Tombstone Tuesday~George ARMSTRONG - Inistioge, County Kilkenny, Ireland & Inistioge, Grey County, Ontario, Canada

Inistioge United Church Cemetery,

Proton Township, Grey County, Ontario

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF

GEO. ARMSTRONG

Who died   . . . . . . . . . . . .

JULY 29, 1867

Aged 70 years

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SARAH FREACHAN

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EDWARD FREACHAN

Died July 12 1867

Aged 95 years

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Natives of Inistioge

Co. KILLKENNY IRELAND

W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . and open'd Mercy's door

. . . . . . . . . . with Faith eternal.

NOTE: The dotted lines represent inscription that was illegible.

County Killkenny should be spelled Kilkenny.

I have no information on Sarah and Edward FREACHAN.

---

CANADA WEST / Grey (county) 84 Artemesia Township p. 7d, 8a, (15).

TAKEN UNDER THE ACT 14TH & 15TH Vict. Chap. 40 George ARMSTRONG ENUMERATOR.

Line   9  George Armstrong, Builder & Carpenter, Born Ireland, Wesleyan Methodist, Age 61
Line 10  Margaret Armstrong, ------------- Born Ireland, Wesleyan Methodist, Age 58
Line 11  Frederick Armstrong, Carpenter, Born Ireland, Wesleyan Methodist, Age 30
Line 12  Henry Armstrong, Carpenter, Born Ireland, Wesleyan Methodist, Age 23
Line 13  Mary Ann Armstrong, --------- Born Ireland, Wesleyan Methodist, Age 19
Line 14  John W. Armstrong, Carpenter, Born Ireland, Wesleyan Methodist, Age 10

Line 50  W. Hill, Rev, Wesleyan Minister, Born Ireland, Wesleyan Methodist, Age 33

---

The Census is recorded in a beautiful flowing legible handwriting.

Of interest: John W, the youngest son is listed as a carpenter even though he is only 10 years. Like father, like sons! Also, if John W was born in Ireland, then the family had to have left Ireland between 1842 and 1850.

There is evidence that George and his family had arrived in Inistioge in the late 1840's. George is also attributed with being the 'father' of Inistioge, County Grey, Ontario.

I just happened to notice that the Wesleyan Minister was included on the page of the Census.

---

As mentioned before, George ARMSTRONG and his family were lifelong friends of my ancestors the ACHESON family. Both families had emigrated from Ireland in the late 1840's. George's son Henry is mentioned in the ACHESON Family History 1850-1950, (page 11).
Both families lived in the small pioneer community of Inistioge.

The ACHESON Family History 1850-1950, (page 11) shows that the Christina and William ACHESON lived on a farm across the road from the little log church - the Methodist Church - from 1856 to 1863. In 1863 they family moved to their final destination, a homestead about one mile away.

ACHESON families still own some the property 160 years later. There were five lots that the ACHESON families occupied. Four were situated at an intersection that was dubbed "Enniskillen Corners" after the eldest family members that emigrated from Ireland in 1850.

As the years passed, the younger generations called it "ACHESON Corners."

That's another story!!

Black Sheep Sunday ~ Jail House Census!

From "Mother Goose" 1901

W. W. Denslow 1856-1915

I've been researching George ARMSTRONG and his family. Henry ARMSTRONG is mentioned in our ACHESON family history. I thought Henry might be George's son.

First I searched for Henry and found him in the 1851/1852 Census Canada. Using the "split view,' I'm able to see the original handwritten documents.

To my surprise the heading is "Name of Inmate" rather than just "Name." Included on this page are are 50 names which include 6 or 7 families with their children.
How curious! Have they all been arrested or is the jail being used for additional housing?

Since there was an influx of settlers at that time, perhaps there was nowhere else for them to live.

Henry ARMSTRONG is shown as the Enumerator.
All entries in a lovely legible flowing script.

---

TAKEN UNDER THE ACT 14TH & 15TH Vict. Chp. 40
Henry Armstrong ENUMERATOR.

