Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Methodist Records 1853-1900, Wakefield/Rupert QC area



Methodist Records 1853-1900
1.
Rugglis Allen farmer died on the twenty day of January one thousand eight hundred and fifty three buried on the thirtieth day of January one thousand eight hundred and fifty three
Christopher Davies, Isabella Davies} Witnesses
John Howe, Minister

2.
Abraham Irwin son of Joseph Irwin Farmer and Mary Pritchard his wife of the Township of Wakefield in the District of Ottawa died on the ninth day of July one thousand eight hundred and fifty three in Wakefield Buried in Wakefield July the tenth one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.

3.
Sarah Moor died in Masham August the eleventh one thousand eight hundred and fifty three intered in Masham Aug. the twelfth one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
Adam Kennedy, William Kennedy} witnesses
John Howe, Minister

4.
George Johnston Senr Farmer died in Masham August the seventeenth one thousand eight hundred and fifty three intered in Masham August the nineteenth one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
William Johnston, (Illegible) Wiggins} Witnesses
John Howe, Minister




5.
Mary Ann Hill wife of Joseph Hill died on the twenty fourth of October one thousand eight hundred and fifty three in Wakefield was buried in Wakefield October the twenty ninth one thousand eight hundred and fifty three
Jeremiah Mullen, Patrick Mullen} Witnesses
John Howe, Minister

6.
Francis son of Seth Cates merchant and Mary Link his wife of Wakefield died in Wakefield November the seventh one thousand eight hundred and fifty three was buried in Wakefield November the eights one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
Joseph Irwin, Geo. Hall} Witnesses
John Howe, Minister

7.
Arthur Campbell, infant son of Hugh and Maria Turner, died in Templeton, December the seventeenth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty six
E. A. Glassford, Joseph Barber} witnesses
Geo. Carr, Minister

8.
James, son of John Douglas Irwin and Maria Stanley (?), born in the Township of Wakefield, on the second day of February, one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven, died in the township of Wakefield on the third day of February, one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven.
John Draper, Maria Draper} witnesses
Geo. Carr, Minister


9.
George Brash, farmer, of the Township of Templeton aged ____years Died in the Township of Templeton on the twenty third day of March , one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven.
William R. McLatchie (?), Elizabeth McLatchie (?)}  Witnesses
Geo. Carr, Minister

10.
(Illegible) Wright, farmer, of the township of Hull, aged forty seven baptized and died in the Township of Hull on the twenty second day of April one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven.
Mary Wright, Robert Sully} Witnesses
Geo. Carr, Minister

11.
Daniel Mc Donald, farmer, of the township of Masham, aged fifty (sixty?) eight years, Died in the Township of Masham, on the seventeenth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven.
Mary Mc Donald, Robert Wiggins} Witnesses
Geo. Carr, Minister

12.
Robert Neeley, son of Alexander Neely and Ann Mills, aged twenty one years, Died in Wakefield on the thirty first day of July one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven
Alexander Neeley, Ann Neeley} witnesses
Geo Carr (?), Minister




13.
Thomas Copeland,  (illegible) and dry goods dealer aged sixty seven years, died in the Township of Wakefield, on the ninth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight.
James Copeland, William Copeland} witnesses
Geo. Carr, Minister

14.
Margaret Brown daughter of Thomas McNair and Margaret his wife aged twenty two years died in Masham on the (illegible) of March one thousand eight hundred and sixty.
Geo Hall (?), Ina Hall (?)} Witnesses
Michael Baxter, Minister

15.
George Wright native of Hull Canada baptized thirty six years died in the Township of Wright on the _______  and was buried in the aforementioned township on the _____ in the presence of subscribing witness
William Wright, Andrew Mc Cann
Mr Andrew Armstrong, Minister

16.
James Woods native of the County Armagh Ireland aged seventy years died in the Township of Masham in the County of Ottawa and Province of Canada on the first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty and was buried in Masham on the third day of May one thousand eight hundred and sixty one in presence of the undersigned witnesses
James Woods, John Woods} witnesses
Andrew Armstrong, Minister


17. Hannah Parker Abbot, wife of William (illegible), farmer  of (illegible) was buried on the eleventh of January eighteen hundred and sixty nine
Andrew Pritchard, Samuel Wells Evans (?)} witnesses
Daniel Connolly, Minister

18.
William Edward son of Thomas and Elizabeth Fraser of the Township of (Illegible) county of Ottawa was born the sixth of August one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven and was buried September fourth one thousand eight hundred and seventy two by me in the presence of the following witnesses
(no witnesses names or signatures)
R. M. Hammond (minister)

