Family History Friday - The Black Sheep

We all have them right?  The black sheep of the family.  Sometimes they are the most fascinating of ancestors and there is a free online database for those in trouble with the law.  I found out about Black Sheep Ancestors during a course I'm taking online https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/genealogy/5

Black Sheep includes USA, Canadian and UK records of prisoners and links to court records and executions. Here's the website link  http://www.blacksheepancestors.com/

Try it out and let me know what you find!  Happy searching. 

Angela Bobier
Cultural Manage

Do You Recognize These Pictures?

These photos were in the care of Elaine Pearce Brown and family, but none of us know who or where these were taken.  We'd like any information that can be had and then we will either add them to the museum collection of re-home them to the appropriate people or archives.  Hopefully someone in the community can help us identify the people and places.  info@backuspagehouse.ca  

Back says "Allan's School Picture.  Allan in Scotch suit."

Back says "Liddy's House Chatham"

Back says "Ernest Brown - Aunt Jennie Family"

World War 2 British Child Evacuees to Canada

From the recent OGS e-news.

World War 2 British Child Evacuees to Canada
John D. Reid, Canada’s Anglo-Celtic Connnections
 
Those who didn't get to John’s talk at OGS Ottawa Branch last Saturday may be interested to view the National Film Board (Canada) video shown at the end of the presentation.

It is Second World War propaganda, everything wasn't as rosy in Canada as portrayed, but allowing for that tells the story from the perspective of 1940. You will likely recognize the narrator.  To view it, click here.

Family History Friday - Stevenson Part 2

Since we featured a picture of John Edwin Stevenson's family band a couple weeks ago, Sandra Sales mentioned we could post a picture of Robert Stevenson's family orchestra from the book the "Wallacetown United Church" by Margaret Welch.  If anyone has a copy of this book we'd be happy to accept one as a donation to add to our resource library here at Backus-Page House Museum.  

Family History Friday - Stevenson

Thanks to Sandra Sales for providing these photographs because she read a past blog post about the Stevenson family bible from July, 2014 donated to the museum by Jennifer (Stevenson) Worth.  Click here for that post.  If you have local family photos from West Elgin, Southwold, Aldborough and Dunwich townships we'd love to feature your family on the blog.  Just contact Angela at 519-762-3072 or email info@backuspagehouse.ca   Corrections on final photograph added January 9, 2019.

1. Likely Eliza (Williams) Stevenson wife of James Stevenson, b. circa Mar. 12, 1825 Watson’s Corners (near Burwell’s Corners), Gravestone inscription In memory of/Eliza/wife of/James Stevenson/died/March28, 1877 AE 52 y’s/& 16 d’s/Blessed are the dead/that die in the Lord. Fingal cemetery.

1. Four generations - Myrtle May Waite b 1895, d. 1975, James Stevenson b. 1814 Stirlingshire, Scotland, m. 1842 Eliza Williams of Watson’s Corners, d. 1906 Watson’s Corners, Annie (Stevenson) Waite, Robert Stevenson.

1. Robert Stevenson family – Back row: Ida Stevenson b. circa 1874, m. Radebaugh (a confectioner in Dutton), d. Aug. 1962 California, James P. (Jim) Stevenson b. circa 1874, d. June 28, 1945, Annie Stevenson, Maggie Stevenson, Henry (Harry) Albert Stevenson b. Feb. 8, 1877, m. Lois Bedford, daughter of preacher John Bedford Tyrconnell, d. Jan. 26, 1960. Front Row: Robert Stevenson b. 1843, d. Mar 9, 1919, Elizabeth Sarah (Lizzie) Stevenson b. 1882, m. Phil Bedford, d. 1978, Sarah (Crane) Stevenson b. Dec 17, 1844 Port Talbot, d. Dec 1925 Tyrconnell. This family had their own orchestra and entertained locally.

1. Sylvia Ann (Annie) Stevenson b. 1870, m. Richard Waite 1895, d. Oct. 7, 1948 and Margaret (Maggie) E. Stevenson b. circa 1868, m. William Brush, d. Apr. 3, 1947 – daughters of Robert Stevenson – mentioned in the Patterson diary at Backus-Page House.

