Hi Everyone!
I am posting to confirm that we will indeed be unveiling the new obelisk at Reilly Cemetery on May 6, 2017. This monument has three lists on it- those confirmed buried at Reilly, those likely buried at Reilly, and a very short list of people whose place of burial was not given in the records. See my earlier post for details. We are looking into having a medallion attached to the monument that will have a scanable QR code that will lead to a stable online site with more information. That way if there we can add information if it should become available.
I do hope that many of you can come out, we have worked long and hard to make this happen!
Sunday, 26 March 2017
Friday, 3 February 2017
Writing in Stone
I have good news! Through the efforts of the Reilly Cemetery community- family, friends, neighbours and wellwishers- we have finally raised enough money to have a monument erected at Reilly Cemetery! When I started this whole thing off in 2011, I had hoped to get to this point but knew that it very well might not happen, BUT IT DID! I am thrilled. So here's the details...
We are having our usual first Saturday in May clearance, potluck and HOPEFULLY, stone unveiling. If there are any changes to the date or arrangements I will let you know. As usual we will meet at Reilly Cemetery on Shouldice Road outside Rupert, QC. All are welcome, it is always great to see new faces and relatives!
I am posting the new lists that are going on the stone. The new lists are:
1) Confirmed Buried at Reilly Cemetery- sometimes ministers very helpfully said exactly where people were buried, so this list consists of people that the ministers indicated were at what was then Tom Reilly's farm, the Cemetery at Rupert, that sort of thing.
2) Masham Residents Likely Buried at Reilly Cemetery- in this case the place of residence (township of Masham) was given but the actual place of burial was not (this was the case in a great many records). Through the help of others in the community I was able to check my names against their records, a few names came off my older lists, but the remaining names are NOT known to be buried in cemeteries other than Reilly Cemetery
3) Church Records Do Not List Place of Residence or Burial - the last list is for those whose records are in those of the local diocese/parish but whose place of residence or burial is NOT indicated. There are a number of local names on this list such as Fairbairn and Ardies.
The people whose names are on my lists are those for whom I have records written by the clergymen who buried them (there were no clergy women presiding over funerals at the time). Some records were completely illegible. I have chosen to NOT guess at names so, for example, Jane S. might well be a Smith or a Shouldice or a Smiders. It was, and remains, commonplace for women to be buried under their birth name. This having been said, a number of records do NOT give the woman's maiden name but instead may list her under her husband's name, for example Jane Doe, wife of John Doe, or Mrs John Doe. I have listed the woman as the record was written, I could guess at some of the maiden names but I might well be wrong. When in doubt I point you to the records I have previously posted, you can look for yourself.
If you cannot find your relative's name on my lists, there are a number of resources that you can access through the Library and Archives Canada site (eg census records, marriage records, parish records, military records, ship lists etc etc) but not all are online and you may find a visit to LAC useful- be warned, it's addictive. Another good resource is the BANQ (Bibliotheques et Archives Nationale du Quebec). If you are looking specifically at the Gatineau Valley, consult with the Gatineau Valley Historical Society, they are very helpful. Happy Hunting!
I want to thank everyone who has helped me, since 2011, in what was originally an undergraduate project. The Reilly Cemetery Project has gone far better than I dared to hope, people have been so very kind, and I am grateful. I have made some good friends too, and extended my family. You know who you are, thank you!
We are having our usual first Saturday in May clearance, potluck and HOPEFULLY, stone unveiling. If there are any changes to the date or arrangements I will let you know. As usual we will meet at Reilly Cemetery on Shouldice Road outside Rupert, QC. All are welcome, it is always great to see new faces and relatives!
I am posting the new lists that are going on the stone. The new lists are:
1) Confirmed Buried at Reilly Cemetery- sometimes ministers very helpfully said exactly where people were buried, so this list consists of people that the ministers indicated were at what was then Tom Reilly's farm, the Cemetery at Rupert, that sort of thing.
2) Masham Residents Likely Buried at Reilly Cemetery- in this case the place of residence (township of Masham) was given but the actual place of burial was not (this was the case in a great many records). Through the help of others in the community I was able to check my names against their records, a few names came off my older lists, but the remaining names are NOT known to be buried in cemeteries other than Reilly Cemetery
3) Church Records Do Not List Place of Residence or Burial - the last list is for those whose records are in those of the local diocese/parish but whose place of residence or burial is NOT indicated. There are a number of local names on this list such as Fairbairn and Ardies.
