Jan. 7 1914. Wednesday
School. Evening wrote a/cs [accounts?] out for Father. Wet and stormy night!
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January 7, 2011
Ada Harland's Diary England 1914: Jan. 7
Shoemaker's Ledger, Lunenburg Nova Scotia
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.
It's a fascinating book as it names children and sometimes wives. The shoemaker noted who he made the shoes for, and their cost, putting everyone under the father's name. Sometimes he added a note as to who the father was - if it was a name shared by more than one man, he would put "xx son of yy" as the head of the house. So he might put James Jones son of Levi and then list all of the work he did for James Jones and family.
This shoemaker also sold prescription glasses and other items. He describes shoes and boots being made, being repaired and so on. As anl example, under the name Daniel Himmelman he has the date Feb. 10th 1897 and the notation "pair boots Albert" and the cost $1.75. So we know that Daniel's son Albert had boots made in Feb. 1897.
It seems many of the villagers kept running accounts with the Shoemaker, some for over a year before paying. When the items are paid for, he wrote a large PAID in script over the entire set of transactions.
His spellng is bad but it's not hard to figure what the names really are. Some villagers have many pages devoted to them. Leonard Oxner for example has a page starting in 1911 and ending 1914 with a final notation "Paid Jan 17, 1916"
In 1914 he repaired Leonard' s harness for 30 cents. In December 1911 he charged Alex Smith 10 cents for "putting on skates" for Arthur (the day after Christmas, I think we all know what Arthur got for Christmas that year!). Arthur must have been quite an active young lad, because he is listed several times between July 3, 1911 and Dec. 26 as having shoes patched, shoes repaired, shoes soled and heeled, shoes patched and the skates put on.
I have begun transcribing this 212 page ledger book. It's been difficult as I decided to list all transactions by date rather than by family name. So that means I have to go through every page pulling out the transactions for all families for January for every year (as an example).
Every Saturday I will try to post all the records for the preceeding week for all years for all families. Phew! That's a huge job as there are 22 years worth of records, so I can't promise I'll be able to keep up with it.
The first post is tomorrow, Jan. 8 and it will cover all services to inhabitants of the villages as noted by the shoemaker between Jan 1 and Jan 8 from 1897-1919.
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.
It's a fascinating book as it names children and sometimes wives. The shoemaker noted who he made the shoes for, and their cost, putting everyone under the father's name. Sometimes he added a note as to who the father was - if it was a name shared by more than one man, he would put "xx son of yy" as the head of the house. So he might put James Jones son of Levi and then list all of the work he did for James Jones and family.
This shoemaker also sold prescription glasses and other items. He describes shoes and boots being made, being repaired and so on. As anl example, under the name Daniel Himmelman he has the date Feb. 10th 1897 and the notation "pair boots Albert" and the cost $1.75. So we know that Daniel's son Albert had boots made in Feb. 1897.
It seems many of the villagers kept running accounts with the Shoemaker, some for over a year before paying. When the items are paid for, he wrote a large PAID in script over the entire set of transactions.
His spellng is bad but it's not hard to figure what the names really are. Some villagers have many pages devoted to them. Leonard Oxner for example has a page starting in 1911 and ending 1914 with a final notation "Paid Jan 17, 1916"
In 1914 he repaired Leonard' s harness for 30 cents. In December 1911 he charged Alex Smith 10 cents for "putting on skates" for Arthur (the day after Christmas, I think we all know what Arthur got for Christmas that year!). Arthur must have been quite an active young lad, because he is listed several times between July 3, 1911 and Dec. 26 as having shoes patched, shoes repaired, shoes soled and heeled, shoes patched and the skates put on.
I have begun transcribing this 212 page ledger book. It's been difficult as I decided to list all transactions by date rather than by family name. So that means I have to go through every page pulling out the transactions for all families for January for every year (as an example).
Every Saturday I will try to post all the records for the preceeding week for all years for all families. Phew! That's a huge job as there are 22 years worth of records, so I can't promise I'll be able to keep up with it.
The first post is tomorrow, Jan. 8 and it will cover all services to inhabitants of the villages as noted by the shoemaker between Jan 1 and Jan 8 from 1897-1919.
RootsTech Official Bloggers: See the List & Read The Blogs
RootsTech, scheduled for 10–12 February 2011 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah has the list of official bloggers online now.
We are the Official RootsTech Bloggers who will keep you up to date on what’s happening at RootsTech. This is going to be a very exciting conference and I'm looking forward to being a part of it!
I've signed up for several workshops (more on that later) and have been asked to be on a panel for discussion --- but I don't want to say what the discussion is about until the host announces it. So stay tuned!