1852 CANADA WEST/Grey (county)/95 Proton - see Sub-district 92; p. 7d, 8a, (15)

Henry ARMSTRONG, Carpenter, Born Ireland, Wesleyan Methodist, Age 24.

---

Other listings of interest:

Mary A. Hind, Born "On Sea." Wesleyan Methodist, Age 20
(She is listed by herself, there is no other HIND listed with her.
Her parents would have been aboard a ship sailing to Canada in 1832.)

Hugh Hodgins, Weaver, Born Scotland, Wesleyan Methodist, Age 31.

The fun and free vocabulary game for all ages.
An easy way to give and make a difference.

Sunday Services ~ Bethel United Church, Proton Township, Grey County, Ontario

Bethel United Church, Proton Station

Proton Township, Grey County, Ontario ~ Built 1896

The little Church still stands today and is opened to the occasional special Service.

It was originally the Bethel Methodist Church. In 1925, the Methodist Church of Canada, the Congregational Union of Canada, seventy percent  of the Presbyterian Churches in Canada and the small General Council of Union Churches amalgamated to form the United Church of Canada.  SOURCE: United Church of Canada, internet search.  

The Bethel (Methodist) United Church was built in 1896, some 45 years after the Inistioge (Methodist) United Church. In 1851, that first Methodist Church at Inistioge was built of logs. It is likely that that log Church was built by George ARMSTONG, who was a builder and carpenter. His three sons, Frederick ages 30, Henry age 23 and John W. age 10 are all listed as carpenters in the 1851/1852 Canada Census. They were likely assisted by their pioneering neighbours. The log Church was replaced with a brick one 20 years later, The last service at the Inistioge United Church was held in 1961 and dismantled in shortly after. The bricks sold to a farmer to build a machine shed.

These two little Churches served the community of the earliest settlers, which included my 2nd great grandparents, Christina (FALLIS) and William ACHESON; my great grandparents, Mary Jane ACHESON and Christopher JOHNSTON; and my grandfather George Albert JOHNSTON/JOHNSON.

My Grandfather left the family homestead in about 1898.

EXCERPT FROM THE ACHESON FAMILY ~ 1850 - 1950:

         Christina (FALLIS) and William ACHESON:

The true spirit of adventure was theirs, and with their two-year old son [born November 1851] they travelled northward [on foot] by forest paths, and settled on Lot 205, Range 2, Artemesia. . . . Here two other children were born, John [June 1854] and Mary Jane [born October 1856 my great grandmother]. They then moved to the farm opposite Inistioge Church on the Toronto-Sydenham Road (now Highway 10). . . .

"Here at Inistioge the Achesons enjoyed the rich friendship of their near neighbours, the Henry Armstrong family -- a friendship still retained by the surviving members of these two families after a lapse of nearly one hundred years. Here, too, in the old log church, under the preaching of a Rev. Mr. Green, and the influence of the Holy Spirit, they gave their hearts to the Savior. Consequently, they endeavoured to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, they, themselves, living consistent Christian lives." -- Aunt Kate.

[Aunt Kate is Catherine, youngest daughter, born August 1867.]

SOURCE: The Acheson Family 1850-1950; self published 1951;

family committee of ten; page 11.

NOTE: The Toronto Grey & Bruce "TG&B" Railway line to this Northern community was built in 1873.

As mentioned before, George ARMSTRONG was also one of the earliest settlers in this small community.

George died 29 July 1867, age 79. He is buried at the Inistioge United Church Cemetery.

The 1851/1852 Census Canada records show George, carpenter, age 61 (born 1791 in Inistioge, County Kilkenny, Ireland)  with his wife, Margaret, and four children, including son Henry, carpenter, age 23, (born in 1829 in Inistioge, County  Kilkenny, Ireland.
All are born in Ireland and are Wesleyan Methodists.

2010 Copyright © Carole Gates

Inistioge, County Kilkenny, Ireland

Ancient bridge on the River Nore, County Kilkenny, Ireland

SOURCE: Wikipedia - public domain

CANADA:

Inistioge, County Kilkenny Ireland is the birthplace of George ARMSTRONG, who emigrated to Canada sometime before 1850. George died in 1867 aged 79 years and is buried in the little United (Methodist) Church Cemetery at Inistioge, Grey County, Ontario. The Cemetery is now 170 years old.