19.
Ann, daughter of Samuel Chilcott farmer of the Township of Masham and County of Ottawa and Margaret Chilcott his wife was born the thirty first day of May one thousand eight hundred and fifty two and b__ied by me the third of November one thousand eight hundred and seventy two in the presence of the following witnesses
George Johnston, John Joints (?)} witnesses
R. M. Hammond (minister)

20.
M____, daughter of John McElroy (?), farmer of the Township of Templeton and County of Ottawa and Mary Jane Robinson his wife was born the seventeenth of March one thousand eight hundred and seventy three and buried by me the (illegible) of April one ____and eight hundred and seventy three in the ____sence of the following witnesses
___ McLatchie, ___ Mc Latchie
R. M. Hammond (minister)


21.
The nineteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy seven we the undersigned of North Wakefield in the County of Ottawa and Province of Quebec have interred in the Cemetery of North Wakefield the body of Ruggles Pritchard, son of Andrew Pritchard, merchant of North Wakefield and of Mary Eddie, deceased the seventeenth day of August and year aforesaid in this Parish aged twelve years. The witnesses were Margaret Keough and Eleanor Keough who have signed with us.
M. Keough, Ellie (?) Keough} witnesses
J. B. Keough (minister)

22.
The nineteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy nine we the undersigned of North Wakefield in the County of Ottawa and the Province of Quebec have interred in the Cemetery of North Wakefield Andrew Pritchard of North Wakefield Merchant Husband of Mary Eddy deceased on the seventeenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy nine in this parish aged fifty nine years. The witnesses were Mary Pritchard and Francis Pritchard who have signed with us.
Mary Pritchard, Frances Pritchard} Witnesses
J. B. Keough (minister)

23.
The sixth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy nine we the undersigned of the Township of Wakefield in the County of Ottawa and the Province of Quebec have interred the body of Mary Gertrude daughter of Samuel Kennedy Farmer of Masham in the County aforesaid and Ann Hall, deceased on the fourth day of May in the year aforesaid in this Parish. The witnesses were Samuel Kennedy and Robert Kennedy who have signed with us.
Samuel Kennedy, Robert Kennedy} witnesses
J. B. Keough (minister)



24.
The twelfth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy nine we the undersigned of Wakefield in the County of Ottawa and Province of Quebec have interred in the Cemetery of Wakefield Robert Earle of Wakefield Farmer Husband of Charlet Baldwin deceased on the tenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy nine in this parish aged seventy three. The Witnesses were
Erasmus Earle, Lizzie Earl
Jas. O’Hara, Methodist Minister

25.
Sarah Cross of the village of Wakefield in the County of Ottawa died on the twenty second of March 8in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty one and was buried by me on the twenty fifth day of the said month in the said year.
William Cross, Maria Cross} witnesses
Jas O’Hara (minister)

26.
John Arthur Mitchel of the Township of Masham in the County of Ottawa died on the twenty seventh day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty one and was buried by me on the twenty ninth day of the said month in the said year.
Joseph (illegible)
Mary Ann Mitchell

27.
Mary Ann (Illegible) of the Township of Masham  in the County of Ottawa died on the twenty sixth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty one and was buried by me on the twenty eighth day of the same month and in the same year.
J. Fallick (minister)
Robert (illegible), Jana (illegible)} witnesses
28.
On the ninth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty two I the undersigned of North Wakefield interred in the Cemetery of Wakefield the body of Mary Margaret daughter of Daniel Morrison of Wakefield (illegible) and of (illegible) Susanna his wife deceased on the seventh day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
Daniel Morrison and Susanna Morrison (witnesses) signed with me.
J. Fallick (minister)

29.
On the nineteenth day of February n the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty two I the undersignedof North Wakefield interred in the cemetery of Wakefield the body of Catherine M (?) daughter of Alexander Leggart (Taggart?) laboring man of Wakefield and of Jani his wife deceased on the eighteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight two. Age___ Alexander Leggart (Taggart?) signs with me.
Alexander Leggart (Taggart?) } witness
J. Fallick, minister

30.  On the twenty sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty two I the undersigned Joseph Fallich interred in the Cemetery of Wakefield body of Dorris daughter of Erasmus Trowse farmer and of Annie his wife deceased March the twenty fourth in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty two age three years two months and twenty days the witness as well as the father have signed.
Anne Trowse, George Trowse, Erasmus Trowse} Witnesses
J. Fallick (minister)