The people whose names are on my lists are those for whom I have records written by the clergymen who buried them (there were no clergy women presiding over funerals at the time). Some records were completely illegible. I have chosen to NOT guess at names so, for example, Jane S. might well be a Smith or a Shouldice or a Smiders. It was, and remains, commonplace for women to be buried under their birth name. This having been said, a number of records do NOT give the woman's maiden name but instead may list her under her husband's name, for example Jane Doe, wife of John Doe, or Mrs John Doe. I have listed the woman as the record was written, I could guess at some of the maiden names but I might well be wrong. When in doubt I point you to the records I have previously posted, you can look for yourself.
If you cannot find your relative's name on my lists, there are a number of resources that you can access through the Library and Archives Canada site (eg census records, marriage records, parish records, military records, ship lists etc etc) but not all are online and you may find a visit to LAC useful- be warned, it's addictive. Another good resource is the BANQ (Bibliotheques et Archives Nationale du Quebec). If you are looking specifically at the Gatineau Valley, consult with the Gatineau Valley Historical Society, they are very helpful. Happy Hunting!
I want to thank everyone who has helped me, since 2011, in what was originally an undergraduate project. The Reilly Cemetery Project has gone far better than I dared to hope, people have been so very kind, and I am grateful. I have made some good friends too, and extended my family. You know who you are, thank you!
Wednesday, 6 May 2015
Remembering the Dead: a project and a call for support
Hello Everyone!
Yes, it has been a while but I do have some updates for you. First, with the help of my faithful sidekick, LB, the Anglican records have been located and a further 37 names will be added to the lists of those buried at Reilly Cemetery. That brings the total to 182 confirmed and likely burials at Reilly Cemetery. I will post the additions soon, promise.
On the first Saturday of May, as usual, we had our annual clearance day at Reilly Cemetery. The work is less onerous these days which leaves lots of time for catching up with old friends and for making new ones. Needed repairs were made to the fence, and gate posts and the original gate was rehung- it will need replaced soon as it is rusted out in a number of sections. We had a lovely potluck meal and afterwards we discussed a project that is near and dear to many of our hearts.
We want to put up a monument recording the names of the dead. A spot has been selected and approved as solid (bedrock) and non-invasive. Above there is a picture of an obelisk much like we would like to erect. Why an obelisk? Well, for starters there are several obelisks already at Reilly Cemetery so this one would fit right in and not look too too modern. Second, with four equal sides there is lots of room for lots of names, though the names would have to be teeny to get them all in there. It was recommended that we look at going with black granite and laser etching to ensure that the teeny names are clear, crisp and readable. The bill for this is likely to be over 6K all in: that's the stone, the base, the etching, delivery and erection. We have almost half now.
If you would like to contribute, contact me at the email address for this blog and I will send you the contact information for those taking donations. Donors to this project will be sent a tax receipt as this project now has charitable status.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have this funded, ordered and erected in time for next year's clearance day?
Sunday, 15 June 2014
2014 Update
Hello All,
I did not fall off the face of the planet but I have been pretty darned busy lately-- my apologies. We had our third annual cleanup day at Reilly Cemetery in early May-- it was nice to see some familiar faces and to make some new connections! We discussed the timing of cleanup days and decided to stay with an annual cleanup/get together/ potluck format in early May. I have since been contacted by new readers who wish to participate-- this is great, the more the merrier.
At the potluck we also discussed the idea of erecting an obelisk with the names of all those known or likely to be buried at Reilly Cemetery. I took the liberty of approaching a monument maker to get an idea of what kind of monument might suit our needs best and, of course, to get an idea of the costs involved. A black granite obelisk with four equal sides would provide sufficient space to record up to 160 names done in a half inch high font-- small yes, but to go bigger would mean a seriously more expensive piece of stone. Black works better than pink with the smaller letters (easier to read). Black would also differentiate the new obelisk from the existing ones while at the same time being of a style compatible with those monuments already in place (my professors would love me for this solution!).
We have started fund raising for this project, which is estimated to cost about $4500 dollars all in, and we have had a nice bit come in to date. However, we still have a ways to go so if you wish to help out please contact me at reillycemeteryproject@gmail.com . I will put you give you the details there of where to send donations.
