Graveyard Rabbit of Grey County, Ontario

Have you visited any cemeteries recently?

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Fri, 19 May 2023 15:06:00 +0000

My answer unfortunately is no. I have always enjoyed visiting the cemeteries where my ancestors are buried. When our Iles family had a reunion in 2019, I prepared a listing of those who are buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Owen Sound.

In June, the Grey County Historical Society are visiting Greenwood Cemetery to learn about the people buried in Potter's Field or the Indigent Plot section. In December 2019, a memorial monument was placed to honour and remember the lives and passing of more than 1200 buried there. Aly Boltman, a member of the steering committee that worked on the planning for this memorial will be the guest speaker.

https://greycountyhs.ca/events.html -- All welcome to attend this program.

Tombstone Tuesday: David and Hannah Johnston

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 13:50:00 +0000

In my early years of researching my ancestors, my mother and I headed to Unionville, Ontario, (now part of the City of Markham) to see if we could locate where her great-grandparents were buried. We weren't successful in doing so. We asked a young lad working in a store, where was the cemetery for Unionville. He didn't know. Despite not locating the cemetery, we did have a very enjoyable visit to the community where they had lived.

Later, at a meeting of the Bruce-Grey Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society, we were asked at the beginning of the meeting to share what we were working on, in our family research. I mentioned my visit to Unionville to find the burial location of David Johnston and his wife Hannah Hemingway. I was in luck that day that there was a person at the meeting from that area who spoke to me after the meeting. She took my address and wrote down their names.

I didn't think anything more about it, but one day an envelope arrived with this photo of the marker.

David Johnston

Oct. 2, 1816 Nov. 6, 1892

His wife

Hannah Hemingway

Mar. 4, 1819 Oct. 13 1887

Their daughter

Caroline Johnston

Apr. 15, 1857 Apr. 20, 1877

They are buried in Hagerman East Cemetery, Markham, Ontario. We were able to go on another trip to visit this cemetery.

Tombstone Tuesday - Tragic Deaths -- Who Died?

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 19:44:00 +0000

In a small cemetery in Osprey Township, Grey County, Ontario, there is a tombstone that hints of a tragedy. The cemetery is the Methodist Cemetery, located on St. John's Street and on the east side of Grey Road 2, Feversham.

The cemetery has been inactive for years. At some point, the scattered stones, many of which were broken, were gathered together and placed in cement. This cemetery is the final resting place of the founder of this community, Edward Horton. The other stones are reminders of some early pioneers. Are there others buried there that never had stones or the stones are now missing?

Now this stone speaks of a tragedy. (stone on the right).

This is how it is transcribed in Township of Osprey: Peace, Plenty Progress (p. 408).

In memory of the children of Samuel and Mary VANMEER, who died May 31, 1875. Samuel, aged 14 and 11 months. Sarah M. aged 10 years and 5 months. Richard, aged 9 years. Rachel, May 29, 1875.How lonely has our home been made,Since death has entered there,And taken from our loved embrace,Those that held so dear."

To see other photographs of the stone, check these websites as they were taken earlier than the one above that I took in the summer of 2017.
Find-A-Grave for the Cemetery - select Samuel Vanmeer.

The stone also can be seen at Ontario Genweb's Cemetery Project Choose Ontario - Grey County - Feversham Cemetery

The Advertiser, an Owen Sound newspaper dated 10 June 1875, copied information from the [Collingwood] Enterprise gives us an idea of what happened on the night the Vanmeer siblings died.

Fire and Loss of Life

A farmer, residing in the Township of Osprey, named Van Meer, was awakened on Sunday morning at about three o'clock, by his eldest daughter, with the cry of fire. He immediately jumped out of bed, when he found nearly the whole house in flames. His first thought was his children, who slept upstairs, where he immediately went and woke them up, picking up the youngest in his arms, he rushed out, supposing that the others were following. When he had put his young charge in a place of safety, he began to look around for the others, but could not find them until after the fire was exhausted, when he discovered the charred bones of three of his children. The one was a boy, about 14, and the other two girls, aged respectively 16 and 18 years. In being awoke out of their sleep by their father, they must have become bewildered and blinded by the smoke, for instead of trying to get out of the house, they found their way into their parents rooms, which was on the ground floor, and there remained until they were smothered by the smoke.

The fire was first discovered by the eldest daughter, who slept over the kitchen, she being awoke by the intense heat in her room, when she rushed down stairs and gave the alarm. The fire had made such headway before this, however, that nothing whatever was saved, and no effort could be made to reach the missing children. The bereaved family have the deepest sympathy of the whole neighborhood, hundreds having flocked to the place as soon as the news of the dreadful affair spread. The remains of the unfortunate children were interred the same evening, followed by over fifty teams and a large number on foot. Enterprise.