We are the Official RootsTech Bloggers who will keep you up to date on what’s happening at RootsTech. This is going to be a very exciting conference and I'm looking forward to being a part of it!
I've signed up for several workshops (more on that later) and have been asked to be on a panel for discussion --- but I don't want to say what the discussion is about until the host announces it. So stay tuned!
January 6, 2011
Ada Harland's Diary England 1914: Jan. 6
Jan. 6, 1914. Tuesday
School again. All glad to return. Evening stayed in. Snowy! J. went to Vollum's
Review: Genealogical Standards of Evidence: A Guide for Family Historians
Genealogical Standards of Evidence: A Guide for Family Historians by Brenda Dougall Merriman. Dundern Press, Toronto. 2010 is part of a series of genealogy books called Genealogist's Reference Shelf.
Genealogical Standards of Evidence 120 pages will guide you through becoming a much more careful and serious researcher, one who is able to understand and evaluate every piece of information you find.
In her introduction, Ms. Merriman explains that her book has three purposes:
* as an introduction to the habits of careful researchers
* as an inexpensive reference work for checking your own research notes
* as a supplement to course, workshops and seminars you attend
Ms. Merriman explains that Genealogical Evidence is the information which we evaluate and analyze in order to identify an individual, an event in an individual's life or the relationships between individuals.
This book walks the reader step by step through the processes of understanding and applying Genealogical Standards of Evidence. It is clear and concise and the chapter of illustrated examples adds to the explanations provided.
After reading the book, genealogists will be more equipped to present, discuss and analyse their findings, including anomalies.
Ms. Merriman tells us that this book is intended as a primer, but I recommend it for all levels of genealogists. Any genealogist, from beginner to advanced will benefit from this book. It deserves a place on your bookshelf.
Genealogical Standards of Evidence 120 pages will guide you through becoming a much more careful and serious researcher, one who is able to understand and evaluate every piece of information you find.
In her introduction, Ms. Merriman explains that her book has three purposes:
* as an introduction to the habits of careful researchers
* as an inexpensive reference work for checking your own research notes
* as a supplement to course, workshops and seminars you attend
Ms. Merriman explains that Genealogical Evidence is the information which we evaluate and analyze in order to identify an individual, an event in an individual's life or the relationships between individuals.
This book walks the reader step by step through the processes of understanding and applying Genealogical Standards of Evidence. It is clear and concise and the chapter of illustrated examples adds to the explanations provided.
After reading the book, genealogists will be more equipped to present, discuss and analyse their findings, including anomalies.
Ms. Merriman tells us that this book is intended as a primer, but I recommend it for all levels of genealogists. Any genealogist, from beginner to advanced will benefit from this book. It deserves a place on your bookshelf.
West Winfield Academy Cash Book 1865-1866
Five years ago my husband purchased two ledger books from Winfield, Herkimer County New York. One is a West Winfield Academy Cash Book and Store Ledger kept by John G. Robinson from 1865-1866.
It is a thin ledger, 12x8 inches in size and laid out inside in an odd format. There are several pages of entries for expenses for what appears to be a store and also for items used in the Academy.
The Academy was an early school established in 1850 in the town of West Winfield.
Then there are two pages from July 1865 with student or parents' names and monies spent or received, followed by pages for January and February 1866, then October 1865
Following the October 1865 entries are several pages of names and items they purchased at what might have been an auction.
Because of the time period (Civil War era) and the student (or parent) names I thought it might be of interest to readers of Olive Tree Genealogy blog. So I am going to transcribe the names and amounts of money noted with each.
Here is the start of the July 1865 names:
It is a thin ledger, 12x8 inches in size and laid out inside in an odd format. There are several pages of entries for expenses for what appears to be a store and also for items used in the Academy.
The Academy was an early school established in 1850 in the town of West Winfield.
Then there are two pages from July 1865 with student or parents' names and monies spent or received, followed by pages for January and February 1866, then October 1865
Following the October 1865 entries are several pages of names and items they purchased at what might have been an auction.
Because of the time period (Civil War era) and the student (or parent) names I thought it might be of interest to readers of Olive Tree Genealogy blog. So I am going to transcribe the names and amounts of money noted with each.
Here is the start of the July 1865 names:
July 1. Amount invested by S S Paerd 4000.00I do not know if these are amounts paid by parents for a son's stay at the Academy or something else. If any readers are familiar with this Academy or the names mentioned, please do get in touch with me or leave a comment on this blog.