1. Likely Sarah (Crane) Stevenson wife of Robert Stevenson, daughter of Peter and Mary (Willson) Crane Tyrconnell, granddaughter of George and Isabella (Findlay) Crane (who were Thomas Talbot’s first settlers 1806 Plum Point Dunwich), b. Dec. 14, 1844 Port Talbot, d. Dec. 1925 Tyrconnell.

1. Stevenson reunion 1944 to celebrate Annie and Richard Waite’s 50^th anniversary. Standing: George Waite, Allan Waite, Maggie Waite, Richard Waite, Annie (Stevenson) Waite, Earl Stevenson, (?), Jim Stevenson, John Robb, Maggie (Stevenson) Brush, Lois (Bedford) Stevenson, Henry (Harry) Stevenson. Kneeling: (?) (?) possibly Jim Stevenson’s two daughters, Dorothy (Stidwell) Stevenson and Wayne, Marion McFarlane (my mother), Neil McFarlane.

1. A Crane family picnic on Aug. 22, 1901 at Tyrconnell Ontario. Children and their spouses of Peter and Mary (Willson) Crane of Coyne Road Tyrconnell. Back row: John E. Crane, Will Crane, Robert Stevenson, Ben Crane. Front row: Sarah Catherine (Mitchell) Crane, Sarah Jane (Austerhout) Crane, Sarah (Crane Stevenson, Belle (Crane) Haycroft, Emma Maria (Crane) Cole, Hattie (Morrish) Crane. 

1. Annie Waite and Jim Stevenson with 100 year old Maria (pronounced Mariah) Burwell Johnson of Watson's Corners. Her father was first cousin of Mahlon Burwell and she was the first cousin of Robert Stevenson. http://dorothystewart.net/2017/01/05/maria-burwell-johnson-1835-1938/ 

Family History Friday - Katherine Elizabeth (Backus) Sifton

Katherine Elizabeth (Backus) Sifton recalls Pleasant Days on the Farm and we hope you will join us September 10-11, 2016 for our annual Heritage Farm Show at Backus-Page House Museum, Katherine's childhood home.  Katherine was the daughter of Andrew and Mary Jane Backus.   

Dutton Advance, August 21, 1947

Family History Friday - Reunions and Picnics

Summer is almost here and I bet you've started getting invitations to family reunions and picnics.  I hope you attend the ones you get invited to because if not you are missing out on meeting some people who may have the next piece of information you have been searching for to move you ahead in your genealogy research.

You better be prepared to gather information, so at least bring a pen and paper, or a fully charged smartphone with a note taking app.  Even better would be to bring 3 or 4 questions that you need answered to move forward in your research.  For example where was great grandpa Smith born?  Does anyone know great great aunt Hilda's children's names?  If you have your family tree saved on your laptop or tablet, set up and ask everyone to come over during the reunion and tell you whatever details they can remember for their immediate family.

I have a simple name only generational descendant chart I created in Excel for the Bobier Family Reunion.  I tape the pages onto a folding table each year and ask everyone to look it over and add missing people.  A couple years ago we added an entire branch of the tree because one of the descendants who hadn't attended in years was there and wrote out everything she knew.  We now have 8 generations showing.

Take a handful of old photos.  I suggest taking copies NOT the originals because there's a lot of food and beverages at these things and sure to be a spill.  Ask family to identify anyone you can't.  You'd be surprised how many people you will get names for or at least good guesses.

Gather as many people's contact information as possible.  Emails, Facebook, and phone numbers are great to keep in contact between reunions and exchange old pictures and research.  Remember to have fun and enjoy the food!


Did you know you could hold your family reunion or picnic here at Backus-Page House Museum?  We have a beautiful location with heritage buildings, gardens and grounds.  There's lots of room for kids or kids at heart to play, plus walking trails and museum tours.  Call today 519-762-3072 to schedule your special occasion.                            Angela Bobier, Cultural Manager

Family History Friday: Poorhouse Cemetery, Simcoe Dedication

                                                Poorhouse Cemetery Dedication

A Dedication Service is scheduled for the Poorhouse Cemetery in Simcoe this Sunday (June 5^th) at 2:00 p.m.

Located on County property northeast of the Norfolk County Court House, this site is the final resting place of many Norfolk County residents who resided at the Farm, more commonly known as the Poorhouse/County Home.