The newspaper article only mentions that children died in the fire, one boy (aged 14) and two girls (aged 16 and 18). These ages don't match what is on the tombstone.

The Meaford Monitor 1 June 1875 as transcribed in Osprey Township history --

"Died in Maxwell 3 children to Mr. Van Meer. Samuel 17, Rachel 11, one younger"

Also in the same book, there is another report

"Per Alda Hawton's cemetery book, these children are buried at Feversham Wesleyan Cemetery - 3 children by fire May 31, 1875. Sam aged 14, Sarah M. aged 10, Richard aged 9. Also in same plot Robert aged 11 years died Oct. 19, 1877.

Checking the 1871 census for Osprey Township, we find the family
Samuel E. (44), Mary (43), George (21), Wm H. (20), James (18), Alfred (14), Samuel (11), Hannah (9), Sarah (8), Rachel (7) and Robert (4). Note: There is no Richard.

1875 -- Who Lived at Home?

By 1875, when the fire occurred, who lived at home?

George married Eliza Jane Lindley on 7 April 1875.

William Henry married 29 December 1875 to Sarah Jane Clark but possibly was already living away from home.

James married Elizabeth Campbell 10 March 1875.

Samuel aged 14

Hannah aged 12 -- She lives and will marry Smith Parks 28 January 1880 -- The one who gave the alert as reported in the newspaper article?

Sarah aged 11

Rachel aged 10

Robert aged 7 -- The one who was saved by his father as reported in the newspaper article.

Now looking at the death registrations using Ancestry.
Found are Samuel aged 14, Sarah aged 12 and Rachel aged 10. The date of death is reported as 29 May 1876. The date of registration is 13 July 1876. It would appear that the registrar entered ten deaths on the 13 July 1876. The deaths of the Vanmeer children are inserted among the 1876 deaths. The deaths were registered by Edward Vanmeer of Febersham. He dated his return at the bottom of the page as 15 July 1876.

Note: There is no Richard in the death registrations.

Now there are two different dates of death - The stone -- 31 May 1875 and the death registration 29 May 1876 (it was not reported until 1876, so it would be easy to have the wrong date).

From the newspaper we know that the fire occurred in 1875. The Owen Sound newspaper was published on 10 June 1875. It was likely from the Enterprise from the previous week. The article says the fire occurred on Sunday morning at 3. Checking a perpetual calendar, Sunday morning would have been 30 May.

No matter the actual date of death, the death of the children was a tragedy for the Vanmeer family and their friends.

Robert, who was the youngest was rescued, is named on another stone in the cemetery showing a death date of 19 October 1877. No death registration has been found for him.

Sources
Osprey Historical Society. Township of Osprey: Peace, Plenty, Progress, The Society, 2002, p. 408
"Fire and Loss of Life", The Advertiser, Owen Sound, 10 June 1875.
1871 Census of Canada, Ontario, Grey South (district 36), Osprey (sub-district h), division 2, p. 36, family 119, Samuel Edmund Vanmmer household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 1 September 2017), citing microfilm C-9952, p. 36, family 119, Library & Archives Canada, Ottawa.
Samuel Vanmeer Ontario death registration, #3838 (13 July 1876); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 1 September 2017), citing microfilm MS 935 Reel 12, Archives of Ontario, Toronto.
Sarah Margaret Vanmeer Ontario death registration, #3839 (13 July 1876); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 1 September 2017), citing microfilm MS 935 Reel 12, Archives of Ontario, Toronto.
Rachael Vanmeer Ontario death registration, #3840 (13 July 1876); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 1 September 2017), citing microfilm MS 935 Reel 12, Archives of Ontario, Toronto.

Cemetery Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 20:34:00 +0000

Deadline registration is September 20th

Something different on my schedule is a tour of five cemeteries in South Grey County in Grey County on Saturday, September 30 hosted by the Gentle Shepherd Church in Eugenia. I will be the tour guide.

Hear stories about the famous and every day folk who are remembered in these cemeteries.

Tickets must be purchased in advance and cost $35.00. This includes the lunch.

Tickets may be purchased through the church or the public libraries in Markdale and Flesherton, as well as at other locations mentioned on the poster. This is one way to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary of confederation. Wear practical shoes as the ground is uneven.

We will visit the Feversham Methodist Cemetery, Black Pioneer Cemetery near Priceville, McNeil Cemetery, Priceville; Flesherton Cemetery and Markdale Cemetery.

It will be a full day starting at the Church. The bus will load at 8:30 and the plan is to return back to the church around 3:30.

