FInding a Loyalist Ancestor

 
Have you discovered you have a Loyalist ancestor? A Loyalist is any person who is loyal to their allegiance (especially in times of revolt). During the American Revolution in what was to become the United States of America, a Loyalist (also called UEL - United Empire Loyalist) was anyone who remained loyal to the King of England. They were called Tories in their own country but Loyalists elsewhere. Most fled to Canada and helped settle that country, particularly Ontario and Nova Scotia

Guide to Finding a Loyalist Ancestor in Upper Canada (Ontario) is available in paperback or as an e-book on Amazon.com and on Amazon.ca

Here are some Loyalist resources to help you in your hunt: 

• Haldimand, Sir Frederick : The Haldimand Papers - his papers and correspondence from 1758-1784.
• United Empire Loyalist Lists [NA RG 1, L7 vol 52a] on C-2222 from the Ontario Archives
• District Loyalist Rolls - transcript on MS803 at the Ontario Archives
• Early Ontario Settlers
• The Old UEL List
• Burning of the Valleys : Daring Raids from Canada... by Gavin Watt
• Reid, W.D.:The Loyalists in Ontario: The Sons & Daughters of the American Loyalists
• New York, U.S., Sales of Loyalist Land, 1762-1830
• Upper Canada Land Petitions and Land Boards 1793-1826
• Land Boards 1765-1804 [NA RG 1, L3 and RG1, E1] or indexes on C-10810 to C10836 on microfilm at the Ontario Archives or NAC.
• Upper Canada Land Books
• Loyalist Claims and Conversion List [NA MG14] 1790-1837 - Audit Office 12 and 13 compensation claims for land and goods lost during the American Revolution - 178 reels of microfilm
• Fryer, Mary Beacock: King's Men: the soldier founders of Ontario
• Watt, Gavin: The King's Royal Regiment of New York
• Watt, Gavin: Rebellion in the Mohawk Valley: The St. Leger Expedition of 1777
• Research Guide To Loyalist Ancestors: : A Directory To Archives, Manuscripts, Published and Electronic Sources (Updated and Revised) by Paul J. Bunnell
• Fraser, J.: Looking For A Loyalist, in Families, Vol. 23, #1, 1984
• Allen, Robert S.: Loyalist Literature
• A Bibliography of Loyalist Source Material in Canada. Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, Index, Vol. 82, 1972
• A Bibliography of Loyalist Source Material in the United States, Canada and Great Britain ed by Gregory Palmer
• The Mohawk Valley in the Revolution: Committee of Safety Papers..... ed by Maryly B. Penrose 

More resources can be found at http://www.olivetreegenealogy.com/loy/

Using Search Engine Tools Provided to Find an Ancestor

Angus C. asked Olive Tree Genealogy about the parents of his 2nd great-grandparents, Kenneth Roderick McKenzie and Hughenia Ross 

Kenneth Roderick McKenzie October 1839 Boularderie, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia died 26 June 1916 North Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and Hughenia Ross 1835 Boularderie, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia died 8 May 1869 Boularderie, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia In both cases for Hughenia Ross and Kenneth Roderick McKenzie I have not been able to find any information about their parents, where they were born or died is totally unknown to me. Any help and guidance you can give me to break through either (or both) my "brick walls" would be greatly appreciated.

A quick search of Nova Scotia Historical Vital Records using Hughenia's full name gave no results but using their "starts with" choice in the search engine, and only typing in HU provided this entry for a Hughessie McKenzie, died 1869 in Baddeck, Victoria County She was listed as born in Boularderie to John Ross, a farmer and Robina McKenzie. The informant is named as Kenneth R. McKenzie and her date of death matches what Angus C. sent me as well as her burial record which I found with a quick search online.

Her burial is recorded with her husband in Man O War Point Cemetery, Boularderie Island, Victoria County, Nova Scotia.

 Kenneth R MacKenzie, merchant, d June 26, 1916, age 83 his wife Hughenia Ross d May 8, 1869, age 33, their youngest child John Knox MacKenzie d Mar 21, 1869 age 4 mo.

A newspaper article extraction found on Ancestry.com revealed the marriage of Hughina and Kenneth, with much more detail. Angus C. can now send for the full article to see what, if any, other clues are found in it.

Name:     Hughinia Ross
Gender:     Female
Event Type:     Marriage
Marriage Date:     19 Nov 1863
Marriage Place:     Boularderie, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Spouse :     Kenneth W. [sic] McKenzie
Cleric 1 Name:     Rev. J. Fraser
Reference Date 1:     8 Jan 1863
Source:     Gazette (Royal Newfoundland Gazette) 1807-; Harbor Grace Standard ( also known as Standard and Conception Bay Advertiser) 1859-1936; Express (Newfoundland Express) 1851-1876; Record 1862-1863
Notes:     Bride was the youngest sister of W. Ross, M.P. for County Victoria, C.B. Bride was also sister of Roderick Ross, M.P. for Wapue, New Zealand. Groom was "late" of Harbour Grace.

Armed with the names of two of Hughina's brothers and her father and mother, I am sure more can be found about her parents.  Being curious I had a very quick search for the two brothers named in the marriage extract and found M.P. William Ross (1824-1912), son of John Ross and Robina McKenzie. Here is his wikipedia biography.

Given the variation in spelling of their names (McKenzie vs MacKenzie; Hughenia vs other variants) I urge Angus to not restrict his searching to an exact spelling but instead use wildcards or "starts with" tools provided in online search engines.

For those genealogists curious about how long my search took, it was approximately one hour for the information I found listed above. 

