Research and Stories

This is a place where I can share some of my research pertaining to early settlement and family histories intertwined with the story of Lanark County, Ontario, Canada. I’ve been researching and writing for many years and want to make some of my work more widely available.

This blog was originally designed to share my artwork and creative activities during the years when I was exhibiting widely. My art has now taken second place to refining and publishing some of my research, but I have left the art posts available for perusal.

Whatever your interest might be, enjoy, and provide feedback if you can.

Diane

The Family of the Chaplin-Webber House

Posted by on February 9, 2019 in Community & Family History, Featured Flag | 1 comment

The Family of the Chaplin-Webber House

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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The McLaren-Poole Family Bible

Posted by on January 29, 2019 in Community & Family History, Featured Flag | 1 comment

The McLaren-Poole Family Bible

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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Tayside Memories: The Story of a Lanark County Lad

Posted by on November 19, 2018 in Community & Family History, Featured Flag | 3 comments

Tayside Memories: The Story of a Lanark County Lad

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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Some School History – Context for Glen Tay Public School

Posted by on October 28, 2018 in Community & Family History, Featured Flag | 3 comments

Some School History – Context for Glen Tay Public School

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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Glen Tay (Manion) Public School, SS#3 Bathurst Township Photos

Posted by on October 28, 2018 in Community & Family History, Featured Flag | 6 comments

Glen Tay (Manion) Public School, SS#3 Bathurst Township Photos

The School Section The original Glen Tay (Manion) Public School, SS#3 Bathurst Township, Lanark County was located on concession 2 Lot 19. It was conveniently located along the third concession road that led from Perth to Christie Lake. It was located to the east of Dewitt’s Corners and west of the hamlet of Manion, later considered part of the village of Glen Tay. The School Section seems to have stretched along the third line of Bathurst from the edge of Perth (possibly as far as Lot 26) and west to include Lot 15). Along the way,...

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Glen Tay Public School Photos c 1950’s

Posted by on October 28, 2018 in Community & Family History, Featured Flag | 2 comments

Glen Tay Public School Photos c 1950’s

I’ve been focusing on some personal memories for a class assignment the past few weeks and I am now trying to put together some information on the Glen Tay public school otherwise known as SS#3 Bathurst Township, Lanark County, Ontario. Here is what I know at this time and I am asking for help to definitely name the people in the photos and for additional photos and stories of this school. The school was originally known as Manion School (Manion was a nearby hamlet, located at the junction of the Glen Tay sideroad and the Christie Lake...

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