Find this story and more in “Lanark County Legends”, edited by Lanark County Genealogical Society, 2020. Getting to Know my 3x Great-grandfather – Robert Mason Robert Mason’s Hat Robert Mason, my 3x Great Grandfather has been part of the family lore since I was a young child. Edith Miller (1st cousin twice removed) would include his name in her sharing at the annual ‘Miller Picnics’ each year and later my father became...

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...

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...

“History Leading up to the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Perth”, Perth Courier, Thursday, November 18th, 1965; By Rev. Robert More, Jr., Pastor of the Almonte R.P.C. “I see no warrant in Scripture for using these hymns.” so spoke elder John Holliday in the First Presbyterian Church on Dec. 22, 1827. With this the first outspoken tendency toward the Reformed Presbyterian or Covenanter Church was seen in and around Perth. Since the...

Fifty years ago, my husband and I were married in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Perth Ontario. On 29 July 2017, this congregation marked the 200th anniversary of the first Presbyterian church service in the community. I believe it was about 1992 that my father, J.R. Ernest Miller, assembled a memorial history of the Perth Presbyterian churches “175 Years of Presbyterian Worship”. I dip into his work to share the...

Rationing of Food Items Shortly after the commencement of World War II, rationing was introduced in Canada (on January 24, 1942), to limit the use of imported food and to free up supplies and shipping space for the military and their allies. The government introduced rationing because certain things were in short supply, and to ensure that everyone got their fair share. Each household filled out an application and initial ration books were...

As an addendum to the previous post I wanted to share this article found in the Perth Courier of 14 Feb 1946. I was unsuccessful in getting a readable download of this article so decided it merited transcription. I am also sharing update info (with link) to the official web site for this Regiment. Lanark & Renfrew Regimental History Bound Up with Perth Transcribed by Diane Miller Duncan from Perth Courier, 14 Feb 1946 The proposal,...

This ‘my story’ series, is written as part of a challenge. Although many of our traits are shaped by genetics, the environment that we live in also leaves its mark on us. By looking back to the era of my birth I am gaining insights into the lives of my parents and to the person I became. I’m hoping that by sharing ‘my story’ I can encourage others in the family connection to write ‘their’ story and offer it for sharing...