July 1. Amount invested by John B. Penn 500.00
July 2 Rec'd of Henry Fish in full of acct 500.00
July 6 Rec'd of David Colman 500.00
July 6 Rec'd of Robert Williams 87.50
January 5, 2011
NGS Call for Papers for 2012 Family History Conference
ARLINGTON, VA, 3 JANUARY 2011
The National Genealogical Society announces the Call for Papers for the 2012 Family History Conference, “The Ohio River: Gateway to the Western Frontier,” to be held 9–2 May 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The deadline for submitting proposals is 1 April 2011.
The Ohio River has served as a major passageway for travelers and goods going west since the eighteenth century. It played a major role in the development and progress of Cincinnati, one of the early settlements on the river. Cincinnati overlooks northern Kentucky just across the river, and southeast Indiana is only a few miles to the west. There is an abundance of family history to discover in Cincinnati, "Queen City of the West": explorers, frontiersmen, pioneers, and immigrants. We are looking for lectures about the early migration into and out of the area, river travel, regional land and military subjects, nineteenth century ethnic immigration groups, and topics pertaining to African American research and the Underground Railroad. Lectures are also requested about the history, records, repositories, ethnic, and religious groups of Ohio, Kentucky (especially Northern Kentucky), and Indiana (especially southeastern Indiana).
Other general topics needed for the conference include methodology, skill building, problem solving, record analysis, federal records, family history writing, and technological innovation in genealogy.
Sessions are generally limited to fifty minutes plus a ten-minute question-and-answer session. Syllabus materials (PDF files), due in early 2012, are required for each lecture or workshop presentation.
Proposals should include
* speaker’s full name, address, telephone, fax number, and e-mail address;
* lecture title, not to exceed fourteen (14) words, and a brief but comprehensive outline;
* short summary of the lecture—word count not to exceed twenty-five words—to be used in the program, if selected;
* identification of the audience level: beginner, intermediate, or advanced;
* brief speaker biography, not to exceed twenty-five (25) words; and
* résumé of recent lectures the speaker has given (those who have not spoken previously at a regional or national conference are encouraged to submit an audio or video tape of a recent lecture).
Speakers are expected to use an electronic presentation program and provide their own digital projectors. NGS will provide the VGA cable, cart, and power strip projector support.
Individuals may submit up to eight (8) proposals. NGS members will be given first consideration. Speakers will receive a complimentary conference registration with CD syllabus. Honorarium, travel allowance, hotel accommodations, and per diem compensation are based on the number of lectures given. See the NGS website for more details.
Interested individuals should submit proposals online through the NGS website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/call_for_papers from 1 January to 1 April 2011.
Organizations wishing to sponsor a lecture or track of lectures at the 2012 Family History Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, please see the details and sponsor requirements at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/sponsor_a_session. Deadline for submission is 1 April 2011.
Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogy education, high research standards, and the preservation of genealogical records. The Arlington, Virginia-based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian, seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, research guidance, and opportunities to interact with other genealogists.
The National Genealogical Society announces the Call for Papers for the 2012 Family History Conference, “The Ohio River: Gateway to the Western Frontier,” to be held 9–2 May 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The deadline for submitting proposals is 1 April 2011.
The Ohio River has served as a major passageway for travelers and goods going west since the eighteenth century. It played a major role in the development and progress of Cincinnati, one of the early settlements on the river. Cincinnati overlooks northern Kentucky just across the river, and southeast Indiana is only a few miles to the west. There is an abundance of family history to discover in Cincinnati, "Queen City of the West": explorers, frontiersmen, pioneers, and immigrants. We are looking for lectures about the early migration into and out of the area, river travel, regional land and military subjects, nineteenth century ethnic immigration groups, and topics pertaining to African American research and the Underground Railroad. Lectures are also requested about the history, records, repositories, ethnic, and religious groups of Ohio, Kentucky (especially Northern Kentucky), and Indiana (especially southeastern Indiana).
Other general topics needed for the conference include methodology, skill building, problem solving, record analysis, federal records, family history writing, and technological innovation in genealogy.
Sessions are generally limited to fifty minutes plus a ten-minute question-and-answer session. Syllabus materials (PDF files), due in early 2012, are required for each lecture or workshop presentation.
Proposals should include
* speaker’s full name, address, telephone, fax number, and e-mail address;
* lecture title, not to exceed fourteen (14) words, and a brief but comprehensive outline;
* short summary of the lecture—word count not to exceed twenty-five words—to be used in the program, if selected;
* identification of the audience level: beginner, intermediate, or advanced;
* brief speaker biography, not to exceed twenty-five (25) words; and
* résumé of recent lectures the speaker has given (those who have not spoken previously at a regional or national conference are encouraged to submit an audio or video tape of a recent lecture).
Speakers are expected to use an electronic presentation program and provide their own digital projectors. NGS will provide the VGA cable, cart, and power strip projector support.