Continuing on because I am now fascinated by this family, I next found this entry on http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/NS-CAPE-BRETON/2000-07/0964797229

The following is a transcription of a letter from Rev. Gillis, minister
at St John's Presbyterian Church, Belfast, PEI, dated 1979. Baptisms done by Rev. John MacLennan on trips to Boularderie. 

Baptized on September 16, 1831 to John Ross & Robina McKenzie
* William born December 20, 1825
* Jane born May 20, 1827
* Angus born August 20, 1829

A search quick found Robina and John's burials recorded as 

John Ross, native of Durness, Sutherlandshire, Scotland,
d Dec 25, 1857, age 83
Robina, relict of late John Ross, d Dec 7, 1862 age 67 yrs
b in Parish of Eddrachillis, Sutherlandshire, Scotland


As much as I am having fun with this query, it's time for Angus C to take over. If they were my ancestors I would run, not walk, to ScotlandsPeople website to see what I could find for John and Robina. Another hint for Angus: The marriage of John and Robina can be found on the  FamilySearch website. Once you find it, you can get the image on ScotlandsPeople for only 6 credits. That marriage should provide you with the fathers of both bride and groom.

Finding a Loyalist Ancestor

A Loyalist is any person who is loyal to their allegiance (especially in times of revolt). During the American Revolution in what was to become the United States of America, a Loyalist (also called UEL - United Empire Loyalist) was anyone who remained loyal to the King of England. They were called Tories in their own country but Loyalists elsewhere. Most fled to Canada and helped settle that country, particularly Ontario and Nova Scotia.


Guide to Finding a Loyalist Ancestor in Upper Canada (Ontario) is available in paperback or as an e-book on Amazon.com and on Amazon.ca
Other Loyalist genealogy records you will want to consult are Loyalist Muster Rolls for Butler's Rangers; Sir John Johnston's [Johnstone's] Brigade; King's Royal Regiment of New York (KRRNY); Men From the Turloch Militia who Joined KRRNY or Butler's Rangers; 1778 List of Men From Pennsylvania who joined the British Army & British Regiments who served in North America during the French and Indian Wars.

To find Loyalist ancestors, start with Loyalist History. This will help you understand what a Loyalist was, who they were, what Military Loyalist Regiments for British and Loyalist troops during the American Revolution, and where they settled. Butler's Rangers, mustered by Col. John Butler in New York and consisting of Mohawk Indians and men from New York is one of the Regiments featured. 

You can also read about other Loyalist families:

Isaac Van Valkenburg aka Vollick Loyalist from New York with Butler's Rangers in Niagara 

Jonas Larroway Loyalist from New York with Butler's Rangers in Niagara 

Shainholdts- A Loyalist in Butler's Rangers 

Elisha Wilcox (Willcox, Willcocks) Sr Loyalist from New England with Butler's Rangers in Niagara, and his children Asa Wilcox, Hezekiah Wilcox, Elisha Wilcox Jr, Sarah Wilcox Emmons, James Wilcox, also his son's father in law Gasper Brown 

Newly Discovered Diary Describes Halifax Explosion

Dec. 6, 1917. Royal Navy sailor Frank Baker wrote in his diary

"We...had just drawn soap and powder and the necessary utensils for cleaning paint work,” he wrote, “when the most awful explosion I ever heard or want to hear again occurred.”

What Baker heard was the largest explosion since before the Atomic Bomb. Sailors 150 miles out to sea heard the blast. On land, people felt the jolt 300 miles away. The shock wave demolished almost everything within a half-mile.

An outbound Belgian ship, the Imo, collided with an inbound French freighter, the Mont-Blanc. The freighter carried 2,925 tons of high explosives, including 246 tons of benzol, a highly flammable motor fuel, in drums lashed to its deck.

Passersby stopped to watch the fire but when the explosion occurred the town of Halifax was devastated. There were 2000 known fatalities and over 9000 people were injured.

Baker's diary is now in an exhibit in the Dartmouth Heritage Musuem. Read the entire diary on the Smithsonian 

Find Ancestors on Ships to Canada 1400 to 1800

For anyone interested in the names of passengers sailing to Canada 1400 to 1800 I have corrected bad links to several ships lists.

The new links are for the following ship sailings:

Le Christoph April 14, 1535 voyage to Newfoundland from La Rochelle, France 

List of the Crew of Jacques Cartier Second Voyage, Spring 1535 

Index to Lists of Ships Sailing from France to New France (Quebec) 1600s & 1700s - gives dates of arrival, port of arrival and names of Captains  

Ships to New France 1633 - 1647 

Ships of the Carignan Regiment Info and pictures of the seven ships that transported the regiment in 1665

Duke of York arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia from Liverpool, England on May 1, 1772  

Albion from Hull, Yorkshire, England, 1774 to Halifax, Nova Scotia, with 184 passenger 

Providence from Newcastle, England to Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1774 

Thomas and William from Yorkshire to Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1774 

Image Copyright:  Expired
Credit:  Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1937-499-1  

Canada Female Black Rights Activist to be Featured on Bill

Civil rights pioneer Viola Desmond will be the first Canadian woman to be featured on the ten dollar bill. I doubt most Canadians have ever heard of Viola, although she was featured on a stamp in 2012.  On November 8, 1946, she went to the  Roseland Theatre in Nova Scotia to see a movie. Black people could only sit in the balcony of the theatre but Viola sat in the downstairs section which was only for whites.

She was removed, taken to jail, and charged with defrauding the Province of a penny because she had not paid the 1 cent extra to sit downstairs. Viola appealed and her court case was the first known legal challenge against racial segregation brought forward by a black woman in Canada.