The Cemetery was designated as a Norfolk County Heritage site in 2007. It is also recognized as an official cemetery within Norfolk County

Reverend Paul Sherwood of Trinity Anglican Church will officiate. Mary Caughill, Chair of the Norfolk Heritage Committee, and Bill Terry, a member of the former Norfolk Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society, will also participate in the service which will be emceed by Norfolk Councillor Peter Black. 

Ms. Caughill notes that the Heritage Committee began to plan the event some time ago. Last year a Storyboard had been installed beside 28 memorial markers that had been dug out of a wooded area and laid flat in a cement pad in the early 1970’s.

Bill Terry has unearthed a newspaper article from 1968 that appeared in the Port Dover Maple Leaf on the 100 anniversary of the home.  The article quotes from the records of Monroe Landon (1859).  The final two paragraphs offer a fitting reference point for the dedication event.

“It is the county’s intention to plant trees again on the flats and no doubt that area will eventually become part of a park system. It would seem of future historic interest to preserve and mark the site of the old house, the first cabin, the spring, the sugar maple still standing that the boy Landon planted in the southeast corner of the barn yard about 1840 and most important the old cemetery near the northeast boundary. Some of the old split cedar fence rails that were produced on the place may still be found along this cemetery. 

The old cemetery was cleaned up this winter by the reforestation crew, under Mr. Cecil Pettinger, and is deeply appreciated by all those who have noticed the improvement. We hope to plant it to ground covers and bulks.”

The public is welcome to Sunday’s event which will take place rain or shine.  Parking is available at the courthouse and along the roadway.  Attendees will be required to walk to the site.

Melissa Collver

Manager, Heritage & Culture

Norfolk County

Ph: 519-426-5870 ext. 1347

Fax: 519-427-5901

Family History Friday with the Elgin Branch of the O.G.S.

We believe in supporting and promoting other local organizations, one of which, is the Elgin County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society.  Our Cultural Manager, Angela Bobier, is a member.  Why not attend the next meeting and see what they are all about?  Everyone welcome and the meeting is free.

Wednesday, November 25

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

St. Thomas Public Library, Carnegie Room

Topic: Who is in your Family? Members can talk about their ancestors and their family trees.

Election of Officers for 2016 - All positions available. Help is needed to run the branch!

Silent Book Auction - Treasures from the Archives and other places.

Family History Friday - Andrew Backus

When compiling information about a person from the past, you sometimes get overwhelmed with all the dates that may or may not be important to telling their story.  I am consistently finding dates that fit into the biographies of the people associated with Backus-Page House Museum and surrounding area.  I've found it helpful to open up a Word document and start a timeline for each of them.

I thought I'd share with you the current timeline for Andrew Backus. There will be many duplicates between Andrew and his wife, Mary Jane's, timelines since they share children, family, and residence.  Her timeline was posted last week.  If you have information that can be added please post a comment or send me an email at info@backuspagehouse.ca
Happy History!
Angela Bobier
Cultural Manager

Biography of Andrew Backus

1812    January 1 in Dunwich Twp.  Lot 13 Concession 10

1814    Log house of Stephen and Anne (Storey) Backus was looted during War of 1812.

1814    Brother Joseph Backus born

1816    September 28 Brother Thomas Backus born

1816    The Year Without Summer (weather anomaly due to volcano eruption)

1818    June 28  Sister Mary backus born

1820    April 16 Thomas BACKUS, born Sept. 28, 1816, bap Apr. 16, 1820, son of Stephen & Anne; sponsors Leslie PATTERSON, John PEARCE, Elizabeth & Sarah STEWART  Baptisms by Rectors of the Anglican Church in St. Thomas

1820        April 18 Mary BACKUS, born June 28, 1818, bap Apr. 18, 1820, dau of Stephen & Anne; sponsors Leslie PATTERSON, John PEARCE, Elizabeth & Sarah STEWART  Baptisms by Rectors of the Anglican Church in St. Thomas

1821        May 22 Sister Olivia Backus born

1822    The first school was held in the home of John Pearce in 1822 – The first teacher was Thomas Gardener.

1822    June 26 Olivia BACKUS, born May 22, 1821, bap. June 26, 1822; dau of Stephen & Anne; sponsors Walter STORY, Mary STEWART & Elizabeth STEWART  Baptisms by Rectors of the Anglican Church in St. Thomas