Williams - Stump looking monument - update

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 03:57:00 +0000

In 2009, I took a tour of the local cemetery, I saw many interesting stones. One I wrote about was one that looked like a tree stump. I have been the speaker of three talks in November at our local Museum and Archives (Grey Roots). The last one was about cemeteries. At an earlier talk, one of the attendees asked me after the talk was over about the monument at Greenwood Cemetery that looked like a tree stump. Did I know anything about it? I decided to do some more investigation to learn more as I hadn't done that originally as I had planned.

First, I checked the cemetery databases for Williams, the only word on the monument. There were a number. When I had posted the article originally, I hadn't made a note of its location. I could see in the photo that there was a road behind the stone and trees or brush behind it.

A blog reader had commented that her grandfather, David Walker Bawden, had been the stone carver and her grandparents were buried near that one. Checking again the database, I found that the stone carver and his wife were buried in the West section.

So, now I knew the Wiliams of interest were in the West section of the cemetery.

Next I checked one of the names on Ancestry by searching with the surname and the date of death as found in the database.

The search led me to Robert Williams with a link to Find-a-Grave. The poster had put two photos on the page. One was taken as a side view that showed the row marker. This would be helpful when going to look for the stone again. That I did a week ago.

I had the list of who the database indicated were buried in G-W39-12
G for Greenwood W for West Section 39 for Row and 12 for plot. I searched the database to see if there were any others listed in G-W39-12. I found one more.

So from the information in the database that goes only to 1974, I learned:

grave 5 - Mary (Mamie) Williams, aged 44, died 21 January 1917.
grave 4 - Robert, aged 88, died 24 January 1920
grave 3 - George John aged 62, died 20 December 1940
grave 2 - Florence (Frances), aged 89, died 26 October 1959.
grave 12 - Robert Myers, aged 82, died 27 March 1950.

Are there 12 graves or is there an error in the database and it should be grave 1?

Who commissioned the work for the monument? It had to be before 1950 when the stone cutter died.

Time to see if I could learn more about the people listed in the database and in the information on the Find-a-grave page.

Next to check for obituaries. I have the disks of obituaries that are part of the surname collection of the Bruce-Grey Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society.

I found an obituary for Robert Williams. He was born in Devonshire, England about 1832. He moved to Canada from England as a child with his parents and then moved from Montreal, then to Toronto, then to what was Cornabuss, now Markdale, before moving to Owen Sound. When 17, he left to work for the Grand Trunk Railway. He moved to the United States and bought property in Illinois. He returned to Canada, first to Toronto then back to Owen Sound.

He had two brothers, John and Henry both who were living in Sault Ste. Marie. Five children are mentioned in the obituary: Mrs. J. Myers of Toronto, Fannie at home, Henry of Sault Ste. Marie, Fred out West and George J. of Owen Sound.

I also found his death registration on Ancestry and his marriage to Elizabeth Wigglesworth 8 December 1854.

A search for an obituary for Robert J. Myers was successful and it indicated that he was a native of Markdale and lived about seven or eight years in Owen Sound. He was living at 406 8th Street East. He had married Minnie Williams who had been a school teacher. Mr. Myers was a builder and contractor. Mrs. Myers had died in 1942 and survived by one son, William R. Myers of Toronto.

It would be interesting to try to find the other obituaries and also to look at other cemetery records.

Note: In my presentation, I mentioned two other Williams who are also in the West section but not at the same plot section as Robert Williams and family. I mentioned that I could not find any connection to the two families. In error, I had indicated that George Wright Williams and his wife were in the same area.

Cenotaph - IOOF at Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 01:11:00 +0000

I have written previously about the IOOF cenotaph located north of the Mausoleum in Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound.

The plaque reads

In Loving Memory

Thomas Allen

George Arthur Ewens

Douglas Archibald Hay

Roy Brown McKenzie

Wesley Clarence McFaul

Charles Edgar Orford

Robert Pollock

Jonathan Rennie

James Thomson Robb

Gregor McKenzie Young

Members of

Owen Sound Lodge no. 180

Home Lodge no. 441

Who gave their lives in the cause

of Freedom in the Great War

1914-1918

Erected IOOF and Rebekahs

MacKinnon - MacNicol at Ayton Cemetery - a Magnificent Monument

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 23:31:00 +0000

Click image above to enlarge.

This monument is not only interesting because of its grandeur, but it is also a gem for a family historian because of the information engraved on the stone. The information provides pointers for finding more records and information. Just because the information is engraved in stone, it may not be 100% correct. The monument is found at the Ayton Union Cemetery, Ayton, Grey County, Ontario.

On the front side

In Memory of

Maysie

beloved wife of

John Ritchie MacNicol

and only daughter of the late

Duncan and Dorthea MacKinnon

who departed this life

September 22nd 1932

"To be with Christ is far better"

Also

John Ritchie MacNicol, LLD

son of the late William and Harriet E. MacNicol

Born at Beaverton, Ontario

August 31st 1878

and passed away at Toronto

June 18th 1950

"Herein did he exercise always to have a conscience void of offence

towards God and towards men"

On one side is a long description of the work of John.