As mentioned in the previous post, George was the 'father' of Inistioge,  Grey County, Ontario. A hamlet in the area of Ontario where many of the Irish immigrants settled in the eary 1850's.

IRELAND:

Inistioge is a scenic and historic village in County Kilkenny, South East Ireland. Know as the "Jewel of the South." It was the location for the filming of "Circle of Friends" and "Widow's Peak." Hollywood Ireland!

LINKS:

INISTIOGE, IRELAND : http://www.inistioge.ie/ 

Site includes beautiful photos as well as visitor and  local information.

LOOK AROUND IRELAND: http://www.lookaroundireland.com/ 

Extensive site with travel and history.  Includes Genealogy.

IRISH GENEALOGY: http://www.lookaroundireland.com/genealogy.php 

Includes Irish Diaspora and The Great Famine: 1845-1850.

2010 Copyright © Carole Gates

Inistioge, Canada and Ireland

Hello from Canada to Inistioge, County Kilkenny, Ireland. ;-)

I've recently been in contact with a visitor who left a comment about a post regarding the "Inistioge United Church Cemetery, Inistioge, Proton Township, Grey County, Ontario.

Hi, I am facinated to see that there is a little place in Ontario called Inistioge, named after the one in Co. Kilkenny, Ireland. I am from Inistioge, Ireland and would love to find out the name of the founder that travelled from our little village. I would appreciate any information that anyone may have. My email address is rayslocalnews@yahoo.ie Thank you. Ray.

So I thought that I would collect what information I have about Inistioge, Proton Topwnship, Grey County, Ontario and put it together here.

HISTORY: GHOST TOWNS OF ONTARIO ~ INISTIOGE

Inistioge was born in 1851 and died in 1971. Its father was a George Armstrong who fled his native village of Inistioge in Ireland for a better life in Canada. It too was a stopping place along the Toronto-Sydenham Road, a resting place for weary travelers. Armstrong donated a portion of his land for use by a Wesleyan church and the early settlers quickly built a small log chapel. Twenty years later it was replaced with a small red brick building. The hamlet might have flourished had it not been for the railroad locating its station closer to Proton, a village just a mile away. The last building to survive was the church. Its last service took place in January, 1961 and was dismantled shortly afterwards. REMAINS: All that survives today is the cemetery and commerative plaque that proclaims: "Inistioge ~ 1851 - 1971" 

SOURCES: HOME PAGE: http://www.ghosttowns.com/bottomcanada.html 

INISTIOGE PAGE: http://www.ghosttowns.com/canada/ontario/inistioge.html

---

Inistioge United Church Cemetery ~

Proton Township, Grey County, Ontario ~ 1851-1971
1851-2010 = 159 years

SOURCE:

http://www.ontarioobits.com/genealogy/cemetery/GreyCountyCemeteries.htm

The Church was originally Methodist, until the amalgamation of the Methodist, Presbyterian (2/3) and Congregational Churches across Canada in 1925.

From what I can determine, these grave markers were gathered together at the location of the little Church in order to preserve this cemetery site. There are 47 markers, the earliest date I see is 1856 and the latest date is 1942. However, several of the markers (8) are so worn that the dates cannot be read. It appears that the oldest stones (14) are the ones lying flat in the front row, along with the two that are for children. The gray one on the left is too worn to read, but has a little lamb on the top of it. The white one on the right is for the three ACHESON children that I have posted about before. The ACHESON families are my ancestors.

May 18, 2010
Thanks to Janet Iles for her comment providing the following information:

"In my information on the Inistioge United Church, (originally Methodist) was not torn down when the church closed in 1961. The church shed, where the horses had been tied in early days, was purchased by a farmer. William Crockford removed the bricks from the church building and he hauled it away to become a machine shed."

2010 Copyright © Carole Gates

I'm taking a break from blogging.

I'm taking a break for the next few weeks while I get a treatment for my chronic and severe neck and shoulder pain.