Individuals may submit up to eight (8) proposals. NGS members will be given first consideration. Speakers will receive a complimentary conference registration with CD syllabus. Honorarium, travel allowance, hotel accommodations, and per diem compensation are based on the number of lectures given. See the NGS website for more details.
Interested individuals should submit proposals online through the NGS website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/call_for_papers from 1 January to 1 April 2011.
Organizations wishing to sponsor a lecture or track of lectures at the 2012 Family History Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, please see the details and sponsor requirements at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/sponsor_a_session. Deadline for submission is 1 April 2011.
Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogy education, high research standards, and the preservation of genealogical records. The Arlington, Virginia-based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian, seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, research guidance, and opportunities to interact with other genealogists.
Ada Harland's Diary England 1914: Jan. 5
Jan. 5, 1914. Monday
Bills aft. Went to Rd. Cafe with Moll. Met J. 1:30. He had a cold so went walk around Harper's Lane. Yum-yum
January 4, 2011
Ada Harland's Diary England 1914: Jan. 4
Jan 4, 1914. SundayNote: Ada mentions this "J.T" quite a bit in the first part of her diary. It seems he was a suitor, and I hope his full name will be revealed!
P.C. [postcard?] from J.T. to meet him tonight. Walk around Harry's [?] [rest of entry is water stained]
Six (Actually Four!) Degrees of Separation from Frederick Banting
Over on Facebook, Lisa Louise Cooke wrote an intriguing note called Who Do You Think You Are Separated From By Six Degrees? Lisa explained how she is connected to Claud Rains, famous movie star, through a 4-step series of relationships. She doesn't mean genealogy relationships, but instead knowing person A who knows person B who had some connection with person C who in turn knew person D.
This note struck a chord with me, as on the weekend my husband and I were talking about how many famous people I have personally known or had some encounter with. Our chat became a rather intriguing conversation as more and more names came to the surface of my rather muddied brain! It's not that I run in famous circles or hobnob with the rich and famous but for some reason I have had a few personal encounters with some fairly well-known figures in my lifetime.
I am going to be writing about that as a future prompt for my 52 Weeks of Sharing Memories series, so don't want to give it away here but using Lisa's Six Degrees of Separation as a prompt, here is my little story of degrees of separation from someone famous, that person being Frederick Banting, the discover of insulin and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1923. I've talked about Banting previously on my blog in Another Not-So-Famous Ancestor of Sorts
How am I connected to this great man?
1. I am my mother's daughter
2. My mother's second husband (and thus my step-father) was Godfrey Harwood
3. Godfrey's first wife was Greta
4. Greta worked as Frederick Banting's lab assistant at the University of Toronto
And there you have it - my four degrees of separation from Frederick Banting, Nobel prize winner and discover of insulin.
Lisa asks on her post for readers to post their own Six (or less) Degrees of Separation. This is mine - do you have a similar story to tell?
This note struck a chord with me, as on the weekend my husband and I were talking about how many famous people I have personally known or had some encounter with. Our chat became a rather intriguing conversation as more and more names came to the surface of my rather muddied brain! It's not that I run in famous circles or hobnob with the rich and famous but for some reason I have had a few personal encounters with some fairly well-known figures in my lifetime.
I am going to be writing about that as a future prompt for my 52 Weeks of Sharing Memories series, so don't want to give it away here but using Lisa's Six Degrees of Separation as a prompt, here is my little story of degrees of separation from someone famous, that person being Frederick Banting, the discover of insulin and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1923. I've talked about Banting previously on my blog in Another Not-So-Famous Ancestor of Sorts
How am I connected to this great man?
1. I am my mother's daughter
2. My mother's second husband (and thus my step-father) was Godfrey Harwood
3. Godfrey's first wife was Greta
4. Greta worked as Frederick Banting's lab assistant at the University of Toronto
And there you have it - my four degrees of separation from Frederick Banting, Nobel prize winner and discover of insulin.
Lisa asks on her post for readers to post their own Six (or less) Degrees of Separation. This is mine - do you have a similar story to tell?
January 3, 2011
Ada Harland's Diary England 1914: Bert's Obituary
Ada Harland's Diary England 1914: Jan. 3
Jan. 3, 1914. Saturday
In bed until 1 o'clock. Wrote in aft. Evening party. V.C. drove us. Had M. R., S.U and Miss R. to supper
Note: I must correct my earlier post where I said that Ada's husband-to-be Bertie was in the PPCLI. I misread his letter to Ada. He was actually a cook in F. Company of the 1st B.C. Regiment. In his letter to Ada he talks about the Princess Patricia's Regiment suffering heavy losses.