1823    Sister Sarah Anne Backus born

1823    September 8  Sarah Ann BACKUS, bap Sept. 8, 1824, dau of Stephen & Anne; sponsors William PEARCE, Frances PEARCE & Catherine PEARCE  Baptisms by Rectors of the Anglican Church in St. Thomas

1824    John Miles Farlane kept school in a house on Lot 11 Concession 11, this was located on one side of the settlement and the people felt that the school should be more centralized and so erected a school on the corner of the Backus land.

1825    Brother Stephen Jr. Backus born

1825    June 21  Stephen BACKUS, bap June 21, 1825, son of Stephen & Anne; sponsors Walter STORY, Leslie PEARCE, Elizabeth & Sarah STEWART  Baptisms by Rectors of the Anglican Church in St. Thomas

1825    Stephen and Anne (Storey) Backus built west section of house.

1827    Brother Robert Backus born

1827    August 21 Robert BACKUS, bap Aug. 21, 1827, son of Stephen & Anne  Baptisms by Rectors of the Anglican Church in St. Thomas

1827    August 21 Andrew Backus confirmed by Lord Bishop of Quebec in Dunwich Twp

1829    Brother Henry Backus born

1831    January 19 Sister Hannah Backus born

1831    January 30 Hannah BACKUS, born Jan. 19, 1831, bap Jan. 30, 1831, dau of Stephen & Anne; sponsors Walter PATTERSON, Hannah PATTERSON and Mary Anne PEARCE [note - surname is incorrectly spelled "BECKIS" in register]  Baptisms by Rectors of the Anglican Church in St. Thomas

1832    October 29  Brother Walter Backus born

1832    November 18  Walter BACKUS, born Oct. 29, 1832, bap Nov. 18, 1832, son of Stephen & Anne, sponsors John PEARCE, William PEARCE, Frances PEARCE  Baptisms by Rectors of the Anglican Church in St. Thomas

1833  The school on the Backus land fell into decay and seeing the need for a new school, the settlers got together in 1833, organized a bee and a log schoolhouse was erected on land donated by James Conn. The schoolhouse was completed in 1835. The older children and youths went to St. Thomas to further their education.

1838    Andrew was given his grandmother’s property; he would eventually build the Backus-Page House here

1839  May 2  Married            to Mary Jane Hamilton in Dunwich Twp Andrew aged 27 Mary Jane 23

1839    Stephen Backus, Andrew’s father, gave him 125 acres of land

1840 November 5 Daughter Eliza Ann Backus                      

1842 February 2 Son Walter Backus Born

1842  March 20  Walter BACKUS, born Feb. 2, 1842, bap Mar. 20, 1842, son of Andrew & Mary, sponsors Joseph BACKUS, Sally BACKUS & Stephen BACKUS  Baptisms by Rectors of the Anglican Church in St. Thomas

1842    Grandmother Mary Storey died

1843    March 4 Daughter Mary Jane Born

1843    April 9  Mary Jane BACKUS, born Mar. 4, 1843, bap Apr. 9, 1843, dau of Andrew & Mary Jane; sponsors William PEARCE, Olivia BACKUS & Mary MOREHOUSE  Baptisms by Rectors of the Anglican Church in St. Thomas

1844    February 15 Brother Henry Storey Backus Died

1844    February 23 and 25  Eliza Ann and Walter Died

1844    December Son Stephen Alexander Backus Born

1846    Son William Henry Backus Born

1848    Son Andrew Storey Backus Born

1848    Robert Morris was hired to build the east section of the Stephen Backus House

1850    June Daughter Sarah Ann Backus Born

1850    Andrew employs Robert Morris to help him built the house

1851    June 13 Family eat their first meal in house.

Wills of Elgin County 1846-1852  Estate of John Pearce – Andrew Backus was one of 3 witnesses. 

