A Trip in the Far North

A Trip in the Far North

William Murray Gibson, my first cousin twice removed, was a lad of 18 when he travelled on a freighter from Edmonton to Hay River on Great Slave Lake and back again. He was born on the Scotch Line, not far from my childhood home near Perth, Ontario, and received his early education at the Allan’s Mills school. His mother Janet Miller, my great aunt, was a sister of my great grandfather Robert Miller. He homesteaded on 15-40-27-W4 near...

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Jean Millar & James Burns

Jean Millar &  James Burns

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...

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Andrew Miller, Lanark Society Settler

Andrew Miller, Lanark Society Settler

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...

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Presbyterian Families of Perth & Area

Presbyterian Families of Perth & Area

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...

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Granny Miller – My Inspiration

Granny Miller – My Inspiration

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...

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Glen Tay Public School Photos c 1950’s

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...

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Poole Family Settlement Locations in Wexford

Poole Family Settlement Locations in Wexford

Research notes Where did the Poole family settle in Wexford? On June 30 1922, during the Irish Civil War, the Public Records Office of Ireland, located at the historic Four Courts in Dublin, was severely damaged by fire resulting in the loss of a huge number of records. The 1881 and 1891 census were pulped during the First World War, probably because of the paper shortage. These are just a couple of the reasons why tracking Irish ancestry has...

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The Palatine Pooles – From Germany to Ireland

The Palatine Pooles – From Germany to Ireland

Choosing the most likely of the three options for my first in-depth look at history I needed to learn more about the Palatine Pooles. I discovered a website that focused on the Hartrick family, another family from this group. The name caught my interest because John Hartrick married Susanna Poole in Ossory in 1807.John George and George Hartrick were among the families who settled in Old Ross. Lester J. Hartrick, a Chicago descendant has...

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The Poole Family Connection

The Poole Family Connection

My Great Grandmother was Alice Charlotte Margaret Poole who married John Ferrier 24 Mar 1886. Until recently I’d not thought much about this family connection but a phone call, out of the blue, from an acquaintance of long ago, age 91, started me thinking about it. I can go back to my2G grandfather and 3G grandfather, and identify their family members without too much trouble, but there the trail starts to get muddy. My interest is in the story...

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