Driftwood was published on Salt Spring Island, B.C. The postal address for the editor was Ganges.
Splashtop Remote Desktop for iPad - a Winner!
Splashtop Remote Desktop for iPad is a terrific little program I just discovered. It brings your computer to your iPad, allowing you to view flash-enabled websites, watch videos and access your files from any of your favourite programs.
There are 2 versions in the App Store - one is free but it is limited to 5 minutes of use at a time. I purchased the full app which was on sale for 99cents. It was super easy to set up - I bought the App and after it installed, I opened it. Instructions were given to go to their website on my computer and download Splashtop Remote Installer (for Windows) A beta version is available for Mac.
After downloading the Installer, a small window pops up which gives you the few details you might need - Status, Settings, Security and Network. I say "might need" because when you go back to your iPad and open Splashtop, it will hunt for your computer(s) and you won't have to do a thing. If for some reason Splashtop doesn't find your computer(s) you can manually add one, using the IP address, port etc provided in the Splashtop Window open on your computer.
So I set it up. It only took a few minutes and as soon as I opened Splashtop on my iPad, it found my main computer and locked in. It automatically changes your computer viewing settings to match the native iPad settings (don't worry it switches your settings back when you close the program) and you are now operating your computer from your iPad.
I was able to open FTM (my favourite genealogy program) from my iPad. Normally I use GedView which is an iPad app for genealogy. I like GedView but sometimes I want my old familiar FTM in front of me!
I was able to search the FamilySearch beta site which on an iPad is glitchy - it freezes, is extremely slow and basically unusable. But I opened Firefox (also not available for iPad) and within seconds was searching for ancestors with no trouble.
Finally I could view photos on my favourite antique auction sites! Opening IE (remember I'm using the iPad but accessing my computer for this!) I could see the photos that are usually not accessible to me because they are flash-driven.
I was impressed with Splashtop. I was able to sit in our loft (which is our tv room) and use my main computer files and programs from my iPad. No more banishment to my computer office when I want to work on something at night while hubby is watching tv! Now I can join him.
The iPad keyboard is easily brought up by touching a small icon and there are even more keys than normal on it. I didn't play much with that but I will.
The one drawback for me was that when you first open Splashtop on your iPad (when it's connected to your computer) a screen of "Hints" is displayed. This shows you finger controls to replace the familiar mouse. But the problem was I couldn't remember all of them and there is no way to bring them back except by closing the program and starting over. I could overcome this by printing the screen IF I had an air printer but I don't!
But this one small negative isn't severe and I'm sure in time I'll memorize the finger controls. There aren't that many.
If you have an iPad, I encourage you to give this little App a try.
There are 2 versions in the App Store - one is free but it is limited to 5 minutes of use at a time. I purchased the full app which was on sale for 99cents. It was super easy to set up - I bought the App and after it installed, I opened it. Instructions were given to go to their website on my computer and download Splashtop Remote Installer (for Windows) A beta version is available for Mac.
After downloading the Installer, a small window pops up which gives you the few details you might need - Status, Settings, Security and Network. I say "might need" because when you go back to your iPad and open Splashtop, it will hunt for your computer(s) and you won't have to do a thing. If for some reason Splashtop doesn't find your computer(s) you can manually add one, using the IP address, port etc provided in the Splashtop Window open on your computer.
 |
| My Computer controlled from my iPad |
I was able to open FTM (my favourite genealogy program) from my iPad. Normally I use GedView which is an iPad app for genealogy. I like GedView but sometimes I want my old familiar FTM in front of me!
I was able to search the FamilySearch beta site which on an iPad is glitchy - it freezes, is extremely slow and basically unusable. But I opened Firefox (also not available for iPad) and within seconds was searching for ancestors with no trouble.
Finally I could view photos on my favourite antique auction sites! Opening IE (remember I'm using the iPad but accessing my computer for this!) I could see the photos that are usually not accessible to me because they are flash-driven.
I was impressed with Splashtop. I was able to sit in our loft (which is our tv room) and use my main computer files and programs from my iPad. No more banishment to my computer office when I want to work on something at night while hubby is watching tv! Now I can join him.
The iPad keyboard is easily brought up by touching a small icon and there are even more keys than normal on it. I didn't play much with that but I will.
But this one small negative isn't severe and I'm sure in time I'll memorize the finger controls. There aren't that many.
If you have an iPad, I encourage you to give this little App a try.
January 2, 2011
Ada Harland's Diary 1914 England
Several years ago I purchased a tiny diary kept throughout 1914 during WW1 by Ada Harland. Ada lived in Falsgrave, Scarborough, Yorkshire England and wrote in her little book almost daily. The 3x2 inch book is difficult to read as Ada was a prolific writer and crammed as much as she could on to each page.