1852    August late Son Robert John Backus Born

1852    September 10 Robert John Backus Died

1853    The Tyrconnell Wharf and Harbour Company began. Andrew and his family did not invest

1854    Daughter Katherine Elizabeth Born

1857    April  Anne Storey, Andrew’s mother Died

1858    Amelia Olivia Victoria            Born

1859    Infant daughter born

1859    Infant daughter died

1860    Sister Olivia Died

1860    Brother Walter Died

1861    April  Andrew bought shares in the Dunwich Pier Company for $20 a share

1862    Elizabeth Hamilton, Mary Jane’s mother, died

1862    Son Arthur Edmond Backus Born

1862    Arthur Edmond Backus Died at 10 days old

1864    Sister Hannah Died

1865    November  Stephen Backus, Andrew’s father, died

1871    Sarah Ann Backus married Thomas Leslie Pearce

1874    Mary Jane Backus married John R. Gow

1877    March 1  William Henry Backus married Euphemia Buchanan at St. Thomas

1878    Stephen Alexander Backus married Francis Morrish

1879    Amelia Olivia Victoria Backus married Thomas C. Humphries

1880    Andrew Storey Backus, a local farmer, married Eliza Ann Potticary

1883    Alexander Hamilton, Mary Jane’s father, died

1884    Sister Sarah Anne Died

1885  March 22 Andrew Backus died and left the farm to his son, Andrew Storey Backus.

Family History Friday - Mary Jane Hamilton Backus

When compiling information about a person from the past, you sometimes get overwhelmed with all the dates that may or may not be important to telling their story.  I am consistently finding dates that fit into the biographies of the people associated with Backus-Page House Museum and surrounding area.  I've found it helpful to open up a Word document and start a timeline for each of them.

When you do this you realize some odd circumstances.  For Mary Jane and Andrew in February 1844 they lose two young children and Andrew's brother within a 10 day time period.  This makes me wonder if there was an illness, such as cholera, in the area and I've added that to my research list of things to find out.  Normally a biography ends with the person's death, but I've added the death of Mary Jane's brother because it is one day after her's.  Could be a coincidence, but that is another item on my list to research to look for both causes of death.

I thought I'd share with you the current timeline for Mary Jane (Hamilton) Backus and next week I'll post the same for husband, Andrew Backus.  If you have information that can be added please post a comment or send me an email at info@backuspagehouse.ca
Happy History!
Angela Bobier
Cultural Manager

Biography to date of Mary Jane (Hamilton) Backus

1816    The Year Without Summer (weather anomaly due to volcano eruption)

1816    November 30 Born in Ireland

1816-1820 Alexander, Elizabeth & family Hamilton come to Canada

1822    The first school was held in the home of John Pearce in 1822 – The first teacher was Thomas Gardener.

1824    John Miles Farlane kept school in a house on Lot 11 Concession 11, this was located on one side of the settlement and the people felt that the school should be more centralized and so erected a school on the corner of the Backus land.

1833  The school on the Backus land fell into decay and seeing the need for a new school, the settlers got together in 1833, organized a bee and a log schoolhouse was erected on land donated by James Conn. The schoolhouse was completed in 1835. The older children and youths went to St. Thomas to further their education.

1839  May 2  Married Mary Jane Hamilton in Dunwich Twp Andrew aged 27 Mary Jane 23

1839    Stephen Backus, Andrew’s father, gave him 125 acres of land

1840 November 5 Daughter Eliza Ann Backus                      

1842 February 2 Son Walter Backus Born

1842  March 20  Walter BACKUS, born Feb. 2, 1842, bap Mar. 20, 1842, son of Andrew & Mary, sponsors Joseph BACKUS, Sally BACKUS & Stephen BACKUS  Baptisms by Rectors of the Anglican Church in St. Thomas

1842    Andrew’s Grandmother Mary Storey died

1843    March 4 Daughter Mary Jane Born

1843    April 9  Mary Jane BACKUS, born Mar. 4, 1843, bap Apr. 9, 1843, dau of Andrew & Mary Jane; sponsors William PEARCE, Olivia BACKUS & Mary MOREHOUSE  Baptisms by Rectors of the Anglican Church in St. Thomas

