52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks #13 This Old Homestead

"This house was originally owned by Mirchouse Key (Sandfield Con. 6 Lot 13) on what is known as Key's Commons. When the Key family moved to North Dakota in 1889 the house was sold - dismantled by James Love and erected in 1891 on the home farm in Carnarvon." [1]

This photo is one that I have of my great-grandparents' home on the Manitoulin in Carnarvon Township. In later years, my Uncle Ross and his family lived there. It is while they lived there that I visited many times. 

This house was across the lane from the house where my mother lived until she left to come to southern Ontario to finish her education. She spent a lot of time at the above home with her grandmother and great aunt Margaret.

[1] posting in Facebook, January 15, 2017, "Central Manitoulin Historical Society"

© 2018 Janet Iles

House Histories: an upcoming presentation

When I wrote about the first house I lived in when I was a little girl, back in 2011, I didn't  know that my parents didn't own the building. I learned that when I was preparing for a talk on house histories that I gave earlier this year at the library. 

The Google street view photo is showing 697 but 699 8th Street East is the correct address (the first house). The photo that is currently showing is the view of when the road was under construction. The work is now complete. If you go to the Google page, you can select a different year.

The talk on October 25th will encourage genealogists/family historians to do some house history research of their home(s) or that of an ancestor to enhance and put into context their family history. All are welcome to attend.

The house above is the Squire House in Derby Township of the Municipality of Georgian Bluffs, Ontario. 


© 2016 Janet Iles

House Histories: an upcoming presentation

When I wrote about the first house I lived in when I was a little girl back in 2011, I didn't  know that my parents didn't own the building. I learned that when I was preparing for a talk on house histories that I gave earlier this year at the library. 

The Google street view photo is showing 697 but 699 8th Street East is the correct address (the first house). The photo that is currently showing is the view of when the road was under construction. The work is now complete. If you go to the Google page, you can select a different year.

The talk on October 25th will encourage genealogists/family historians to do some house history research to enhance and put into context the story of their home(s) or that of one of their ancestors. All are welcome to attend.

The house above is the Squire House in Derby Township of the Municipality of Georgian Bluffs, Ontario. 


© 2016 Janet Iles

My First Home - 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History

My first home was above our corner grocery store. I lived there until the end of grade two. In the photo above is my sister holding me on her knee. It was taken during the winter of 1951. Straight behind us is the entrance to the apartment. Stairs led upstairs to where we lived.

 I remember a few things about the place. It was a one bedroom apartment. The bedroom was small. It eventually held the three children. A bunk bed and a single bed were in the room. Outside that room was a hallway area where there was a daybed. It was there my great aunt Margaret would sleep when she came to visit. My parents slept on a sofa bed. I can't remember where the bathroom was located. There was a fairly good sized kitchen.  - To my siblings - Have I remembered it correctly?

We also had an attic where we could go to play. It was also used as a storage area.
We had good neighbours and there were many children our age so we didn't lack for playmates. A special bonus was that my paternal grandparents lived across the street.

Below is what the building looks like today from a Google map street view. For a number of years, it was a doctor's office with apartments above. I don't know what is on the main floor but there are apartments in this building.


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There weren't traffic lights at the corner when we lived there. They were added in recent years.
© 2010 Janet Iles