Along with the diary was a photo of Ada and a letter dated Dec. 31, 1914 from "Bertie" in Salisbury Plain England. Bertie was with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) which co-incidentally was the same unit my youngest son was with as an infantry soldier for several years. Ada and Bertie eventually married and I thought it would be interesting to post her diary, and Bertie's letter here on my blog.
I did some genealogy sleuthing and found that Bertie was born Herbert Ashby in Scarborough Yorkshire England to parents John & Elizabeth. At some point Bert left England for Canada because in September 1914 he enlisted in the Canadian Army to fight in WW1.
Bertie and Ada were married in Yorkshire England in the first quarter of 1919 and in the fall of that same year Ada sailed to Canada on the ship Scandanavian to join her husband in Vancouver B.C.
One son Henry was born to the couple around 1920. In 1935 Henry and Ada can be found on Ships Passenger lists sailing to England in June and returning to Canada in August. Ada noted that she was going to Falsgrave Road in Scarborough so presumably they were visiting family and friends.
Bert died in British Columbia in 1960 at age 70 and Ada died in 1977 at age 87. At least we know the diary has a happy ending but I hope you read along as I go through it to see what happened to Ada in 1914 when WW1 had just begun.
I'm going to start with Ada's first entry in her diary (Jan. 1, 1914) and continue as best I can each day. Much of the writing is very difficult to read.
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| Dec. 21, 1904 Ada as Helena in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" |
Along with the diary was a photo of Ada and a letter dated Dec. 31, 1914 from "Bertie" in Salisbury Plain England. Bertie was with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) which co-incidentally was the same unit my youngest son was with as an infantry soldier for several years. Ada and Bertie eventually married and I thought it would be interesting to post her diary, and Bertie's letter here on my blog.
I did some genealogy sleuthing and found that Bertie was born Herbert Ashby in Scarborough Yorkshire England to parents John & Elizabeth. At some point Bert left England for Canada because in September 1914 he enlisted in the Canadian Army to fight in WW1.
Bertie and Ada were married in Yorkshire England in the first quarter of 1919 and in the fall of that same year Ada sailed to Canada on the ship Scandanavian to join her husband in Vancouver B.C.
One son Henry was born to the couple around 1920. In 1935 Henry and Ada can be found on Ships Passenger lists sailing to England in June and returning to Canada in August. Ada noted that she was going to Falsgrave Road in Scarborough so presumably they were visiting family and friends.
Bert died in British Columbia in 1960 at age 70 and Ada died in 1977 at age 87. At least we know the diary has a happy ending but I hope you read along as I go through it to see what happened to Ada in 1914 when WW1 had just begun.
I'm going to start with Ada's first entry in her diary (Jan. 1, 1914) and continue as best I can each day. Much of the writing is very difficult to read.
Jan. 1, 1914. Thursday.
At Ms. Vollums to supper. Walk with J.T. to Scarboro. Good---- [bye?] at 4.30 a.m. Bed. Up at mid-day
Jan. 2, 1914. Friday
Business writing. Writing all day until 8:30. To [crossed out] Dance. Had everyone. Supper with Ms. Foster. The 'stave' Last Waltz
January 1, 2011
A Great Deal for the New Year
Did Santa neglect to bring you a gift subscription to Ancestry.com?
Good news! Ancestry.com has a huge sale on TODAY ONLY!
If you want the US Deluxe package you can save 25%. For World you save 30%.
The sale ends today Jan 1, 2011 at midnight ET.
As my readers know, I love the Ancestry website and would be lost without it for my genealogy research. In fact I'm treating myself to a day of research today and will be spending a lot of time on the Ancestry site looking for some of my mother's English ancestors.
Good news! Ancestry.com
If you want the US Deluxe package you can save 25%. For World you save 30%.
The sale ends today Jan 1, 2011 at midnight ET.
As my readers know, I love the Ancestry website and would be lost without it for my genealogy research. In fact I'm treating myself to a day of research today and will be spending a lot of time on the Ancestry site looking for some of my mother's English ancestors.
December 31, 2010
Last Year's Genealogy Resolutions - a Big Uh-Oh!
Uh-oh. This morning I reviewed my Genealogy New Year's Resolutions from Jan 1, 2010. I didn't do very well!
Briefly, the resolutions were
1. File my genealogy papers. Oh boy. I never did get around to that.... Does it count that I filed all my PEER documents and papers so that I could organize the data to work on my books on this family? It was a pretty big job.