1844    February 15 Brother-in-law Henry Storey Backus Died

1844    February 23 and 25  Eliza Ann and Walter Died

1844    December Son Stephen Alexander Backus Born

1846    Son William Henry Backus Born

1848    Son Andrew Storey Backus Born

1850    June Daughter Sarah Ann Backus Born

1850    Andrew employs Robert Morris to help him built the house

1851    June 13 Family eat their first meal in house.

1852    August late Son Robert John Backus Born

1852    September 10 Robert John Backus Died

1852    December 19 Mary Jane’s sister-in-law Harietta died (possibly in childbirth as baby lived 12 days????)

1853    The Tyrconnell Wharf and Harbour Company began. Andrew and his family did not invest

1854    Daughter Katherine Elizabeth Born

1857    April  Anne Storey, Andrew’s mother Died

1858    Amelia Olivia Victoria Born

1859    Infant daughter born

1859    Infant daughter died

1860    Sister-in-law Olivia Backus Died

1860    Brother-in-law Walter Backus Died

1861    April  Andrew bought shares in the Dunwich Pier Company for $20 a share

1862    April 5  Elizabeth Hamilton, Mary Jane’s mother, died

1862    Son Arthur Edmond Backus Born

1862    Arthur Edmond Backus Died at 10 days old

1863    August 17 Alexander Hamilton, Mary Jane’s father, died at Tyrconnell

1864    Sister-in-law Hannah Backus Died

1865    November  Stephen Backus, Andrew’s father, died

1871    Sarah Ann Backus married Thomas Leslie Pearce

1874    Mary Jane Backus married John R. Gow

1877    March 1  William Henry Backus married Euphemia Buchanan at St. Thomas

1878    Stephen Alexander Backus married Francis Morrish

1879    Amelia Olivia Victoria Backus married Thomas C. Humphries

1880    Andrew Storey Backus, a local farmer, married Eliza Ann Potticary

1884    Sister-in-law Sarah Anne Died

1885  March 22 Andrew Backus died and left the farm to his son, Andrew Storey Backus.

1887    Sister-in-law Mary Died

1891    Son Stephen Alexander Died

1892    September 18 Mary Jane (Hamilton) Backus  Dies

1892    September 19  brother Archibald Hamilton Dies

Family History Fridays - The Last 5 Photographs

A photo album was donated to the museum collection and none of them are labelled.  The only writing we can find refers to Johnny Sloan, 1887 and a Mc. McPherson of Wallacetown.  If you have any idea who these people are or what family they may belong to (most likely Sloan, McArthur, McPherson, Allen and others), please contact us.  The photo album is full so we have been posting photographs every Friday all summer long.  These are the last photographs.    

Angela Bobier 519-762-3072  info@backuspagehouse.ca 

Family History Fridays - Do You Know These People?

A photo album has just been donated to the museum collection and none of them are labelled.  The only writing we can find refers to Johnny Sloan, 1887.  If you have any idea who these people are or what family they may belong to (most likely Sloan, McArthur, Allen and others), please contact us.  The photo album is full so we will be posting more photographs over the next few weeks for Family History Fridays.  

Angela Bobier 519-762-3072  info@backuspagehouse.ca 

Family History Friday - Photographs Without Names

A photo album has just been donated to the museum collection and none of them are labelled.  The only writing we can find refers to Johnny Sloan, 1887.  If you have any idea who these people are or what family they may belong to (most likely Sloan, McArthur, Allen and others), please contact us.  The photo album is full so we will be posting more photographs over the next few weeks for Family History Fridays.  

Angela Bobier 519-762-3072  info@backuspagehouse.ca 

Family History Fridays - Can You Name These People?

A photo album has just been donated to the museum collection and none of them are labelled.  The only writing we can find refers to Johnny Sloan, 1887.  If you have any idea who these people are or what family they may belong to (most likely Sloan, McArthur, Allen and others), please contact us.  The photo album is full so we will be posting more photographs over the next few weeks for Family History Fridays.  

Angela Bobier 519-762-3072  info@backuspagehouse.ca 

Family History Friday - Yet More Photos With No Names

A photo album has just been donated to the museum collection and none of them are labelled.  The only writing we can find refers to Johnny Sloan, 1887 and Ms. McPherson of Wallacetown.  If you have any idea who these people are or what family they may belong to (most likely Sloan, McArthur, Allen and others), please contact us.  The photo album is full so we will be posting more photographs over the next few weeks for Family History Fridays.  

Angela Bobier 519-762-3072  info@backuspagehouse.ca