Lanark Rural Routes
Lanark Rural Routes, Volumes 1 and 2
In addition to my personal research, I enjoy contributing to the work of historical and genealogical societies that share my interest in family and community history. Among recent publications of Lanark County Genealogical Society (LCGS) were these two volumes detailing some of the history of rural Lanark County. A third book is planned for 2023. These books are organized by lots and concessions of each township and record what is known about each property. These books are volunteer driven so if you can contribute information about a property known to you, please do.
The first two volumes are available through LCGS. Lanark County Routes, volumes one east, 174 pages, hard cover; and volume two west, 168 pages, indexed, hard cover. Volume one features the townships of Beckwith, Montague, Pakenham and Ramsay. Volume two, the townships of Lavant, Darling, North Sherbrooke, Dalhousie, Lanark, South Sherbrooke, Bathurst, Drummond, North Burgess, and North Elmsley.
These books provide a way to share the history of rural communities within the county. New residents may have no knowledge of the rich heritage of the county. Longtime residents may wish to have known history recorded. Books like this are a useful resource for people seeking the origins of their family within Lanark County. Originally, these books were designed to share maps that are available depicting the county and each of the townships. In the end, the strength of these books lies in the descriptions of family properties and the photos that were shared by contributors.
In Lanark County Routes, two communities of particular significance in the county are featured. In Book one, Beckwith Township, and especially the portion traditionally known as “the Derry”, is well represented, thanks to the input of records submitted by Bill Mains. Although Bill currently resides in Lethbridge Alberta, Bill’s childhood home was in the area covered by his submission. In Book two, I (Diane Miller Duncan), currently a resident in Calgary Alberta, shared preliminary research that I am conducting regarding the settlers along the Scotch Line near Perth, and, of the families who arrived in Canada as part of the Edinburgh Settlers in 1815. My childhood home, Tayside Farms at Glen Tay on the second concession of Bathurst, is nearby. Many of my paternal ancestors were among the settlers who arrived with the Edinburgh group in 1815.
Other books published by the LCGS are Seasons in the Wind – Tales of Lanark County (family stories of Lanark County), 293 pages, hard cover. and Lanark County Legends (Stories of individuals of note from Lanark County), 486 pages, hard cover.