2. Finish books on Peer Family of North America. Another uh-oh. I did finish Volume 1 and it has been selling well! Partial kudos to me?
3. Prove my Shuart line or find supporting evidence of my theory of my Elizabeth Shuart's parents. I did find strong supporting evidence of my relationship theory! Phew!
4. Enter data same day I obtain it. Nope, didn't happen. I continue with my old habit of finding a genealogical bit of evidence, yahooing about it, then setting it aside on my cluttered desk...
5. Enter old genealogy data that I've filed away over the years. Nope - the only old genealogy data I entered was for my PEER books. Mind you that was a *huge* job! It took me over a month to complete it. Maybe that counts a wee bit?
So - those were my five genealogy goals from January 2010. I can't believe an entire year has gone by since then! And what have I been doing? It's not like I sit around all day and daydream.
I think the problem is that I'm not focused enough. I start a project full of excitement. Boredom quickly sets in and I move to another project! So the first one gets put on hold - temporarily of course.... or at least that is my intention at the time.
Out of my five rather lofty resolutions of 2010, I managed to complete one of them - and that was almost a matter of luck more than anything else! The rest were all partially completed.
Now it's time for more resolutions for 2011. I have decided to be more realistic and set one genealogy goal.
That's it. If I can stay on task and stay focused on one project at a time, I think I can complete the 2010 goals.
Sounds easy doesn't it? Not for me. I know this will be the most difficult goal I've ever set. Perhaps even more difficult than a personal goal like losing weight or exercising more!
I love genealogy. I love the research. I dislike compiling that research. I dislike entering the facts into my genealogy program. So it is easy for me to turn my attention to something more exciting or interesting and leave the first project in limbo.
It may be that I have to establish a schedule for such things as working on my Peer books or scanning family photos or creating a Family Photo Album or.... whatever genealogical tasks I'm working on. That way I will know that on certain days at specific times I am working on Genealogy Project A, not Genealogy Project B.
Wish me luck - I'm not very good at routines! I'm more of an impulse genealogist. If I feel like working on something, I do. But looking at the very long list of projects waiting for me to start or complete them I realize I'm in need of some structure.
So 2011 - bring it on! I'm ready for you. Sort of....
Briefly, the resolutions were
1. File my genealogy papers. Oh boy. I never did get around to that.... Does it count that I filed all my PEER documents and papers so that I could organize the data to work on my books on this family? It was a pretty big job.
2. Finish books on Peer Family of North America. Another uh-oh. I did finish Volume 1 and it has been selling well! Partial kudos to me?
3. Prove my Shuart line or find supporting evidence of my theory of my Elizabeth Shuart's parents. I did find strong supporting evidence of my relationship theory! Phew!
4. Enter data same day I obtain it. Nope, didn't happen. I continue with my old habit of finding a genealogical bit of evidence, yahooing about it, then setting it aside on my cluttered desk...
5. Enter old genealogy data that I've filed away over the years. Nope - the only old genealogy data I entered was for my PEER books. Mind you that was a *huge* job! It took me over a month to complete it. Maybe that counts a wee bit?
So - those were my five genealogy goals from January 2010. I can't believe an entire year has gone by since then! And what have I been doing? It's not like I sit around all day and daydream.
I think the problem is that I'm not focused enough. I start a project full of excitement. Boredom quickly sets in and I move to another project! So the first one gets put on hold - temporarily of course.... or at least that is my intention at the time.
Out of my five rather lofty resolutions of 2010, I managed to complete one of them - and that was almost a matter of luck more than anything else! The rest were all partially completed.
Now it's time for more resolutions for 2011. I have decided to be more realistic and set one genealogy goal.
*** Stay focused! Finish one project before starting another ***
That's it. If I can stay on task and stay focused on one project at a time, I think I can complete the 2010 goals.
Sounds easy doesn't it? Not for me. I know this will be the most difficult goal I've ever set. Perhaps even more difficult than a personal goal like losing weight or exercising more!
I love genealogy. I love the research. I dislike compiling that research. I dislike entering the facts into my genealogy program. So it is easy for me to turn my attention to something more exciting or interesting and leave the first project in limbo.
It may be that I have to establish a schedule for such things as working on my Peer books or scanning family photos or creating a Family Photo Album or.... whatever genealogical tasks I'm working on. That way I will know that on certain days at specific times I am working on Genealogy Project A, not Genealogy Project B.
Wish me luck - I'm not very good at routines! I'm more of an impulse genealogist. If I feel like working on something, I do. But looking at the very long list of projects waiting for me to start or complete them I realize I'm in need of some structure.
So 2011 - bring it on! I'm ready for you. Sort of....