31.
Johanna Purdy of the Township of Eardly in the County of Ottawa wife of James Henry Brown farmer died September seventh in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty two and was buried by me on the tenth day of the Said month in the Said year.
(Illegible) Brown, Eliza (illegible) Brown, James H. Brown} witnesses
Joseph Fallick (minister)
32.
Catherine Johnston of the Township of Masham in the County of Ottawa wife of William Johnston farmer died on the fourteenth day of October (?) in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty two and was buried by me on the Sixteenth day of the said month in the said year. The witnesses have signed with us.
(illegible), William Johnston, Francis Johnston } Witnesses
J. Fallick (minister)

33.
On the twenty first day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty three I the undersigned interred in the Cemetery of Masham the Body of William Thompson son of James Thompson farmer and of his wife Mary Ann died Apr8il the nineteenth in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty three age twenty five.
James Thompson} witness
Joseph Fallick (minister)

34.
Adelaid Porter Pritchard of the Township of Masham County of Ottawa daughter of Tomas Pritchard farmer and of Elvira Hamilton his lawful wife died on the fourteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and eighty three and was buried by me on the Sixteenth day of May in the same year and Township above mentioned in the presence of Said witnesses.
Thomas Pritchard, Ferguson Pritchard(?)} witnesses
J. Fallick (minister)

35.
Alexander E (illegible) of the Township ff Masham County of Ottawa died on the fifteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty three and was buried by me on the sixteenth day of the Said month in the Said year in the presences of the subscribed witnesses
Alexander Usher, Isabella McK (illegible), Thomas (illegible)} witnesses
J. Fallick (minister)

36.
James Thompson of the Township of Masham County of Ottawa Son of George Thompson and of Mary Ann (illegible) his wife died on the second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty three and was buried by me in Masham on the fourth day of the said month and in the Said year as the (illegible). Relatives cannot write.
William Gibson, illegible} witnesses
J. Fallick (minister)

37.
Robert Edward Cross (?) of the Township of Hull in the County of Ottawa son of Robert Cross and Elizabeth Wells (?) his lawful wife died on the ninth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty three and was buried by me on the eleventh day of September in the same year and Township above mentioned .
Maea (?) Cross , Robert Cross } witnesses
J Fallick (minister)

38.
Richard Woodland of the Township of (illegible) in the County of Ottawa Son of Richard Woodland farmer and of Frances Machet his lawful wife died October twenty third in the year of our lord on thousand eight hundred and eighty three and was buried by me on the twenty (illegible) day of Said month of the Said year the Witnesses have signed
Frances Matchet, Frances Woodland, Richard Woodland }witnesses
J. Fallick (minister)





39.
William Copeland of the Township of Wakefield in the County of Ottawa farmer died on the ninth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty four and was buried by me on the eleventh day of the said month of the Said year.
(Illegible) Nickle} witness
J. Fallick (Minister)

40.
Robert Harbison of the Township of Masham in the County of Ottawa farmer died on the eight day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Eighty four and was buried by me on the Eleventh day of the Said month in the Said year. The proper witnesses cannot write.
George Harbison, Margaret Harbison } Witnesses
J. Fallick, Minister

41.
William Poole of Wakefield in the County of Ottawa Harness Maker died on the Thirtieth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and eighty Two and was buried by me on the Second day of May of the Said month in the Same Year.
Joseph Fallick, Minister


42.
Elizabeth Ellend of the Township of Masham in the County of Ottawa farmer died on the Seventh day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty Four and was buried by me on the eight day of the Said month in the Said year. The relatives cannot write.
J. Fallick, Minister



43.
Fanny Woodland wife of Richard Woodland (illegible) of the Township of Masham County of Ottawa PQ died July twenty ninth eighteen eighty four aged sixty four and was interred by me in the Masham Cemetery on the thirty (illegible) first of above month and year in the presence of the following
James Gibson, John Thompson} Witnesses
J. C. (illegible looks like Osh--, possibly O’Hara) Minister

44.
Margaret Edith Murdock (Murdock struck out) daughter of James and Rebecca Murdoch died on the twenty-ninth day of January eighteen eighty five and was buried by me on the thirty first day  of the same month and in the same year/
Charles (illegible), A__ Ne__ (illegible)
J. C. Osborne (may not be correct, not on the list of Methodist ministers N Geggie)