John R. MacNicol was an [sic] MP for twenty

years. He was recognized as the great

advocate for the preservation of our

natural resources. He knew the worth of

all rivers in Western Canada for

irrigation purposes. Was responsible

for the conception of a great dam on

the south Saskatchewan River

Through his friendship with Jack Miner

of Kingsville and his bird sanctuary

he piloted the bill through Parliament

by which Canada observes Wild Life Week

by Act of Parliament

His Sister Maude

On another side Maysie's brother, Duncan, is remembered.

In memory of

Duncan

Son of the late

Duncan and Dorothea MacKinnon

born September 1, 1876

Entered into rest March 23 1929

"He shall abide before God for ever."

Maysie was born according to her death registration 8 August 1878. She taught school until she married John MacNicol. According to John's birth registration, he was born in Thorah Township, 31 August 1877. This is one year earlier than the date on the monument. John taught school at SS #9 Normanby.

They moved to Toronto. John and Maysie were married 6 January 1915 in Toronto. At the time of their marriage, John was listed as a manager.

When she became ill in February 1932, Maysie left her home in Toronto and returned to the family farm. She died 22 September 1932. She was 54 years old. The funeral was held at the farm and it is reported 500 were in attendance. Her husband used part of her estate to erect a monument that he imported from Portugal and the cost is said to have been $15,000.

John was a member of Parliament for 20 years. He was a great advocate for the preservation of natural resources as mentioned on the monument.

Maysie MacKinnon Ontario death registration #016452 (26 September 1932), digital image, Ancestry.ca, citing MS 935 Reel 441, Archives of Ontario, Toronto.

Maysie MacKinnon -- John R. McNicol Ontario marriage registration #019106 (19 January 1918 - date received by Receiver General); digital image, Ancestry.ca, citing MS 932 Reel 359, Archives of Ontario, Toronto.

John Richard MacNichol [sic] Ontario death registration #020643 (31 December 1877); digital image, Ancestry.ca, citing MS 929 Reel 29.

Normanby Reflections, Vol. 1. MacKinnon and MacNicol sections.

Cemetery visits summer 2014 - 0

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 14:22:00 +0000

It is hard to believe that summer 2014 is over and I haven't made a visit to a cemetery. We had a summer with more rain than usual and also cooler temperatures.

Usually, I spend at least one day each summer being a graveyard rabbit. The last couple of years, I have taken along with me on my visits to a part of Grey County, a friend who is around 80 years old. We make it an outing with a stop for a morning snack and lunch out at a lovely village restaurant.

My writing focus this year has been the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge where I have been writing about them over at my other blog Janet the Researcher.

Although, there aren't any new postings right now, I hope you visit some past postings.

Here are some favourites
Richard Ayearst buried in Markdale Cemetery. - This has many interesting comments. I also received several private emails.
Thomas Seton Gordon - a relative of a good friend
John Johnston - a brother of my great-great-grandfather David Johnston.

Over on my other site
John Mucklow my great-great-grandfather
David Johnston and Hannah Hemingway - I tell how I found out where they were buried.

Little Simon Albrecht

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 21:09:00 +0000

Simon Herman Albrecht died 1 November 1884 according to the tombstone or 31October 1884 according to his death registration. Simon's stone was found at The Mannerow Cemetery (Cedardale) in Sullivan Township, Grey County, Ontario.

Zum Andenken an = In memory of

Simon Herman

Sohn von = son of

Edward und Carolina

Albrecht

gest. den 1 Nov 1884 = died 1 Nov 1884

im Alter von = aged

3 Jahr und 6 Tag = 3 years, 6 days

In his birth and death registrations, his name is anglicised as Simon Herman Albright.

Simon was born 25 October 1881 to Edward Albright and Caroline Brightfield lot 21, concession 6. [1]

He died of diphtheria 31 October / 1 November 1884. Both his stone and his death registration give his age at death as 3 years 6 days. [2] Four other children, with the same registration date, also died of diphtheria.

Simon never was listed on a census, nor is he listed in the short section in the History of Sullivan Vol. II, p 30-31 "Albright Family"

Includes a photo of Edward Albright and his wife Caroline Breitfeldt

Edward was born about 1844 in Germany. He and his wife lived at pt lot 20, concession 6 of Sullivan Township. The book mentions Frederick who was born the year Simon died (6 March 1884).

Looking at census records on Ancestry gives a better picture of the family and who would have mourned the loss of little Simon Albrecht besides his parents.

1871 Census - North Waterloo - Wilhemina (4), John (3) and Edward (1) [could this be their family too?]

1881 Census - Sullivan Township - Amy (14), Luther (13), Moses (10) all listed as Albrecht; Mary (9), David (7), Rebecca (6), Joseph (3), Sarah (1) listed as Albright.