Read the full story at Black rights activist Viola Desmond to be 1st Canadian woman on $10 bill

Other stories and bios of Viola (Davis) Desmond:

How civil rights icon Viola Desmond helped change course of Canadian history

Heritage Minutes 

Breaking Down A Brick Wall

Angus C. asked Olive Tree Genealogy about the parents of his 2nd great-grandparents, Kenneth Roderick McKenzie and Hughenia Ross 

Kenneth Roderick McKenzie October 1839 Boularderie, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia died 26 June 1916 North Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and Hughenia Ross 1835 Boularderie, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia died 8 May 1869 Boularderie, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia In both cases for Hughenia Ross and Kenneth Roderick McKenzie I have not been able to find any information about their parents, where they were born or died is totally unknown to me. Any help and guidance you can give me to break through either (or both) my "brick walls" would be greatly appreciated.

A quick search of Nova Scotia Historical Vital Records using Hughenia's full name gave no results but using their "starts with" choice in the search engine, and only typing in HU provided this entry for a Hughessie McKenzie, died 1869 in Baddeck, Victoria County She was listed as born in Boularderie to John Ross, a farmer and Robina McKenzie. The informant is named as Kenneth R. McKenzie and her date of death matches what Angus C. sent me as well as her burial record which I found with a quick search online.

Her burial is recorded with her husband in Man O War Point Cemetery, Boularderie Island, Victoria County, Nova Scotia.

 Kenneth R MacKenzie, merchant, d June 26, 1916, age 83 his wife Hughenia Ross d May 8, 1869, age 33, their youngest child John Knox MacKenzie d Mar 21, 1869 age 4 mo.

A newspaper article extraction found on Ancestry.com revealed the marriage of Hughina and Kenneth, with much more detail. Angus C. can now send for the full article to see what, if any, other clues are found in it.

Continue reading this article at Using Search Engine Tools Provided to Find an Ancestor

Help Return Silver Cross Medail to Descendants of Eviva Carr

Recently this Silver Cross medal was found and the finder wants to return it to family.  The medal is engraved with the name S.J. Carr and the service number F2079. 

The medal was presented to Eviva Carr of Manassette Lake, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia whose son Samuel James Carr died on May 23, 1944 in Italy.

The Canadian Virtual War Memorial shows that Carr, a private, served with the West Nova Scotia Regiment. 

An obituary published in The Chronicle Herald indicates Eviva Carr died in 1980. She had several relatives, including four daughters and 21 grandchildren.


Olive Tree Genealogy's Research shows: 

St. Francis Harbour Roman Catholic Church Cemetery, St. Francis Harbour,
Guysborough County, NS
Carr, Howard 1890 - 1935
Wife Eviva M. Diggins: 1888 - 1980

If you are a descendant or you know any of this family please get in touch by going to the story Silver Cross quest: Martins River Man seeks information on WWII relic

Image credit:  The Chronicle Herald

Wallet with ID from 1956 Found in Ceiling of Home

K. P. wrote this note

"While taking down the ceiling in our house, C. found a wallet full of treasures. Anyone know a William Mollon, born June 19th, 1933, from Sydney, Nova Scotia? He took the train from Sydney to Port Credit in June of 1956."

Can anyone help K.P. find William or his descendants?

Book of Negroes (Black Loyalists) Episode 1 Recap

The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill, aired last night. I thought it was very good - powerful and compelling, quite distressing at times, but a story that needs to be told.  It was upsetting to watch as Aminata, a young girl from Africa as her parents were killed and she was abducted by slave traders. At the end of Episode 1 she was in America and being sold at a slave auction.

From the CBC website: Eventually, [Aminata] registers her name in the Book of Negroes, the British ledger of 3,000 Black Loyalists who declared their allegiance to the King and were allowed to leave America for Nova Scotia – and what they believed was the promised land. She lives her final years in England.

The $10-million miniseries premiered on CBC Television on Jan. 7 at 9 p.m. (9:30 in Newfoundland) and continues on consecutive Wednesdays; in February, it will air in the United States on BET (Black Entertainment Television).

It is also available as  The Book of Negroes on Amazon

The Book of Negroes, the Story of Black Loyalists, Airs as a Mini-Series January 7, 2015

The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill, has been made into  a TV Mini-Series, set to air January 7th. According to CBC:

The Book of Negroes chronicles the dramatic journey and life of Aminata Diallo, a young West African girl, abducted from her village and sold into slavery in America. Eventually, she registers her name in the Book of Negroes, the British ledger of 3,000 Black Loyalists who declared their allegiance to the King and were allowed to leave America for Nova Scotia – and what they believed was the promised land. She lives her final years in England.

The $10-million miniseries premieres on CBC Television on Jan. 7 at 9 p.m. (9:30 in Newfoundland) and continues on consecutive Wednesdays; in February, it will air in the United States on BET (Black Entertainment Television).

Hill, 57, who co-wrote the screenplay, says it is “very profoundly a Canadian story, but a very unknown Canadian story. It’s a Canadian story that has not been dramatized before … the story of the Black Loyalists."

 Also available as  The Book of Negroes on Amazon

Huge cache of Canadian history hits U.K. auction block - How Will LAC Respond?

Canada.com Photo

A treasure trove of Canadian History is going on the auction block in England very soon. More than 200 years old, these historical documents have been stored in wooden chests owned by Sir John Sherbrooke.

An extensive collection of letters, maps and other original artifacts left to posterity by Sherbrooke,the Nova Scotia governor who conquered Maine during the War of 1812 and later served as Canada’s governor general, is to be sold on June 19, 2013 in a major Bonhams auction of rare books and manuscripts.