45.
Mary Irwin of the township of Masham in the County of Ottawa (illegible) died on March twenty eight eighteen eighty four aged 76(?) and was buried by me in the (illegible) on the illegible day of the (illegible)
James Pritchard, (illegible) Pritchard } witnesses
(illegible) (Minister)

46.
Letitia  Johnston of the City of Ottawa wife of (Robt?) B. Johnston died on the (twenty?) seventh of June eighteen eighty-five of heart- disease aged sixty two years and was interred by me in the Mash (paper crumbled away) Cemetery on the thirtieth of the above month in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.
James Machet, Duncan McDonald } witnesses
J. C. O-----(illegible)

47.
Richard Thompson son of John Thompson farmer of Masham County, County of Ottawa, Province of Quebec, died on the eighteen day of August eighteen eighty f--- aged fourteen. Disease (Con—illegible) and was interred by me in the Masham Cemetery on the (illegible) day of the same month and year.
John Thompson, Edward Thompson} witnesses
J. C. Osborne (guessing at minister’s name, not on N. Geggie’s list) (Minister)

48.
George Hall Farmer of the township of Wakefield County of Ottawa province of Quebec died on the third of Sept eighteen eighty five aged eighty one and was interred by me in the Stevenson’s Cemetery on the fourth of the above month and year.
Erasmus Trowsse, W. C. Poole} witnesses
J.C. Osborne (minister)

49.
Thomas W. Trowse son of (illegible two initials) Trowse farmer of the township of Wakefield county of Ottawa pro. Of Quebec died Oct. Fifth aged seven years and eleven months and was interred by me on the fifth of the above month in Stephenson’s Cemetery.
Erasmus Trowsse, Wm. C. Poole } witnesses
J. C. Osborne (minister)

50
Rachel Pritchard widow of the late Wm. H. Pritchard of La peche village county of Ottawa province of Quebec died on the thirteenth day of November eighty eighty-five of cancer in the eightieth year of her aged and was interred by me in the (illegible)---sons burial-ground n the fifteenth of the above month and year in the presence of witnesses.
H (N or W) C. Chamberlin, Joseph Patterson } witnesses
J. C. Osborne (minister)









Wednesday, 29 August 2012

Suffer the little children to come unto me...

One of the sobering realizations that I made while reading all those burial records was that a full one third of the interred were subadult-- under the age of 18. There were mothers that died shortly after childbirth too (though I didn't find a record of any such unfortunate mothers at Reilly Cemetery-- that doesn't mean there weren't any, just that there are no records that would indicate it). It was a dangerous time to be a child or a mother. There were very few things the doctors and midwives of the day could do and the burial demographic across Quebec and in Reilly Cemetery reflect this grim reality.

Another sobering realization came when comparing the lists of the dead according to the records and the names of those memorialized at Reilly Cemetery (using Elliot's 1972 list). The headstones and monuments commemorate 33 individuals. For these 33 people I have records of only 11. This does not mean we can just automatically triple the number of dead at Reilly Cemetery, but it does raise the possibility that such might well be the case.

Why are there so few records?

I can think of a few answers, but don't quote me on these-- they are just my thoughts on the subject:

a) in the early days maybe there wasn't a minister around to bury the dead
b) some records may have been lost
c) some records are definitely illegible
d) perhaps the minister was away that day burying someone else
e) maybe the minister never got around to writing up the record

Let's look at the information on the headstones of those commemorated at Reilly Cemetery but with no records...

1864 James Shouldice, aged 78 years (Headstone at RUC)
1864 Sarah Mitchell, wife of John Mahon, aged 82 years
1867 Wm Hindson Bennett, son of W. & M Bennett, aged 2 year, 4 mos
1874 Francis Cook, wife of Robert Nesbitt, aged 68 years
1875 Jane Mahon, wife of John Riley, aged 68 years
1876 Catherine Alice, daughter of J. & S Woods, 1 year, 6 months
1877 Alexander Usher, husband of Elizabeth Courtney, aged 74
1877 Elizabeth Courtney, wife if Alexander Usher, aged 73
1877 Jane Amanda Riley, daughter of G & E Riley, aged 2 years, 6 months
1878 Mary Reilly, wife of David Woods, aged 40 years
1880, 1882 Isobel and Jessie, daughters of Andrew and Elizabeth Hamilton
1881 Anne Dale, wife of Samuel Kennedy, aged 41 years
1886 James Woods, aged 60
1888 John Shouldice, aged 58 years (headstone at RUC)
1894 Wm Andrew Shannon, son of William and Sarah Jane Shannon, aged 17 years (headstone at RUC)
1896 David T.  Woods, aged 28 years
1899 David Woods, aged 70 years
1899 Sarah Reilly, wife of James Woods, aged 70 years
Undated Two infant children of Henry & Ann Mitchell