The treatment is over four to five weeks. I'll check in to give a progress report. Here's hoping!

Tombstone Tuesday ~ JOHNSTON Family ~ 1872 to 1942 - 72 Years ~ Grey County, Ontario ~ Part Two

Christopher JOHNSTON Family Tombstone

1872 to 1941 ~ 70 years

Flesherton Cemetery

Artemnesia Township, 
Grey County, Ontario

W. H. JOHNSTON

DIED 1942

AGED 75 YRS.

William Henry JOHNSTON was the son of  Margaret SCOTT and Christopher JOHNSTON. "Will" did not marry.

GEORGE A.

FOGARTY

DIED 1939

AGED 79 YRS.

George Armour FOGARTY was the husband of Christina Maude, the daughter of Mary Jane ACHESON

and Christopher JOHNSTON.

C. M. JOHNSTON

WIFE OF

GEO. FOGARTY

DIED 1925

AGED 45 YRS.

Christina Maude JOHNSTON was the daughter of Mary Jane ACHESON and Christopher JOHNSTON.

J. J. JOHNSTON

DIED JAN 9TH 1923

AGED 39 YRS.

John James JOHNSTON was the son of Mary Jane ACHESON and Christopher JOHNSTON. "Jimmy" did not marry.

 THE FAMILY OF CHRISTOPHER JOHNSTON

Christopher JOHNSTON 1841 - 1925 *
Margaret SCOTT 1840 - 1872 *
Children:
     Jane Ann 1863 - 1899 *
     Margaret Marie 1865 - 1935
     William Henry 1867 - 1942 *
     Katherine Kelso 1868 - 1923
     Mary Eileen 1870 - 1899*
     Infant born and died 1871

Mary Jane ACHESON 1856 - 1901 *
Children:
     George Albert 1875 - 1964 ~~ my Grandfather
     Alice Victoria 1877 - 1938
     Christopher 1879 - 1956
     Christina Maud 1882 - 1925 *
     John James 1883 - 1923 *
     Joseph Samuel 1886 - 1954
     Eva Mae 1889 - 1974
     Robert Edgar 1891 - 1975
     Infant
     Carlotta Lillian 1895 - 1986
* Family members buried here at Flesherton Cemetery.
Including George Armour FOGARTY, Christina Maude's husband. 

After the untimely death of Mary Jane, Christopher married Agnes WRIGHT in 1907. Agnes was born in 1863 and died in 1933, eight years after Christopher's passing in 1925.

Christopher JOHNSTON was my great grandfather and Mary Jane ACHESON was my great grandmother.

Photographs courtesy of a great granddaughter of Jane Ann (JOHNSTON) TAYLOR, received by email October 2009.

SOURCES: Family records and personal knowledge of my Mother.

NOTE: See post "Sentimental Sunday" May 23rd for the other two sides/faces of the JOHNSTON family tombstone.  

2010 Copyright © Carole Gates

Surname Saturday ~ JOHNSON - A story of survival.

George Albert JOHNSON

Born 1875 - Died 1964 - Aged 89 years 3 months

 George is 85 years old in this photograph.

George Albert JOHNSON was my maternal Grandfather.

"PRAIRIE FIRES"

"Always a source of worry and of fear, a prairie fire caused great concern among the very early homesteaders. The first such fire to cross this particular area was in the fall of 1905. As remembered from conversation by those who were here, it appeared to have started not too far west.


In the long thick grass of many years it swept forward at tremendous speed. Flames rose 20 to 25 feet in the air with thickening acrid smoke. Unfortunate was the odd settler who did not have an excellent fire guard.


One neighbor who witnessed and survived the fire was George Johnson. He had gone west over a mile from their own sod house to see about a fire guard of another settler, James McCracken, when it overtook him on the way home. There was only one salvation - to run through the fire to burned over ground. In so doing he carried scars of that episode to the end.  .  .  ."

SOURCE: LOOKING BACK - The History of the Milden Community; 1905-1965. Published by: The Milden Historical Committee, 1966. Page 14.

