrance about two miles away where the stores were located and the roller rink. I tried roller skating once but it was fun to see who was there, to watch the skaters and to listen to the music. Sauble Beach also had a dance pavilion. The one I remember was from the sixties. Most nights there was something going on - movies, teen dances, barn dances, bingo and other dances with popular bands.

The cottage next to us to the south, had friends from town. On rainy days, we'd gather in one of the cottages to read, chat, play games or to colour.

Some summers, we'd spent many days there with my dad commuting back and forth to work.

To see some examples of the spectacular sunsets check these postings Sunset 1, Sunset 2, Sunset 3

A walk before sunset to get an ice-cream was always a favourite. You'd sit on a log or just walk slowly back, licking the ice-cream while you watched the sun set. If you were lucky, there was a beautiful afterglow.

We enjoyed many happy summers at the cottage.

Other postings about Sauble Beach -- Bathing Beauties? and Swimsuit edition 2009

To read about and see photos of the pavilion Sauble Beach pavilion in book Let's Dance

Summer Vacations - Canadian Carnival of Genealogy

With two carnivals with due dates close to each other talking about summer vacations, I will focus this posting for the Canadian Carnival of Genealogy on vacations at Manitoulin Island and the other will be about vacations at Sauble Beach.

My mother came from Manitoulin Island. Born a "haweater" she was, so it was natural that summer vacation trips were to Manitoulin Island. We started to travel there when we were young. I imagine after our family had its own car.

I can recall that the trip to Tobermory from Owen Sound was an adventure. To catch the 7 o'clock ferry meant an early departure time from home. The children would leave home in our pajamas. My dad rigged up "a bed" in the back seat with crates and likely blankets to make it like a "double" bed. This, of course, was before the days of seat belts.

The roads were quite windy in the early years with lots of twists and turns through forested areas. As we got closer to Tobermory, my parents would be hoping that we would get in the line for the ferry with enough time to get us in to our clothes before it was time to load the boat. As I remember it, you had to be there before 6 a.m. to keep your guarantee of a reservation.

The next part of the adventure was the crossing on the ferry. Passengers walked up the stairs, while the drivers drove the vehicles on. During the years we travelled back and forth as a family, there were several that travelled this route -- the Normac, Norgoma and Norisle. Most of our trips were on the Norisle. When these ferries were retired, the Chi-cheemaun became a faster way to travel between the mainland and the island.

The Norisle had state rooms. We often booked one. Once my sister and I went up with our great aunt Grace and her husband to attend a cousin's wedding. We went up the night before the sailing and slept on the boat overnight. That was fun!

Sometimes the waters of Lake Huron were rough. The trip was longer than it is now.

When we arrived at South Bay Mouth, an announcement called for the drivers to go down to the car deck to prepare for the arrival at South Bay Mouth. The passengers walked off and waited to be picked up.

We were almost there. We travelled the windy roads to Mindemoya. Now my memory is foggy on where we stayed each time we went. I recall most often staying with my Aunt Winnie, but a visit there would include time spent with my grandparents while they were still living and at my Uncle Ross' farm. I have lots of cousins who are around our age.

The Iles and Cox families at the Cox farm. Of all the children only my brother Ted and I are facing the camera.
L to R in back Ted Iles in the arms of Bob Iles, Marion Iles, Art Cox and Winnie Cox
front row Tom Cox, Janet Iles, Nancy Iles and Valerie Cox.


First Cousins - Hal Love and Janet Iles

It has been 13 years since I last visited the Manitoulin Island. I wonder what changes I would find if I returned to visit?

They worked hard for their money - Smile for the Camera

Photo taken in 1937 at Turner's Meat Market in Owen Sound on 2nd Avenue East
In the photo are Charlie Boorman, Roy Turner, Bob Iles and Gord Waghorn. My father was 21 in this photo. Original in the possesion of Janet Iles.

In 1934, Turner Brothers who were cattle drovers opened a meat store. Charlie Boorman had already agreed to be manager and they asked my dad to go also. Both had been working at Dominion. At first, my dad did everything, including some delivering. His duties included ordering, cutting meat, making sausage, cleaning fowl and counter selling.

What he liked doing was Friday afternoon dressing the window in large marble slab and hanging quarters of beef, lambs, and turkeys on the rail for backstop. Roy Turner, Charles Boorman, Gordon Waghorn, Bill McDonough, his brothers Wilf and Cliff, Mark Nicholson and others worked at Turners. They were paid about $12.00 a week.

My dad left Turner's Meat Market when he joined the Perth Regiment in September 1939 where pay was $10.00 a day with room and board.

The above information was found on a piece of paper found amongst the photographs.

Update: The Turners were Roy and William and the market according to the city directories was called Turner Brothers.

Wordless Wednesday (almost) - photos from Barrie gardens

These photos are of a beautiful garden on a hillside. Many hours/years of work went into this garden. Photos taken June 2009

Wordless Wednesday - Happy Canada Day

photos taken on Barrie Garden Tour 2009