1891 Census Emma (24), Luther (23), Moses (21), Mary Ann (19), David (18), Rebecca (16), Joseph (14), Sarah (12), Fred (7), Caroline (5), Noah (3)

1901 Census - Moses (31), Mary (29), Caroline (15), Frederick (17), Noah (14), Joseph (23)

1911 Census - indexed as Rush (22) but is possibly Noah [When Noah married in 1915 - he went by Albrecht]

[1] Simon Albright Ontario birth registration #010040 (19 April 1882); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 2 November 2013), citing microfilm MS 929 Reel 53, Archives of Ontario, Toronto.

[2] Simon Herman Albright Ontario death registration #005378 (5 November 1884); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 2 November 2013), citing microfilm MS 935 Reel 37, Archives of Ontario, Toronto.

Thanks to my sister for translating the text. Unfortunately, the writing at the bottom of the stone is not clear and not large enough. Perhaps, I will pay another visit to this cemetery.

Tombstone Tuesday - Whitelaw family - part 3 - Meaford, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Florance C.

Died

Apr 23 1862

aged 3 mos & 9 days

Merton C

son of

C. J. & E. M

died

Oct 1 1882

Aged 2 mos & 13 days

Albert son of C. J. & E. M.

died July 15 1887

Aged 5 ms 15 dys

George J. C.

Died at Carman Man.

Nov. 10 1893

Aged 36 yrs 3 mos 22 dys

Gone home to rest

Thomas Whitelaw

died July 26 1912

aged 70 yrs 4 ms 11 ds

Tombstone Tuesday - Whitelaw family part 2 at Meaford, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 23:59:00 +0000

Sarah Amelia E.

Whitelaw

Wife of

H. S. Knowles

Died Aug 28. 1883

Aged

27 yrs 11 mos 20ds

Gone to rest

Robt. John A.

Died Feb 19, 1884

Aged

20 yrs 7 mos 13 ds

Blessed are the pure in heart for

they shall see God

Elizabeth J. Whitelaw

Wife of J. H. Long

Died at Edmonton, NWT

Aug 26 1884

Aged 34 yrs 1 mo 3ds

For me to live is Christ and to die is gain

Joseph Crow Whitelaw

Died Jan 5 1887

Aged 34 yrs 3 mo's

He that overcometh shall inherit all things

Mary E.

Dau. of J. C. & M. T. Whitelaw

died June 26, 1886

Aged 1 yr 6 m's

Of such is the kingdom of heaven

----

Robert John A. Whitelaw died of a ruptured blood vessel in the brain. [AO MS 935 Reel 37]

Joseph Crow Whitelaw died of consumption [AO MS 935 Reel 47]

Mary Elizabeth Whitelaw died of inflammation of the brain [AO MS 935 Reel 47]

All died at a young age.

Tombstone Tuesday - Whitelaw family Post #1 - Meaford Cemetery, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 19:16:00 +0000

The Whitelaw family took advantage of all sides of the monument. Over the next few weeks, I will show the different sides.

William Whitelaw Sen.

Died

April 23, 1880

Aged

65 yrs, 7 mo's &12 days

Native of Glasgow

SCOTLAND

Come to Canada in 1820

settled in St. Vincent

1836

Blessed are the dead which died in

the Lord Rev. XiV 13

Sarah Crow

Wife of

Wm. Whitelaw Sen.

Died Jan 30 1895

Aged

74 yrs, 9 mos, 23ds

Native of Portsmouth

ENGLAND

Susan L. Whitelaw

1846 - 1933

In the 1851 Census of Canada West, Grey County, St. Vincent Township, William is there with his wife Sarah and 7 children, ranging in ages 14 to 2 (coming about 2 years apart). Their religion is Disciples of Christ.

Sarah's death registration gives her age at death as 74 years, 10 months, 9 days and the cause old age. (MS 935, Reel 74, Archives of Ontario)

No death registration was found for William on Ancestry.

Family history can be found at this site. I have not verified the information given there.

Tombstone Tuesday at Hemstock's Cemetery, Sullivan Township

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 11:51:00 +0000

Hemstock's Cemetery is located on Highway 6 in Sullivan Township.

George Hemstock and Fanny Proud

In Memory

George

Hemstock

died

Sept. 6, 1908

aged

60 yrs 8 mos

at rest

his wife

Fanny J. Proud

1851-1926

Fanny and George were married 25 January 1872 (MS 932 Reel 6, Archives of Ontario). George death was registered in Arran Township, Bruce County, Ontario (MS 935 Reel 134 Archives of Ontario).