First we have no headstones here of those who died in the very early years of the settlement-- that doesn't mean there are no early settlers buried at Reilly Cemetery-- the confirmed records have two (Sarah Moor and George Johnston Sr). It is quite likely that there wasn't money in the early days for headstones but those two records show that ministers were around from time to time at least. In the 1860s the number without records is more than those with records. Interesting. I actually went down a rabbit hole on this and I don't have an adequate explanation-- at first I thought maybe there wasn't a Methodist minister, there was and he left records of burials in Masham and looking I see I have missed that one on my list so I will have to update the lists. Alas I had no proof reader so my lists are not perfect but they beat no list at all. I will fix.

If we take a quick look at the list above, 8 of the 22 people for which I don't have records were under age 18-- this is to be expected. But is a child as likely to be commemorated as an adult? Two of these monuments commemorate more than one child. Four children have their own monument. Multiple commemorations on one monument is not unusual for adults either so we can't read anything into this really.

Back to the lack of records... I went down another rabbit hole there...

When I was photographing the records there were 8 pages in a row that were totally illegible-- it was like they were bleached out and in that number of records I'd expect to see at least ONE death record, maybe more. Some ministers appeared to write things down on an irregular basis-- you can see this with  several births being bunched together, a few marriages in a row, and then deaths after that. My partner in crime and operator of the microfilm reader and I saw this pattern several times in the records. IF the 8 pages were done this way it could explain the lack of records in that period. I'd have to go back and see but I'm pretty sure those were 1860s or 70s. Can't remember which church. So illegible records may explain some of this. But not all. There were deaths with no records across the entire era. Maybe the minister who liked to write them all down in one sitting missed a few.

Maybe the minister was away that day, possibly burying someone else.  Alexander Usher and his wife Elizabeth Courtney died 19 days apart and there are no records for either of them. They were in their 70s, and disease often takes the very old and the very young. Can't prove it of course but it sure sounds like disease to me. According to the province of Quebec website, tuberculosis was the most common cause of death in adults in the 19th century. But where was the minister? Why is there no record? We may never know.

I mentioned in an earlier post about the standing stones. I think that the search of the records has confirmed what I long thought, that there are more people buried at Reilly Cemetery than the monuments out front would indicate. Conversely, the lack of records for two thirds of the commemorated (agreeing or disagreeing as the case may be) would support the possibility that there are far more people buried at Reilly Cemetery than the records indicate. I'm wondering if those standing stones I found while doing field work at Reilly Cemetery were indeed grave markers. Are they the graves of children or adults? The very large monuments at Reilly Cemetery are pretty much all commemorating adults. The very small marble monuments all commemorate children except for the round CMK which I believe was a foot stone for Catherin Mitchel Kennedy. If children generally rate small monuments, the standing stones may be predominantly for children. Just a thought. Maybe there are even more children without records than adults...

This is all conjecture...

Tuesday, 28 August 2012

What's in a Name?

In a way I've touched on how researchers need to be careful about name spellings already. Reilly is not the only name that has a number of interesting variations-- there's McDonald/MacDonald, McCordel/McCorkel/McCortel and of course Moore/Moor. I'm sure there are others as well!

At the guided tour I gave on July 14, 2012, a small mystery was cleared up. Nesbit with one and two ts appears in various records. Apparently both spellings were common at one time. A Nesbitt family member told me that his family name had been spelled with one t until a male Nesbit married a female Nesbitt and she insisted on the two ts becoming the family spelling. Cool huh?

When reading old records you really have to keep your wits about you because some discoveries are entirely serendipitous (not looked for and all of a sudden there it is). It's pretty common for family names to be carried on from generation to generation, for example there are two Samuels Chilcott in the records. There were two Mrs Samuel Chilcott, both named Ellen. This came to light with the records from 1897 in which Ellen, wife of Samuel Chilcott, died at age 78 as did the infant son of Samuel and Ellen Chilcott. What is the likelihood of a 78 year old woman giving birth in 1897? To firm this up, the burial record for the aged Ellen Chilcott was witnessed by Ellen Chilcott. I suspect the younger was the daughter in law of the elder, but I don't know that for certain. I am sure a Chilcott family geneaologist would know.