In 1969, this 150 page book was given to my parents by one of my father's first cousins. The Village of Milden and the surrounding farming community is where my parents grew up.

NOTE: The fall of 1905 would have been just months after George, his wife Emma (CLARK) and their first two children arrived by wagon on the barren prairies to claim their homestead. George would have been 30 years old; Emma 26 years; Gordon Clark 4 1/2 years; and Mary `Mae` Jane 3 years old. Two more children were born in the sod house. Florence Irene born 1906 and Clifford Fallis born early 1908.

In the spring/summer of 1905 they would have built their first home, the sod house. The family lived in the sod house 3 years, until 1908 when they built the wood frame/cedar house that was their house for the rest of their lives.

This must have been a frightening experience for George and his young family.

Also, over the years, I heard the story of "Grandpa and the prairie fire" as told by my Mother. Although Grandpa did have some scars, fortunately he was not disfigured. As children and young adults, he looked fine to us!

SOD HOUSE IN SASKATCHEWAN ~ 190?

SOURCE: Wikipedia.org -  
This United States Congress image is in the Public Domain.

Wikipedia.org

Notice the very fancy hats that the two women standing in the center are wearing.
One with a 'bunch' of pink flowers. The other has a hat matching her purple dress.

However, I think this photo has had the colour added, that prairie grass just looks too green!

Wikipedia.org article on the history of Sod Houses

UPDATED: Sunday, May 30th 2010 with images from Wikipedia.org. 

2010 - copyright © Carole Gates

Follow Friday ~ Blogs To Visit

I'm the happy recipient of the "Ancestor Approved Award" initiated by Leslie Ann Ballou of Ancestors Live Here .


My thanks to Lisa Wallen Logsdon of Old Stones Undeciphered 
for choosing my blog as a recipient.






List of blogs I've passed the Award on to. All worth visiting:

Grave Yard Rabbit-Grey County - Janet
We Tree - Amy
Grave Yard Travels Wright - Diane W
Canada Genealogy - Jane's Your Aunt - Diane W
Gen Wish List - Tina
Delia's Genealogy Blog - Delia
Linda's Flipside - Linda
Irish Family Research - Deborah
The Family Curator - Denise


My surprises:
2003 - The very first time I found some of my Mother's family online while doing research for her 90th birthday.

The email address of a third cousin that I found at the same time.

The package of information from the same cousin. Included were a family history booklet, photos and census records.
 
Another package of information from a first cousin in 2003. Included photos, funeral cards, postcards, etc.

I was so pleased to be able to show this information to my Mom on her 90th birthday. Before she passed in the summer of 2004, at age 91, I was able to share many moments reminiscing with her.

My Mother told me that my paternal grandmother was the eldest of 10 siblings, two of which had died. My surprise was to find that Grandma actually had 12 siblings. Three died within 2 years of each other. Two died in 1894, ages 4 years 6 months and 2 years 9 months. One died in 1893, age 3 months.  So she was the eldest of 10 surviving siblings. Mom was partly correct!!

In 2009, I started to research again and was amazed at the wealth of information available 6 years later.

In 2010, I started a blog. Again, amazed and delighted to find so many bloggers and family researchers online.

Fascinating stories, useful research tips, creative and talented people. Thanks to all for inspiration.

2010 - copyright © Carole Gates

Tombstone Tuesday ~ JOHNSTON Family ~ 1872 to 1942 ~ 70 Years ~ Grey County, Ontario ~ Part One

JOHNSTON Family Tombstone
1872 to 1942 ~ 70 years

Flesherton Cemetery

Artemnesia Township, Grey County, Ontario

MARGARET 

WIFE OF 

C. JOHNSTON

DIED MAY 24TH 1872

AGED 31 YRS

Margaret SCOTT, born 1840 in Scotland, married Christopher JOHNSTON 1863 in Ontario, died 1872, aged 31 years.

MARY J.

WIFE OF 

C. JOHNSTON

DIED OCT 9TH 1901

AGED 45 YRS

Mary Jane ACHESON, born 1856 in Ontario, married Christopher JOHNSTON 1874, died 1901, aged 45 years.