Tombstone Tuesday - Gunn - McKay connection

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 11:30:00 +0000

In Greenwood Cemetery in Owen Sound, there is a stone that I photographed back in 2010 with the names Gunn and McKay on it. I do not remember if I photographed it for any special reason. Perhaps because of the surname Gunn. In 2010, I was working on my soldiers project and one of the soldiers that I was researching for the book was Alexander McKay Gunn. In an article over on Janet the Researcher, entitled Elizabeth Shown Mills - Fan Club concept, I talked about the multiple connections I was finding with the Gunn - McKay - McGregor families.

In that article, I talked about Alexander McKay Gunn who was born in Keppel Township on 13 January 1884 and was killed in the First World War. His mother, Johanna McKay was the daughter of Alexander McKay and Betsy Gunn. His father, John Gunn, was the son of Donald Gunn and Elizabeth McDonald.

I am not sure of the family connection to those listed on this stone but it is interesting to note the Gunn and McKay names.

East side of the stone

John
1859-1875

Ann             William J
1852- 1895                   1871 -1890

Donald Gunn his wife Janet McKay
1828-1895                          1828- 1914

Margaret Sutherland
relict of the late
Neil McKay
1778-1878

Native of Caithess Scotland

West side of the stone

Jemima

1870-1870

Donald McKay Gunn

1861 - 1926

Margaret Gunn

1855-1942

devoted friend James Sayer

Checking with the Greenwood Cemetery online listing to see if there were any other burials in G-SEC 6- 8- , I found that there were others listed. In that section were the following:

Adams, Ann age 28 died 27 Sep 1880

Adams, Ann infant died 22 Oct 1880 [death registrations informant Donald Gunn - marriage registration = Ann married to James Adams]

Gunn, Allan (infant of ), still born, 1922

Gunn, Donald McKay 65, died 29 Dec 1926

Gunn, Donald 66, died 21 April 1895

Gunn, Janet McKay, 86, died 15 Dec 1914

Gunn, John, 16, died 28 Dec 1875

Gunn, Margaret, 88, died 4 May 1942

Gunn, William James, 19, died 10 Aug 1890

McKay, James (infant of ) still born, 5 Dec 1872

McKay, Jemima, 1 month, died 12 May 1870

McKay, Margaret, 100, died 9 Nov 1878

Sayer, James, 88, died 4 Feb 1969

Remembering

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 16:00:00 +0000

In Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound, I found this monument as I strolled through the cemetery on a mission to find military memorials back in November 2009.

838171 Private

Lorne J. Ross

24th Battn CEF

24th June 1934

Lorne had served in the First World War but he did return home after the War but his health was affected by his time overseas. A search on Ancestry, led me to Canada, War Graves Registers: Circumstances of Casualty, 1914-1948 Record [database] for Lorne J Ross. It provided a link to the digital image of the form. Lorne's early death at the age of 36 was attributed to his service. He died in Christie St. Hospital in Toronto, Ontario where he had been a patient for seven weeks according to his death registration. Lorne was single and had worked as a civil servant. He was working as a waiter when he enlisted in December 1915. He gave his birth as a year earlier than it actually was, as did many young men did when they enlisted. Lornton John Ross was born 21 June 1898 to John Ross and Margaret Jane Hammond of Owen Sound.

Shiloh Cemetery, Holland Township, Grey County, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 00:18:00 +0000

In memory of our pioneers

1853-1983

Photos taken July 25, 2012

Tombstone Tuesday - Lanktree - Langtry

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 01:33:00 +0000

In the cemetery in the churchyard of St. James Anglican Church, Fairmount, Ontario (near Meaford), I spied this monument where the husband and wife's surname were very similar.

Margaret A. Lanktree

wife of

Richard Langtry

1859-1921

Richard Langtry

1854-1929

It is interesting that in their marriage registration, both surnames are spelt Langtry. Margaret Ann daughter of Richard and Margaret Langtry married Richard, son of James and Eliza Langtry 30 June 1879 in Euphrasia Township, Grey County, Ontario. Margaret Ann had been born there. Richard was from Armaranth Township. [1]

In 1871, Margaret Ann Lanktree is living with her parents and siblings in Euphrasia Township. [2]

Margaret died 13 April 1921 at the Western Hospital in Toronto.[3] Richard died 15 June 1929 at the Toronto General Hospital. [4]

[1] Margaret Ann Langtry [sic] -- Richard Langtry Ontario marriage registration #003106 (30 June 1879); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca :6 September 2012), citing microfilm MS 932, reel 30)

[2] 1871 Census of Canada, Ontario, Grey North (district 37), Euphrasia Township (sub-district c), division 1, page 47, family 176, Richard Lanktree household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 10 September 2012), citing microfilm C-9953, Archives of Canada, Ottawa.