There is no question of the importance of these documents. The question is what will Library and Archives Canada (LAC) do now? LAC has been plagued by unrest, budget cuts and yes, even scandal. Chief Archivist Daniel Caron resigned suddenly after his exhorbitant personal expenditures on LAC money (including Spanish lessons) were discovered.

According to Canada.com  "The estimated value of the Sherbrooke papers is between $160,000 and $230,000 — coincidentally close to the $170,000 spent by LAC’s recently resigned national archivist, Daniel Caron, in travel and other expenses over the past two years."

Caron is gone, LAC is in turmoil with staff cuts, budget cuts and pressure to find a new Archives head. Will they be able to step up to the plate and purchase this rare and important part of Canadian history? 

Read the story at Canada.com

Lost Faces: The John H. McKim Photo Album Rescued!

Recently I spotted a forlorn little photo album in an antique store in Ontario. The album had seen better days and was in shambles. A faded turquoise cover was torn from the interior pages which had slots for 30 cabinet cards.

Many of my readers know that I rescue Civil War Era CDVs (Cartes de Visite) and tintypes but rarely do I buy cabinet cards. There are just too many of them! But this album cried out for some loving attention.

Many of the slots for cabinet cards were missing. There were a few names scribbled here and there. It's normally the type of album I'd walk by without giving it too much thought. But for some reason I felt compelled to purchase it.

Album Cover

My first step when I save an old album is to photograph the album and its interior photos exactly as they are. This documents my find and the order of the photos.

Then I remove the photos and carefully record all information on the photos themselves and on the album pages.

A page with ID

Lastly I do some research to see if I can figure out who the family is and what the family groups are.


This album was a challenge but inside the front cover was the inscription "John H. McKim, Londonderry Station, Colchester County Nova Scotia" I assumed (incorrectly as it turned out!) that the photos inside would be Nova Scotia photographers. But when I removed the surviving 13 cabinet cards, all but one were Ontario photographers.

However the only IDs in the photo album were

Ethel Willis
May Emery, Grandma's daughter (photo missing)
Ann and John and Libbie
Erie and Elmo

View the McKim Photo Album Pictures on Olive Tree Genealogy YouTube Channel

The photographers were from Hamilton Ontario, Aylmer Ontario, Tilsonburg Ontario, St. Thomas Ontario and one from Seattle Washington

Not much to go on! After I removed the cabinet cards the only extra inscription found on the verso (back) of one of the photos was "Mrs. Jas McKim, Byron Ontario" with "Jas." crossed out.  Under that, in the same handwriting as on the inside first page of the album was written "Mrs. J. H. McKim"

One photo was of a creek and on the verso was a note signed "J. H. McKim" The note gave an explanation of the creek but wasn't much help in figuring out the family groups.


Please see my next blog post on Finding John H. McKim.

Shoemaker's Ledger, Lunenburg Nova Scotia

Shoemaker's Ledger, Lunenburg Nova Scotia

March 17, 1897: Josiah Garret, pair boots soled heal 85 cents

March 17, 1898: John Rissor, shoes repaired, 25 cents

Shoemaker's Ledger, Lunenburg Nova Scotia

Entries Jan. 23-31, 1897-1919


Several years ago I purchased an account book kept by a local shoemaker living in or near the communities of CrossCreek and Ritsey's Cove, Lunenburg Nova Scotia. There are no identifying notations to tell me who the shoemaker was, so I researched the names of his customers found in the book. I found them all living in CrossCreek and Ritsey's Cove so I assume the shoemaker lived nearby.

The entries I read date from 1897 to 1919. There may be some earlier or later - they are not in date order. Whoever kept the account book decided to keep track of money owed and paid by family. Each family has its own page (or pages) and shoe repairs and purchases are noted throughout the years the family used the service.
The shoemaker's ledger book is 17x7 inches and there are 212 pages covering 22 years. Continuing on with Jan. 23-31 entries, all years:

Jan-26 1897 John Risser Pair boots - Morris $2.25


Jan-26 1897 Nathan Hirtle pair boots - John $2.00

Jan-27 1897 David Conrad Pair boots soled, healed - Thom 15 c

Jan-27 1897 David Conrad Pair boots patched - Eldrage 20 c

Jan-28 1898 Henry Knock pair boots repaired 45 c

Jan-28 1898 Zenas Conrad pair boots $5.25

Jan-27 1899 Chemanna Winter's pair boots repaired - Morris 20 c

Jan-30 1900 Henry Garredt pair boots boy $4.00

Jan-25 1900 Daniel Zink of Lewis 1 shoe patched - Mrs. 10 c

Jan-25 1900 Nattie Knock pair shoes soled healed - Bell 55c

Jan-25 1900 Nattie Knock pair shoes repaired - Bell 25c

Jan-27 1900 Freeman Zink pair boots repaired 50c cash. $1.25

Jan-27 1900 Henry Garredt pair boots Willas $5.25

Jan-27 1900 Nattie Knock pair boots $5.25

Jan-29 1900 Eldredge Conrad pair boots soled healed 75c

Jan-29 1900 John Knock Pair shoes repaired - girl 60c

Jan-31 1901 Obadiah Zink pair boots soled 35c

Jan-23 1901 Nathan Hirtle pair shoes - Mrs. $1.75

Jan-25 1901 James Risser pair boots patched - Alton 25c

Jan-29 1901 David Conrad pair shoes - Mrs. $2.50

Jan-29 1901 Thomas Conrad pair shoes soled healed 70c

Jan-29 1901 Uriah Mosman pair boots - Simon $5.50

Jan-26 1909 Solomon Creeser pair shoes patched - Mrs. 15c

Jan-24 1910 Albert Wentzel pair shoes soled healed - Mrs. 45c

Jan-24 1910 Benjam Ritcey 1 boot patched - Leota 15c

Jan-24 1910 Stephen Ritcey Pair shoes repaired 10c

Jan-26 1910 Freeman Himmelman pair shoes soled healed - Perl 40c

Jan-26 1910 Melburn Lohnes pair shoes soled healed 75c

Jan-26 1910 Samuel Ritcey pair shoes repaired - Russel 10c

Jan-27 1910 Aseph Conrad pair shoes soled healed patched - Freddie 65c

Jan-28 1910 Freeman Himmelman pair shoes soled healed - Perl 40c

Jan-31 1911 Edward Creaser Est. pair of shoes repaired for Bertie $.25

Jan-31 1911 Harry Godley pair shoes repaired - Kenneth 25c

Jan-23 1911 Harry Godley pair shoes soled healed repaired 45c

Jan-24 1911 Archibald Conrad 1 shoe repaired - girl 15c

Jan-24 1911 Aseph Conrad pair shoes soled healed - Freddie 65c

Jan-24 1911 Thomas Ritcey pair shoes healed 25c

Jan-26 1911 Aseph Conrad 1 shoe repaired - Mrs. 10c

Jan-27 1911 Daniel Lohnes pair shoes healed - Mina 15c

Jan-28 1911 Josiah Wentzel one piece of leather $.25

Jan-28 1911 Solomon Creeser pair shoes repaired 40c

Jan-24 1912 Freeman Creeser pair shoes patched - May 10c

Jan-25 1912 Milton Ritcey pair overboots soled heeled 85c

Jan-27 1912 Samuel Ritcey harness job 10c

Jan-30 1913 Ritchard S. Lohnes pair shoes repaired - Libbie 15x

Jan-24 1913 Naman Wentzel pair shoes repaired - Mother 20c

Jan-25 1913 Benjiman Wentzel pair shoes repared - Eley 15c

Jan-29 1913 Ellen Conrad pair shoes healed 15c

Jan-29 1913 Samuel Ritcey pair shoes soled healed - Freda 40c

Jan-29 1913 Thomas Ritcey pair shoes soled healed - Dora 40c

Jan-30 1914 Daniel Lohnes 1 rubber repaired - Dora 10c

Jan-31 1914 Alven Creaser pair Caregon bottomed $1.50

Jan-31 1914 Samuel Ritcey a boot patched 10c

Jan-23 1914 Aseph Conrad pair boots soled heeled 90c

Jan-29 1914 Ritchard S. Lohnes pair shoes soled - Seasel [sic - should be Cecil?] 65c

Jan-30 1915 Daniel Ritcey pair shoes soled healed - Boy 80c

Jan-30 1915 William Woolf pair shoes soled heeled sewed - Merlean 80c

Jan-23 1915 Enas Smith pair shoes repaired Emly 25c

Jan-28 1915 Edward Creaser Est 1 shoe repaired - Ethel 15c

Jan-28 1915 Willet Creaser pair of boots soled and heeled one dollar

Jan-29 1915 Henry Creeser, carpenter pair boots soled 65c

Jan-29 1915 Solomon Creaser pair shoes shheeled - Clara 15c

Jan-31 1916 Charles Ritcey 1 shoe repaired - Mrs 15c

Jan-24 1916 Ritchard Lohnes Capt 1 shoe patched - Ronald 10c

Jan-28 1916 Alvin Creaser pair shoes soled heeled - Donald 45c

Jan-29 1916 Ritchard Lohnes Capt 1 shoe patched - Ronald 10c

Jan-24 1917 Solomon Creaser pair shoes repaired - Mrs. 25c

Jan-25 1917 Ritchard S. Lochnes putting on skates 10c

Jan-23 1918 Ritchard Lohnes Capt pair shoes soled heeled - Rhonald $1.00

Jan-25 1918 Harry Godley one shoe repaired - boy 15c

Jan-29 1918 Reuben Ritcey pair shoes soled heeled - Wallas $1.40

Jan-30 1919 Archibald Conrad one shoe soled - boy 25c

Jan-24 1919 Charles Ritcey pair boots patched - Harry 45c

Jan-24 1919 Gabriel Himmelman hair cut - Paul 25c

Shoemaker's Ledger, Lunenburg Nova Scotia

Entries Jan. 16-22, 1897-1919

Several years ago I purchased an account book kept by a local shoemaker living in or near the communities of CrossCreek and Ritsey's Cove, Lunenburg Nova Scotia. There are no identifying notations to tell me who the shoemaker was, so I researched the names of his customers found in the book. I found them all living in CrossCreek and Ritsey's Cove so I assume the shoemaker lived nearby.