JANE A. TAYLOR

DIED OCT 5TH 1899

AGED 36 YRS

Jane Ann (JOHNSTON) TAYLOR, daughter of Margaret SCOTT and Christopher JOHNSTON, born 1863, died 1899, aged 36 years.

MARY E. TAIT

DIED AUG 27TH 1899

AGED 29 YRS

Mary Eileen (JOHNSTON) TAIT, daughter of Margaret SCOTT and Christopher JOHNSTON, born 1870, died 1899, aged 29 years.

CHRISTOPHER 

JOHNSTON

DIED FEB 3RD 1925
AGED 83 YRS

Christopher JOHNSTON, born 1841 in Ontario, died 1925, aged 83 years.
Beloved father, father-in-law, grand father, great grandfather.

Christopher JOHNSTON was my great grandfather and Mary Jane ACHESON was my great grandmother.

There are two more faces/sides naming  four more family members, for a total of nine interments at this family site.

Photographs courtesy of a great granddaughter of Jane Ann (JOHNSTON) TAYLOR, received by email October 2009.

2010 - copyright © Carole Gates

Sentimental Sunday ~ JOHNSTON Siblings

~ Johnston ~

Yesterday, Surname Saturday, I posted about my Great Grandfather Christopher JOHNSTON's children to his first wife, Margaret SCOTT. Margaret was born in 1840 in Scotland, married Christopher in 1863 in Ontario, and after the birth of six children, died in 1872 after a ten-day illness.

Today I'm posting about his second wife, Mary Jane ACHESON. Mary Jane was born in 1856 in Ontario, she and Christopher were married December 1874 in Ontario. When she married Christopher he had been a widower for two years and seven months. 

Mary Jane was just 18 years old when she married Christopher and became the step-mother to his five children between the ages of 11 and 4 years. She and Christopher had ten children born between 1875 and 1895, a span of twenty years. My maternal Grandfather, George Albert, was their first born.

Tragically, in 1901, Mary Jane contracted Typhoid Fever while nursing my Grandfather George, his wife Emma and their 8 month old son.

"This kind and affectionate sister - this devoted wife and mother has gone to her reward. Her decease was caused by Typhoid Fever contracted while nursing her son, George, and his wife [Emma], who were living in Saulte Saint Marie on August 29th, came home on September 29th, and went to Heaven, October 10th, 1901, one day before her 45th birthday." SOURCE: The ACHESON Family ~ 1850-1950; self-published.

Christopher JOHNSTON 1841 - 1925
Margaret SCOTT 1840 - 1872
Children:
     Jane Ann 1863 - 1899
     Margaret Marie 1865 - 1935
     William Henry 1867 - 1942
     Katherine Kelso 1868 - 1923
     Mary Eileen 1870 - 1899
     Infant born and died 1871

Mary Jane ACHESON 1856 - 1901
Children:
     George Albert 1875 - 1964 ~~ my Grandfather
     Alice Victoria 1877 - 1938
     Christopher 1879 - 1956
     Christina Maud 1882 - 1925
     John James 1883 - 1923
     Joseph Samuel 1886 - 1954
     Eva Mae 1889 - 1974
     Robert Edgar 1891 - 1975
     Infant
     Carlotta Lillian 1895 - 1986

After the untimely death of Mary Jane, Christopher married Agnes WRIGHT in 1907. Agnes was born in 1863 and died in 1933, eight years after Christopher's passing in 1925.

SOURCES: Family records and personal knowledge of my Mother.

2010 - copyright © Carole Gates

Surname Saturday ~ JOHNSTON Siblings

~ Johnston ~

My maternal great grandfather, Christopher JOHNSTON, had sixteen children in all. The eldest six were with his first wife, Margaret SCOTT.

Margaret was born in 1840 in Scotland. Christopher and Margaret were married February 1863 in Ontario. In 1872, after just nine years of marriage, she died at the age of 32 years. Records show that she had a succumbed to a serious illness after being sick for ten days. At the time of Margaret's death, their children were between he ages of 7 years and 2 years old.