[3]Margaret Langtry Ontario death registration #003278 (16 April 1921); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 10 September 2012), citing microfilm MS 935 Reel 274, Archives of Ontario, Toronto.

[4] Richard Langtry Ontario death registration #005670 (17 June 1929); digital image, Ancestry.ca ( http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 10 September 2012), citing microfilm MS 935, Reel 368, Archives of Ontario, Toronto.

Lakeview Cemetery - Meaford, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Yesterday, a friend and I visited Lakeview Cemetery in Meaford. Although, I went there to find monuments for clients, I also did some graveyard rabbit work. I am always on the look out for interesting tombstones, grave markers, etc. This was our first visit to this cemetery.

I had gone with my list and a map from the Bruce Grey Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society's transcription of the cemetery. This map showed where Row 1 and Stone 1 for section began. I had the coordinates for each that I was specifically looking for. For those who visit cemeteries, in particular larger cemeteries, you realize that even with the coordinates, it still can be challenging to locate what you are looking for. This cemetery has certainly made it much easier.

Locating the cemetery was the biggest challenge. I don't have a GPS but here are the coordinates according to Google Maps GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 44.59768, Longitude: -80.56961

Once we entered, things became much easier.

1. The map

2. The signs for each section

I liked knowing where a section began. Each sign is very unobtrusive but gives you the information you need to know. I wish my local cemetery did this for each section. It would certainly make the search much easier.

The day was perfect for our visit. It was warm enough for short sleeves but not so hot to be uncomfortable. The sun was shining and sky was blue. We only saw a small portion of the cemetery but it is one that I will certainly visit again.

Tombstone Tuesday - Cowan

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 08:26:00 +0000

Hugh Cowan is the great-grandfather of a person who contacted me when they found my blog.

Hugh Cowan was the editor of Mer Douce a magazine that chronicled life in Owen Sound in 1921-23 that was collected into a hardcover edition. Some information about him can be found at http://www.strategic-seminars.com/rev_hugh_cowan.htm

Hugh Cowan is buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada.

John Cowan

1828-1903

Native of Oban Scotland

His wife Mary McLean

1836-1921

Native of Mull Scotland
Their children Hector
1863-1926
Mary J
1865-1913

Laura Elizabeth Cowan

1879-1949

Julia Brady

1875-1953

Their dau

Margaret

1871-1939

Hugh

1867-1943

Tombstone Tuesday - Long Family at Greenwood Cemetery

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:12:00 +0000

Long
Clara Christina Hartmier
1884-1912
wife of
Isaac Stephen Long
1873-1938
Capt. Alexander Sandy Long
1901-1958

The above stone is in Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound, Ontario.

Clara's death registration provides the following information: Clara Christina Long died at age 27 years 8 months and 8 days on 20 December 1912 in Owen Sound. She was born in the Township of Sullivan. She was a housewife and married. Her parents were George Hartmier and Catherine Trunisky. Clara died of Cerebral hemorrhage and her doctor was A. B. Rutherford. The informant was Isaac Stephen Long of Owen Sound. The date of the return was 30 December 1912. [1]

The registration that followed hers on the same page was of the death of their still born daughter from the previous day. [2]

The couple were married in Chatsworth, Ontario 20 September 1901.[3]

Isaac Stephen Long's birth registration shows his name as Stephen Isaac Long. His birth was registered twice in the records by Charles Gordon, clerk. Isaac Long was the son of William Long and Anne Jane Henderson. William was a weaver in Sydenham Township. Isaac was born 27 June 1873.[4]

Isaac died 15 September 1938 in Owen Sound from Bright's Disease.[5]

Alexander Long was born 15 December 1901 most likely in Owen Sound. The second page of the transcription is not available on Ancestry.ca. [6] Many registrations are missing their second page on Ancestry.

[1] Clara Christina Long Ontario death registration #014280 (21 December 1912); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca/ : accessed 7 February 2012), citing microfilm MS 935 Reel 75, Archives of Ontario, Toronto. (bottom of registration also gives 30 December 1912 as registration date)
[2] still born daughter Long Ontario death registration #014281 (21 December 1912); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca/ : accessed 7 February 2012), citing microfilm MS 935 Reel 75, Archives of Ontario, Toronto
[3] Clara Christina Hartmeir -- Isaac ??ng [Long] Ontario marriage registration #007475 (9 December 1901); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca/ : accessed 7 February 2012), citing microfilm MS 932 Reel 104, Archives of Ontario, Toronto.
[4] Stephen Isaac Long Ontario birth registration #004957 (5 August 1873); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca/ : accessed 7 February 2012), citing microfilm MS 929 Reel 10, Archives of Ontario and #031132 (5 August 1873), MS 929 Reel 13.
[5] Isaac Stephen Long Ontario death registration #017200 (16 September 1938); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca/ : accessed 7 February 2012), citing microfilm MS 935 Reel 607, Archives of Ontario.
[6] Alexander Long Ontario birth registration #? (?); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca/ : accessed 7 February 2012), citing microfilm MS 929 Reel 158, Archives of Ontario.

