Blog
Sometimes sharing my work, sometimes musing on topics that have come to my attention, I blog about my life as an artist at Diane Duncan Art. Part diary, part conversation, I welcome the response of readers to my words.
I have recently added a new page and category Looking Back – Family & Community especially for those who might be interested in genealogy, family history and local history. It springs from a deep interest in the lives of those who have gone before and a desire to preserve their story for future generations.
Posted by Diane on November 29, 2019 in Community & Family History, Featured Flag | 0 comments
When people joined the emigration societies of 1820-21 and traveled to Canada, they often left family members behind in Scotland. Jean, daughter of William Miller and Elizabeth Gilmour married and established a family before her parents left in 1821. It appears that the Miller/Millar family used both spellings or the name. The family of William Miller/ar 1762 and Elizabeth Gilmour 1765 Jean Millar, eldest daughter of William Miller and Elizabeth Gilmour, was born in Dumbarton parish, Dunbartonshire, Scotland on 3 August 1791 and was baptized...
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Posted by Diane on October 25, 2019 in Community & Family History, Featured Flag | 4 comments
I am hoping for feedback from readers in regards to this and other posts regarding family history. In 1821, James Miller traveled to Canada as a member of the Glasgow Canadian Emigration Society on the brig George Canning. James, his wife and three children, traveled with his parents and brother Andrew. They arrive at Quebec on 14 April 1821 and traveled on to the Lanark settlement to join his brother William who emigrated late the previous year. James Miller and Janet Stewart James Millar was born in early January 1794 to William Millar and...
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Posted by Diane on October 18, 2019 in Community & Family History, Featured Flag | 7 comments
Andrew Miller, member of the Glasgow Canadian Emigration Society, 1821 Andrew Miller, who was baptized 15 Sep 1799 in Cardross, Dunbartonshire, Scotland, arrived in Quebec on the brig George Canning with his parents, 14 April 1821. Andrew travelled as part of the Glasgow Canadian Emigration Society under the leadership of Walter Black. His father, William Miller and brother James Miller were also members of this group and all three registered their location claim on 15 July 1821. Prior to departure he served for a time with the 79th Foot, 2nd...
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Posted by Diane on July 19, 2019 in Community & Family History, Featured Flag | 2 comments
The following post and others to follow are excerpts captured from ‘wordstar’ and ‘wordperfect’ files inherited from My father, J.R. Ernest Miller who, in 1992, published 175 Years of Presbyterian History, First Presbyterian Church and St. Andrew’s Church, Perth. I share these files as the names mentioned may provide clues for others seeking family information in the ‘black hole’ of eastern Ontario history prior to the first census in 1852. In the ‘forward’ to the book, Ernest Miller...
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Posted by Diane on July 18, 2019 in Community & Family History, Featured Flag | 0 comments
During the summer of 1818, Rev. Bell travelled to Brockville, Prescott, Lachine and Montreal in his efforts to raise funds for the erection of a suitable Church. The local settlers had agreed to furnish the necessary labour but were unable to contribute any financial support. More than 150 pounds sterling was raised, and a church building was built the following spring. Alexander Fraser, John Watson and Peter McPherson were named as Trustees of the the First Presbyterian Church. At a meeting of Trustees and Elders on June 23, 1819 it was...
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Posted by Diane on July 17, 2019 in Community & Family History, Featured Flag | 5 comments
Alice Whyte Ferrier (1888-1974) Alice Whyte Ferrier Miller 1968 on her 80th birthday I have just polished a silver-plated casserole stand and cover, preparing it for the next phase of its journey. It is time to pass it on. Granny, an accomplished needlewoman, often vied for the top exhibitor status at the local fairs and the casserole, won at the Perth Fair one year, was one of her prize possessions. As a child, I remember it frequently appearing on the table when she prepared Sunday night ‘supper’ for relatives who had dropped by that...
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