The entries I read date from 1897 to 1919. There may be some earlier or later - they are not in date order. Whoever kept the account book decided to keep track of money owed and paid by family. Each family has its own page (or pages) and shoe repairs and purchases are noted throughout the years the family used the service.
The shoemaker's ledger book is 17x7 inches and there are 212 pages covering 22 years. Continuing on with Jan. 16-22 entries, all years:

Jan-16 1897 Daniel Zink of Lewis pair shoes repaired - Charlie 50 c


Jan-18 1897 Daniel Zink of Lewis pair shoes soled healed - Mrs. 40 c

Jan-16 1898 James Oxner pair boots soled healed - Berdy 65 c

Jan-16 1898 Zenas Conrad 1 boot patched - girl. 10 c

Jan-18 1898 Henry Knock pair boots repaired - boy 50 c

Jan-22 1898 Daniel Zink of Lewis pair boots soled - Flossie 30 c

Jan-22 1898 John Himmelman pair boots soled healed 70c

Jan-18 1899 James Risser pair boots repaired 25c

Jan-18 1899 Reuben Smith pair boots - Nepean [?] $2.50

Jan-18 1899 Reuben Smith pair boots - John $2.25

Jan-21 1899 Daniel Zink of John pair boots soled healed 60 c

Jan-21 1899 Daniel Zink of John pair boots soled healed 65c

Jan-16 1900 John Knock 1 boot patched 10c

Jan-18 1900 Daniel Zink of Lewis sowing [sic] yoak [sic] straps 10 c

Jan-20 1900 Daniel Zink of John pair boots repaired 75c

Jan-22 1900 John Knock pair boots repaired - girl 60c

Jan-18 1901 Samuel Himmelman pair boots - Albert $3.50

Jan-18 1901 Samuel Himmelman Pair boots - Liddie $1.85

Jan-16 1910 Aseph Conrad Pair shoes soled healed - Doricy 40c

Jan-16 1910 Thomas Ritcey pair shoes soled healed 75c

Jan-17 1910 Naman Wentzel pair shoes repaired - Mother 20c

Jan-19 1910 Arthur Now repairing harness 15c

Jan-20 1910 Freeman Himmelman pair shoes repaired - Perl 20c

Jan-17 1911 Samuel Ritcey pair shoes soled healed 35c

Jan-17 1911 Samuel Ritcey 1 shoe patched - Russel 10c

Jan-18 1911 Hector Mosman pair boots soled 40c

Jan-20 1911 Freeman Himmelman pair shoes soled healed patched 75c

Jan-21 1911 Wilbert Wentzel pair of shoes repaired $.30

Jan-22 1911 Solomon Creeser pair shoes reapired - Clara 20c

Jan-17 1912 John Smith 1 boot patched - Murry 15c

Jan-19 1912 Freeman Himmelman 1 shoe patched - Robbert 10c

Jan-19 1912 Naman Wentzel pair shoes repaired - Mother 15c

Jan-19 1912 Sidnam Smith harness job 10c

Jan-20 1912 Daniel Zinck of John shoes & rubbers repaired 40c

Jan-20 1912 Freeman Himmelman pair boots soled healed 75c

Jan-16 1913 George Creaser pair shoes healed - Maze 15c

Jan-19 1913 Benjiman Wentzel pair shoes soled healed - Vinnie 45c

Jan-20 1913 Edward Creaser Est pair of shoes soled healed for Luetta 40c

Jan-20 1913 Seamore Ritcey pair shoes healed - Mrs. 15c

Jan-20 1913 Thomas Ritcey pair shoes repaired - Dora 30c

Jan-17 1914 Benjamin Wentzel pair shose heeled - Eley 15c

Jan-17 1914 Edward Creaser Est pair shoes soled heeled - Ethel 50c

Jan-17 1914 Solomon Creaser pair shoes repaired - Clara 20c

Jan-17 1914 Thomas Ritcey one shoe patched $.10

Jan-19 1914 Daniel Lohnes pair shoes heeled - Dauglas 25c

Jan-20 1914 Eli Mosher pair half soles 40c

Jan-20 1914 Enas Smith pair shoes repaired - Charl 40c

Jan-21 1914 Thomas Ritcey pair shoes soled heeled $.85

Jan-22 1914 Alex Smith pair shoes repaired - Edwin 30c

Jan-22 1914 Aseph Conrad repair work - 25c

Jan-22 1914 Eli Mosher pair shoes soled - Albert 60c

Jan-22 1914 Eli Mosher pair shoes repaired - Elva 25c

Jan-16 1915 Benjamin Wentzel pair shoes heeled - Vinnie 15c

Jan-18 1915 Ritchard S. Lohnes pair boots patched - Foster 30c

Jan-21 1915 Benjamin Wentzel pair shoes patched - Vinnie 15c

Jan-17 1916 Solomon Creaser pair shoes repaired - Carl 15c

Jan-18 1916 Harry Godley pair shoes soled 70c

Jan-18 1916 Harry Godley pair shoes soled - Kenneth 60c

Jan-21 1916 Alvin Creaser pair shoes soled heeled - Violet 50c

Jan-17 1917 Ritchard Lohnes Capt pair shoes repaired - Rhonald 80c

Jan-17 1917 Ritchard S. Lochnes 1 shoe repaired - Libbie 15c

Jan-18 1917 Solomon Creaser pair shoes soled heeled - Clara 70c

Jan-20 1917 Alvin Creaser pair shoes repaired - Donald 90c

Jan-20 1917 Edward Creaser Est pair shoes soled heeled - Ethel 65c

Jan-22 1917 Charles Ritcey pair boots soled - Harry 60c

Jan-16 1918 Freeman Creaser pair shoes soled heeled - girl 75c

Jan-16 1918 Harry Godley one shoe soled heeled - boy 35c

Jan-17 1918 Reuben Ritcey pair shoes patched 25c

Jan-20 1919 Lenore Oxner pair half soles and nails 45c

Jan-21 1919 Daniel Ritcey pair shoes soled heeled - Mrs. $1.00

Shoemaker's Ledger, Lunenburg Nova Scotia

Entries Jan. 9-15, 1897-1919



Several years ago I purchased an account book kept by a local shoemaker living in or near the communities of CrossCreek and Ritsey's Cove, Lunenburg Nova Scotia. There are no identifying notations to tell me who the shoemaker was, so I researched the names of his customers found in the book. I found them all living in CrossCreek and Ritsey's Cove so I assume the shoemaker lived nearby.