Tombstone Tuesday - Squire Family Plot at Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound pt 2

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:50:00 +0000

Back in May, I posted a photo of the Squire monument at Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound. Today's posting is of another side of the monument.

Norman Morley Squire

1871-1947

Elizabeth Squire

1870-1953

N. Mabel Squire

1879-1963

In the 1871 census for Onondaga, Brant County, Norman was only 5 months old. His father Benjamin was 45 and his Mother Elizabeth 23. There is also Mary Anne 15 and Sarah 11. Mary Ann and Sarah were from a previous marriage.

By 1881, the family had grown to include Minnie 8, Edwin 5, Mabel 2 and Daniel 1. They were living in Brooke, Sarawak Township, Grey County, Ontario.

When Benjamin married Elizabeth Hamilton 22 December 1869, he was 44 and she 22. She was not much older than her stepchildren.

Morley Norman Squire, as he is registered, was born 9 November 1870 in Onandaga.

Mabel was registered as Nelly Mable. She was born 6 February 1879 in Onandaga.

Because their death registrations are not yet available, to learn more about these individuals a search for their obituaries may give their exact dates of death.

Tombstone Tuesday - Johnstone Cemetery

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:02:00 +0000

It is just over two years ago that I went for a Sunday afternoon drive with a friend when we came upon a small roadside cemetery. I insisted that we stop to have a look.

A view of the area from the road.

The Cairn remembering the former church

Johnson

Presbyterian Church

1920

This cairn is erected in constant and

loving memory to the pioneers of the

Johnstone community who found a

House of God about 1859 and to the suc-

cessive congregatons of dedicated men and

women and their pastors, who in 1920,

by the generosity of John Johnstone built

a new brick church on this site, where

they worshiped until it was closed in 1969.

part of the area

MACGREGOR

In commeration of

the 150th anniversary of

the arrival of

Peter and Janet MacGregor

In March 1842

with their children

from the Isle of Mull, Scotland

I posted some information about the cairn and church in a previous blog article

International Graveyard Rabbit Column

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 23:18:00 +0000

Over at the Graveyard Rabbit Journal, you can read my most recent article written as the International Rabbit - Paying Homage to Those Who Came Before Us. In the article, I describe a special church service held in the Bethesda Cemetery in Markham, Ontario.

Tombstone Tuesday - Squire Family Plot at Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:27:00 +0000

Benjamin

Squire

Born

May 17, 1823

Died July 29, 1899

Native of England

His Wife

Elizabeth

Hamilton

Born February 29, 1848

Died March 18, 1903

At Rest

Some information I have found about them

Benjamin was 44 when he married 22 year old Elizabeth Hamilton on 22 December 1869 in Onondaga, Brant County, Ontario. Benjamin, a miller and widowed, was the son of John and Mary Squire. Elizabeth was the daughter of Alexander and Jane Hamilton. Elizabeth had been born in Onondaga. [1]

Benjamin was enumerated in the 1851 census with his parents, John and Mary, in the Township of Brant but he is listed as non-resident, a miller, lving in Churchville, County of York.

I didn't find him in 1861.

In the 1871 census, he is enumerated with his wife, Elizabeth and his children - some from his first marriage in Onondaga, North Brant, Ontario. By 1881, they have moved to Brookholm, Sarawak Township, Ontario.

Benjamin Squire, retired miller, died 29 July 1899 in Sarawak Township, County of Grey. [2]

Elizabeth Squire, wife of Benjamin Squire died, according to the death registration, 18 November 1903. She was born in Onendago, Ontario. [3] There is a discrepancy between the information on the tombstone and what is in the death regisration.

[1] Benjamin Squire - Elizabeth Hamilton Ontario marriage registration (22 December 1869); digital image Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca/ : accessed 31 May 2011), citing microfilm MS 932, Reel 2, Archives of Ontario, Toronto

[2] Benjamin Squire Ontario death registration #010318 (31 July 1899); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca/ : accessed 31 May 2011), citing microfilm MS 935, Reel 92, Archives of Ontario, Toronto

[3] Elizabeth Squire Ontario death registration #014093 (23 November 1903); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca/ : accessed 31 May 2011), citing MS 935, Reel 110

This is not my family. There is information on the other side, which I will show at a later date.

Snow-laden trees in Greenwood Cemetery

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Iles) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:20:00 +0000

Today's Tombstone Tuesday posting includes winter photos of Greenwood Cemetery. On Sunday, March 13, the snow coated the trees so after church, I took a drive through the cemetery. I stopped and took these photos.