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 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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Posted by Diane on February 9, 2019 in Community & Family History, Featured Flag | 0 comments
John Chaplin and Sarah Jones Meredith, born in England circa 1804, emigrated to Bathurst Township circa 1832 according to the 1842 census. In 1851-2 their family are listed as Dina b. 1833 (1833-1886), Henry b. 1835 (1835-1917), Matthew, who was probably Martha, b. 1837 (1837-1908), James b. 1839 (1839-1893) and John b. 1843 (1841-1891). As the year was often rounded up Dina may have been born in England, as is noted elsewhere, prior to departure to their new home, on Bathurst Twp. Concession 2 Lot 16 west. In 1842 it is suggested that two...
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Posted by Diane on January 29, 2019 in Community & Family History, Featured Flag | 1 comment
The McLaren Poole Bible While having my first cup of coffee Sunday morning I discovered a Lanark County Genealogical Society posting on Facebook asking for descendants of the McLaren-Poole family to contact a person who had stumbled on a family bible. I was familiar with the family in question, had some documentation in my database and more in paper files collected through the years. I immediately made contact and a day of very intensive research led to the discovery of a direct descendant of the family, a grandson, who was totally unaware of...
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Posted by Diane on November 19, 2018 in Community & Family History, Featured Flag | 3 comments
I have published a book – Tayside Memories: The Story of a Lanark County Lad Currently available at Tayside Memories: The Story of a Lanark County Lad Living at a distance has its challenges for this project. The book is currently only available online. Last week I fulfilled a ‘bucket list’ wish. I was able to assemble and send for publication my father’s memories of his life at Tayside Farm, my childhood home. I began this task many years ago, attempting to do so in a word processing software and finally gave up....
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Posted by Diane on October 28, 2018 in Community & Family History, Featured Flag | 2 comments
Timeline of History of Education in our part of Ontario 1807 Upper Canada Grammar School Act provided the first public funds for secondary schools for the establishment of a ‘Public’ school in each of the eight Districts of Upper Canada. These schools later became known as ‘Grammar Schools’. 1815 Emigration assistance offered by Lord Bathurst permitted a school teacher to accompany each group of families desiring to form a community and £50 would be paid annually. 1816 -1820 The Common School Act Inhabitants of any...
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