The entries I read date from 1897 to 1919. There may be some earlier or later - they are not in date order. Whoever kept the account book decided to keep track of money owed and paid by family. Each family has its own page (or pages) and shoe repairs and purchases are noted throughout the years the family used the service.

The shoemaker's ledger book is 17x7 inches and there are 212 pages covering 22 years. Continuing on with Jan. 9-15 entries, all years:


Jan-09 1897 Daniel Zink of Lewis pair boots repaired - Flossie 10 c


Jan-11 1897 David Conrad Pair boots repaired - Thom 70 c

Jan-12 1897 David Conrad Pair boots soled, healed 75 c

Jan-14 1897 David Conrad Pair boots soled, healed 70 c

Jan-12 1898 Wille Conrad pair boots soled patched 70c

Jan-14 1898 Daniel Himmelman pair boots - Albert $1.75

Jan-15 1898 Freeman Zink pair boots soled healed 75c

Jan-09 1900 Daniel Zink of Lewis 1 shoe repaired - Mrs. 10 c

Jan-09 1900 Daniel Zink of Lewis pair shoes - Flossie $1.75

Jan-09 1900 David Conrad pair boots soled healed 75c

Jan-09 1900 David Conrad pair shoes soled healed 70c

Jan-09 1900 David Conrad pair soled 60c

Jan-09 1900 Willie Risser Jr pair shoes soled healed 75c

Jan-11 1900 David Conrad pair shoes soled - Mrs. 40c

Jan-12 1900 Eldredge Conrad pair boots patched 15c

Jan-12 1900 John Knock pair boots $5.50

Jan-12 1900 Willie Risser Jr Pair shoes soled healed 70c

Jan-11 1901 Daniel Zink of Lewis pair shoes repaired - Mrs. 15c

Jan-12 1901 James Risser pair boots soled healed 75c

Jan-09 1909 Mrs. Daniel Zinck pair boots soled healed - Eva 50c

Jan-14 1909 Israel Ritcey 1 boot patched 10 c

Jan-15 1909 Edward Creeser 1 boot patched - Leone 10c

Jan-11 1910 Solomon Creeser pair shoes repaired - Carl 70c

Jan-12 1910 Israel Ritcey pair boots soled healed 50c

Jan-12 1910 Samuel Ritcey pair boots soled healed - Mrs. 45c

Jan-09 1911 Daniel Zinck of John pair shoes soled healed - Lailie [?] 40c

Jan-09 1911 Wilbert Wentzel pair of rubbers heeled for Grace 35cents

Jan-10 1911 Mrs. Obadiah Deal 1 boot patched - Mrs. 10c

Jan-12 1911 Solomon Creeser pair rubbers soled healed - Clara 25c

Jan-15 1911 Archibald Conrad pair shoes repaired - girl 20c

Jan-11 1912 Edward Creaser Est pair of shoes repaired for Ethel $.15

Jan-12 1912 Ambros Creeser Putting on Skates - Roy 10c

Jan-12 1912 Sidnam Smith hair cut 15c

Jan-15 1912 Freeman Creeser pair shoes patched - girl 30c

Jan-15 1912 Isiah Wentzel pair shoes soled healed - George 30c

Jan-15 1912 Willet Creaser pair of boots soled heeled one dollar

Jan-09 1913 Benjiman Wentzel pair rubbers healed - Vinnie 20c

Jan-11 1913 Benjiman Wentzel pair shoes healed - Sadie 10c

Jan-15 1913 Benjiman Wentzel putting on 2 pair hokkey [sic] skates 20c

Jan-15 1913 Ellen Conrad pair shoes soled healed 50c

Jan-10 1914 Daniel Ritcey pair shoes soled healed - Vera 60c

Jan-10 1914 Freeman Creeser 1 shoe repaired - July 10c

Jan-10 1914 Solomon Creaser pair shoes soled heeled - Carl 75c

Jan-10 1914 William Woolf pair shoes repaired - Merlean 20c

Jan-14 1914 Daniel Lohnes 1 rubber repaired - Dora 10c

Jan-11 1915 Seamore Ritcey pair soled heeled - Joie 60c

Jan-15 1915 Edward Creaser Est 1 shoe heeled - Ethel 10c

Jan-10 1916 Isiah Conrad pair of shoes soled and heeled $.45

Jan-15 1916 John Smith pair shoes soled heeled - Murry 60c

Jan-15 1916 Solomon Creaser pair shoes heeled - Clara 15c

Jan-09 1917 Daniel Ritcey pair shoes soled heeled - Ida 65c

Jan-09 1917 Reuben Ritcey 1 shoe repaired 10c

Jan-10 1917 Edward Creaser Est pair shoes soled heeled - Ethel 65c

Jan-11 1917 John Smith pair rubber heels 50c

Jan-11 1918 Reuben Ritcey 1 rubber patched - Malkam [sic probably Malcolm] 10 c

Jan-14 1918 Daniel Ritcey pair shoes soled heeled - Ida 75c

Shoemaker's Ledger, Lunenburg Nova Scotia

Entries Jan 1-8, 1897-1919

Several years ago I purchased an account book kept by a local shoemaker living in or near the communities of CrossCreek and Ritsey's Cove, Lunenburg Nova Scotia. There are no identifying notations to tell me who the shoemaker was, so I researched the names of his customers found in the book. I found them all living in CrossCreek and Ritsey's Cove so I assume the shoemaker lived nearby.