Their children were: Jane Ann 1863-1899; Margaret Marie 1865-1935; William Henry 1867-1942; Katherine Kelso 1868-1923; Mary Eileen 1870-1899; and an infant that was born and died in 1871.

SOURCES: Family records and personal knowledge of my Mother.

2010 - copyright © Carole Gates

Follow Friday ~ Library and Archives Canada

Isn't she lovely!

"A Girl From Canada"

"Woman costumed by H. M Murray, the Canadian Government Agent in Exeter, England, to advertise prosperity in Canada in a parade, 1907."

Published in Sometimes a Great Nation: A Photo Album of Canada 1850-1925, by Edward Cavell, 1984. Plate 145, NPC-007, p. 157 P. 343 in "Treasures of the National Archives of Canada / Trésors des Archives nationales du Canada" - ISBN 2-921114-75-5 
NOTES:  USE/REPRODUCTION: Restrictions on Use/reproductions: NIL - Copyright: Expired - Credit: T. A. Chandler/Library and Archives Canada/C-0063256  


This is an extensive site with resources such as: 


Genealogy and Family History; 
Portrait Collection; 
Aboriginal Peoples;  
Art and Photography; 
Military and Peace Keeping; 
Censuses; 
Ethno-Cultural Groups; 
Exploration and Settlements; and 
Educational Resources. 


It also features Collections Canada and ArchiviaNet: On-line Research Tool.


Use, reproduction and copyright are clearly explained and noted.


Easy to spend a lot of time here! 

Treasure Chest Thursday ~ CDV Album ~ Young Man

Photographed by 

D. B. RUGG,

Main Street, Hiawatha, Kas.

Old photos copied and enlarged.

Circa 1890-1900.

 
Here's another CDV photograph from my Grandmother's album.

As far as I can determine my ancestors were farmers. It was common for the photographer to have clothes available for clients to wear. The jacket does look a little big. Perhaps this is the case for this handsome young man or he's in his "Sunday best."

The photo is a thin paper mounted on card stock. Measures 2 1/2" x 4" with the photographer's logo stamped on the backside.

This size became the standard and fit into the slotted pages of the little bible-sized albums.

It seems that part of the reason for this particular design of the album was related to the practice of keeping family births, marriages and deaths in the family bible. These CDV albums became a suitable pictorial companion to the family bible.

The small and simple name stamp of the photographer evolved into elegant and elaborate graphic designs for the logo. These logos became a work of art unto themselves. They were popular from the late 1880's in the  into the early 1900's, up to about 1908. Great advertising for the photographers of the day!

I've searched for D. B. RUGG, photographer, but haven't found anything yet.

A map of Kansas shows the Hiawatha and Beattie, where my father was born, are about 80 to 90 miles apart on Highway #36, which runs East and West, just a little south of the Kansas and Nebraska State line.

Also, Hiawatha is just a little South and West of Sabetha (Highway #75 runs North and South) where my Grandmother's MILLER family lived.

Records for my Grandmother's MILLER family, show that they were living in Sabetha, Kansas from 1887 until her father's death in 1930.

The style of the carte de visite photograph and the information from our family records helps to date this little photo.

2010 - copyright © Carole Gates

Wordless Wednesday ~ Not Graveyard Rabbits!

These sweet Easter rabbits are a water colour painted by my Mom in 1922 when she was about 9 years old in grade 4 or 5.

2010 - copyright © Carole Gates

Tombstone Tuesday ~ Lavender Cemetery, Nottawasaga Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

Lavender Cemetery ~ 1880

Nottawasaga Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

What a great photo, looks like a perfect day for a cemetery stroll, with a camera of course!

This is another small cemetery from the OntarioObits.com site. This link includes Dufferin County and surrounding Counties of Grey, Peel, Simcoe and Wellington.

I see that there are four or more JOHNSTON grave markers here. I will be going back to do further research to verify relatives and/or ancestors of my mother.

A special thank you to Dennis Kaufman and the dedicated volunteers that have made this resource available since 2004. Updated May 2010.

Visit the main page for the list of volunteers and their contact information at OntarioObits.com