A Mrs Samuel Gibson, nee Ellen Dacon, died at age 79 in 1885. Another Mrs Samuel Gibson, nee Mary Stevenson, died in 1892 at age 75.  A Samuel Gibson died at 48 in 1883, making it unlikely he was married to either lady. Another Samuel Gibson died in 1892 at age 86, but was he married to Ellen or Mary or both sequentially?

I have a few Alexanders... On a headstone at Reilly Cemetery (I have no matching records) the deaths of Alexander Usher, age 74, and his wife Elizabeth Courtney (age 73) are recorded as having taken place in 1877. The burial of an Alex E. _____ (illegible record) (1883?) with no next of kin given was witnessed by Alexander Usher. Another record in 1886 has an Alex Usher as signatory. In 1888 Maria O'Hara, wife of Alexander Usher died at age 48. Was the first Alexander father to the second or third Alexander Usher? Assuming Alex E. ____ was an Usher, I believe Alex E. ____ was the child of Alexander Usher (third in the list and signatory to the second's burial). Makes sense but is it so?
.
Of course the best way to find all this out would be to transcribe all the records, unfortunately time did not allow for this in my practicum. Wouldn't it be great if they all got done so little mysteries like these could be sorted out definitively?!

Edit-- did I mention that TWO Eliza McGees married Reilly men?

Monday, 27 August 2012

Your questions answered...

Hi everyone!

I have started a FAQ to answer the questions people posed regarding Reilly Cemetery. I'll be adding to it over time so please keep sending along anything that comes to mind that you want to know about. I don't guarantee an answer but I'll try.


Wednesday, 15 August 2012

What is important to YOU?

Hey folks, long time no see. No I didn't fall off the face of the Earth but I did have a lovely week at the lake. It's back to real life time now and I'm here to ask you to send me your thoughts on what YOU want to read about on this blog. I'm sure I can come up with more stuff, but it would be all my thoughts. Take a look back through the old posts, let me know where I could have added more. Tell me what is important to YOU about Reilly Cemetery. If I've missed a topic just let me know and I'll see if I can pull information together into a post!


Thursday, 2 August 2012

Drum Roll Please....

I PASSED! Yes, the greatly esteemed professors liked my paper and I am now waiting on the finalization of my mark and then I can start the process to get my parchment. And as I promised, I have posted the expanded lists of confirmed and likely burials at Reilly Cemetery so I suggest those interested have another look-- there have been significant additions.

RECAP- the lists of confirmed burials are those whose burial records specify place of burial at Reilly Cemetery or any of its other names. Likely burials are those where place of burial is not listed but the place of residence is Township of Masham and the interred English speaking Protestants (French Protestants had their own cemetery at Duclos). These lists were compiled from the transcriptions that I myself did from microfilm pictures of the original records. These lists are by no means complete as many records were illegible and there are significant gaps in the church records, for example of the 33 people commemorated at Reilly Cemetery I have records for only 13...there could be a LOT more people buried at RC than we will ever know for certain.

I'm going on a week's vacation but when I get back I will have more for your reading pleasure.

Monday, 30 July 2012

So close, so close and yet so far....

You may have noticed lately that I haven't been blogging as much as before. This is not because I have been ignoring the Reilly Cemetery-- far from it. I've been writing up my report. Day after day, map after map, page after ever loving page-- it's slowly coming together. I was such a dedicated student (insert halo here) that I even took my laptop and my materials to the cottage this weekend so I could keep working away. I've sent off two drafts to my respective and respected profs for their comment but being me, I don't wait, I keep on working away. The tome has grown, it could be used as a door stop or a speed bump in a busy parking lot.

Today I was working away, doing the detail stuff that drives everyone crazy like generating tables of contents and labelling figures. Fun wow. Oh yeah, and proof reading...I think I'm going blind and you can bet I will have missed some stuff because after a while you don't see the mistakes. Anyways, it was coming along swimmingly. Tables were generated, labels affixed, spell check and proof reading done, and I printed the sucker (in black and white to save ink). The printed copy turned out great.

But, (have I mentioned I'm a technodolt?) somehow I managed to make the whole file go *POOF* and blowed if I know where the hell it went. I looked, I screeched a little. I said a few naughty words. Then I grabbed my recently printed version, found the last version I had and redid two days work. The tables have been re done, the labels re affixed and the proof re reading can bloody well wait until I can see again (tomorrow). The file has been saved and will be sent  off site and out of this particular blasted computer for safe keeping, and so I don't have to do THAT again.

Live and learn and curse a little every now and then. I mess up therefore I am. Does anyone know how to say that in Latin? It could be my new motto.