The entries I read date from 1897 to 1919. There may be some earlier or later - they are not in date order. Whoever kept the account book decided to keep track of money owed and paid by family. Each family has its own page (or pages) and shoe repairs and purchases are noted throughout the years the family used the service.

The shoemaker's ledger book is 17x7 inches and there are 212 pages covering 22 years. For the month of January, all years, I extracted 284 entries.

This begins January with Jan. 1-8th entries, all years:

Jan-07 1897 James Risser 1 boot soled healed for Alton 25c

Jan-08 1897 Daniel Zink of James pair shoes soled healed 75 cents

Jan-08 1897 Daniel Zink of Lewis pair boots soled healed 75 cents

Jan-08 1898 Daniel Zink of James pair shoes patched - Mrs 10c

Jan-08 1898 Willie Conrad pair boots soled healed 75c

Jan-08 1898 Chemanna Winter's pair boots repaired - Stella 40 c

Jan-08 1898 Reuben Smith pair boots - Maggie $1.75

Jan-07 1899 Daniel Zink of Lewis 1 boot repaired for Charlie 20c

Jan-08 1899 John Whinter's pair boots repaired 55c

Jan-08 1900 Daniel Zink of John pair shoes soled -Mrs. 35c

Jan-08 1900 Daniel Zink of Lewis pair shoes soled healed patched 80c

Jan-08 1901 Daniel Zink of John pair boots soled patched 75c

Jan-08 1901 James Risser 1 boot repaired - Alton 30 c

Jan-07 1910 Elex Smith pair shoes soled healed - girl 40c

Jan-07 1910 Henry Creeser, carpenter pair shoes soled healed 75c

Jan-07 1910 Solomon Creeser pair shoes soled healed - Mrs. 50c

Jan-08 1910 Israel Ritcey pair shoes soled -Gennie [sic] 40c

Jan-06 1911 Solomon Creeser shoe patched - Carl 15c

Jan-06 1912 John Smith pair shoes healed - Murry 15c

Jan-06 1913 Benjiman Wentzel pair boots soled healed 80c

Jan-06 1913 George Creaser pair shoes soled healed - Mrs. 75c

Jan-07 1913 Eli Mosher pair shoes soled healed - Harrold 75c

Jan-08 1913 Edward Creaser Est pair shoes soled healed - Birtie 60c

Jan-08 1913 Freeman Himmelman piece sole Leather 4 12/ lbs $1.35

Jan-06 1914 Samuel Ritcey repairing harness 15c

Jan-06 1914 Solomon Creaser pair shoes heeled - Mrs. 15c

Jan-07 1914 Charles Ritcey 1 shoe patched - Harry 10c

Jan-07 1914 Samuel Ritcey pair shoes soled heeled - Elsworth 90c

Jan-08 1915 Enas Smith pair shoes rubber heeled - Emly 40c

Jan-06 1916 Harry Godley pair shoes soled heeled - Alma 50c

Jan-06 1916 Harry Godley pair boots repaired - Kenneth $1.00

Jan-08 1916 Edward Creaser Est pair shoes repaired - Lewis 15c

Jan-06 1917 Hector Mossman pair shoes repaired $1.35

Jan-08 1917 Simon Walter Mrs pair shoes soled healed 70c

Jan-08 1918 Harry Godley pair shoes repaired - Alma 10c

Jan-08 1919 Howard Conrad pair boots soled heeled - Ralph $1.50

Shaking the Tree - Adding zest to the names

Recently I did some genealogy research for a friend. She has Newfoundland and Nova Scotia ancestry, and I'm not very familiar with either location re what genealogy resources are available. It's been fun finding out what records each Province has, and where they are kept.

I already knew about the wonderful Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics online but had no idea what genealogy is available online for Newfoundland.

To my delight, I stumbled on Newfoundland Grand Banks website. Many happy hours later, I had a pretty good outline of my friend's ancestry back several generations, proven with census, parish records, burials and other online records.

But I had no meat! All I had were names and dates. I really wasn't sure how I would find more detail to flesh out the lives of even one of her distant ancestors, but decided to have a quick look at Ancestry.com I really didn't expect to find much since it was Newfoundland I was focusing on (and it didn't become a province of Canada until the 1940s). To my surprise I found my friend's great grandfather in 1927 on board a schooner sailing from Port Aux Basques Newfoundland to the harbour in New York. He was listed as one of a 6 man crew on the Schooner General Byng.

Of course I googled the schooner name and was excited to find photos of its construction in 1918 and of it sinking on the Atlantic Ocean in 1928. Even more amazing was a photo of the 6-man crew in the lifeboat being rescued when the schooner sank!

Then I found a small notice that the crew from the General Byng went on to another schooner which later was lost at sea on a return journey from Portugal to Newfoundland. The entire crew, including my friend's ancestor, were never found.

That little excerpt on a website led me to NewspaperARCHIVE.com where I spent some time searching for any instances of the General Byng or General Gough. To my surprise (and delight!) there were several stories over the years, including the story of the sinking of the General Byng and the loss of the General Gough.

I have put together everything I found for my friend's ancestors, including printouts of the newspaper pages. It's bound and ready for her to pick up and enjoy! I hope she likes the zest along with the names and dates, for me it's like icing on the cake.

Nova Scotia Black Loyalists Searchable Database online

Library & Archives Canada has a searchable database for Port Roseway associates.

During the American Revolution, the British and Loyalist forces evacuated New York in 1783. This research tool provides access to 1,498 references to Black Loyalist refugees who settled in Port Roseway, now Shelburne, Nova Scotia.

Search the database or visit the virtual exhibition Under a Northern Star