December 30, 2010
Grandma's Ruby Ring
Grandma loved that ring and wore it every day. It personified her for me as she loved the colour red and even into her 80s she wore red pantsuits with a crisp white blouse. And topping it off - the ruby ring.
I have not seen the ring in the past 25 years. My cousin went into a nursing home a few years ago and I wondered what happened to the ring. Well, this Christmas my 87 year old aunt (my cousin's mother) joined us for a family dinner. Much to my astonishment she took me aside and pulled out the Ruby ring, saying "This was always meant to be yours when Mother died" then handed the ring to me. The tears flowed freely as I slipped the ring on my finger.
I am so grateful to my auntie and so happy to feel the strong connection to my Grandmother again.
December 27, 2010
Did You Know.... about the NYGBR genealogical data?
If you have ancestors from New York (formerly New Netherland), you may wish to consider joining the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. Members have access to the complete set of the NYG&B Record. That's 140 years of articles and primary sources for New York families!
There is other unique data online for members. For example Book One of the 1855 New YOrk State Census for Ward 17 of New York City is online and indexed in the E-Library. The rest will be added as completed.
There is other unique data online for members. For example Book One of the 1855 New YOrk State Census for Ward 17 of New York City is online and indexed in the E-Library. The rest will be added as completed.
December 25, 2010
Here's to you Dad
I was very close to my father and it came as a blow when he died at the age of 47 on Christmas Day 1960. I still remember the gift I bought him that year. I was in Grade 9 and had gone out on my own and purchased a little daschund china dog with cups hanging from its side. And there it sat, unopened, under the Christmas Tree while we waited for news from the Oshawa Hospital that Christmas Day.
I was curled up in a chair in the corner of the living room while my mother and older siblings whispered in hushed tones in the kitchen. I remember our phone ringing many times. I remember the endless waiting while I stared at those unopened presents to my father lying under the tree.
It was my brother who came to tell me that our father had died. The phone had rung and everyone was quiet. I heard nothing until my brother came into the living room and said "He's gone" It was difficult to feel anything except shock and bewilderment.
I don't remember the rest of the day except at one point I sat in front of the tree and unwrapped the gift I had bought my father. I don't know what happened to that little dog with hanging cups. I'm glad I don't have it. I have enough sad memories at Christmas without a constant reminder the other 364 days of the year.
I still miss my dad even though 50 years has passed. Christmas is a hard time for me. I love my family and love watching them open gifts, love having the big Christmas dinner(s) but late afternoon and early evening Christmas Day is a reflective and sad time in my heart. I'm always surprised by how much I still miss my father!
So Dad - here's to you on this Christmas Day. You are not forgotten. My children and grand-children hear my stories about you and your life - as short as it was. Your photo hangs on my living room wall. And you are the reason I started searching our family tree. It was all for you. And genealogy led me to many marvellous things in my own life. Death took my father at far too young an age but I won't let him be forgotten.
December 24, 2010
Don't Miss the Free BMD Postems!
Mike of Genealogy Gazette mentioned a little known and under-used resource for genealogists on his Twitter feed. I checked it out and realized he's right - it's a gold mine for genealogists that is overlooked for the most part!
Those of us with English ancestry no doubt know of Free BMD. This is the volunteer based website where you can search indexes to find the GRO reference for birth, marriage and death certificates. It's invaluable. I use it frequently. But I never realized there is a little feature called Postems.
Postems allow visitors to add information to an index entry once found. So a genealogist could find an entry for an ancestor, send for the certificate and then enter some of the details on the Postem for that index entry. Mike pointed out that if more genealogists filled these out we could all benefit.
Of course we have to avoid posting copyright material so I personally would not copy and submit the actual certificate word for word. But there's no reason a summary could not be submitted - for a birth registration you could simply submit the parents' names.
After reading Mike's tip, I immediately went to Free BMD and started adding my Postems for ancestors whose certificates I have, and who are found in the index on that site. I simply added one or two sentences such as this one for the marriage index entry for my ancestor Charles Simpson
"Charles Simpson married Sally Page. I have photos. Contact me at lorine@blah.com"Now anyone looking for Charles will hopefully see that Postem and can contact me!
Further exploration of the FreeBMD website revealed that visitors can search all Postems! So I searched for "SIMPSON" I was amazed to get 220 hits! These are all Postems, that is, user-added notes and details. I'm not about to slog through all 220 so I simply began adding more targeted keywords to find the Simpson entries I would be interested in.
What a great resource. I hope all my readers with English ancestry will give it a try and start adding their own Postems. My New Year's Resolution is to add *ALL* of my English ancestors' certificate details to the FreeBMD Postems in the year 2011. Why not join me?
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