PS-- last month the Gatineau Valley Historical Society presented me with an award for my efforts at Reilly Cemetery. I am grateful and honoured but I also feel that this award belongs to everyone who has pitched in, gotten dirty, hot and sweaty and who contributed stories, expertise and time to make this project a success. You know who you are, thank you.
I did not fall off the face of the planet but I have been pretty darned busy lately-- my apologies. We had our third annual cleanup day at Reilly Cemetery in early May-- it was nice to see some familiar faces and to make some new connections! We discussed the timing of cleanup days and decided to stay with an annual cleanup/get together/ potluck format in early May. I have since been contacted by new readers who wish to participate-- this is great, the more the merrier.
At the potluck we also discussed the idea of erecting an obelisk with the names of all those known or likely to be buried at Reilly Cemetery. I took the liberty of approaching a monument maker to get an idea of what kind of monument might suit our needs best and, of course, to get an idea of the costs involved. A black granite obelisk with four equal sides would provide sufficient space to record up to 160 names done in a half inch high font-- small yes, but to go bigger would mean a seriously more expensive piece of stone. Black works better than pink with the smaller letters (easier to read). Black would also differentiate the new obelisk from the existing ones while at the same time being of a style compatible with those monuments already in place (my professors would love me for this solution!).
We have started fund raising for this project, which is estimated to cost about $4500 dollars all in, and we have had a nice bit come in to date. However, we still have a ways to go so if you wish to help out please contact me at reillycemeteryproject@gmail.com . I will put you give you the details there of where to send donations.
PS-- last month the Gatineau Valley Historical Society presented me with an award for my efforts at Reilly Cemetery. I am grateful and honoured but I also feel that this award belongs to everyone who has pitched in, gotten dirty, hot and sweaty and who contributed stories, expertise and time to make this project a success. You know who you are, thank you.
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Mr Slinky
I finally got up my nerve and tackled the Anglican records left by the minister after John Seaman. I am still not entirely sure what this man's name was as his handwriting most closely resembles a stretched out slinky. I have gathered information from this remarkable script for 11 more burials. I can almost forgive Reverend Slinky because, while he often omits where people are from and his handwriting is wretched, he gives places of burial and often cause of death. So of these 11 new burials between 1880 and 1881 I'm pretty sure none of them are at Reilly Cemetery. Three burials are listed as at the common burying ground/ common graveyard of ----- village. No capitals, two words. I have no idea where these people are but they were buried by an Anglican minister and at least two of them died of diptheria. The third falls into the same time period but does not specify cause of death. This fellow also never calls Holy Trinity, Lascelles that name, he calls it the Church at Masham. I'm fairly certain of this as for the five records he has left of people buried at the Church at Masham, there are 2 headstones at Holy Trinity Lascelles for commemorating 4 of 'em. That or there's a mysterious anglican church at Masham of which we have never heard. Now, just to be sure I'm leaving no stone unturned, it's fair to mention that normally I would take the mention of burial at Masham as at Reilly cemetery-- in the case of this minister there is far more proof that people are not at Reilly Cemetery --the Colbert family (3 of the 5 diptheria cases I mentioned above) has 12 family members commemorated at Lascelles. Not once does this minister ever refer to Holy Trinity, Lascelles, which is part of the diocese of which he was priest-- I think he just called it the church at Masham. UNLESS, it occurs to me, he is burying people at Reilly Cemetery and the Neeley and Colbert families got it wrong...I can see one being in error as this has happened before, but two? Considerably less likely.
Ahh the joys of archival research...
Ahh the joys of archival research...
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
Annual Clearance Day in Review or How I Have Come to Love the Sound of Chainsaws...
Hey everyone!
The Annual Clearance Day on Saturday was quite a success! We had about 20 people show up to help clear brush, haul off bits of trees, clean the entrance area and to generally pick up, tidy and sort. Everyone was busy enough to make it worth their while but we all found time to chat at one point or another. As the photos below demonstrate, tractors are a wonderful thing. A great many trees were felled and cleared away.
Three hours of physical labour later the cemetery was cleared of dead and dying trees, the cedars and pines were cut back substantially and the view all around improved. Everyone who showed up deserved the lunch that followed and the sincere thanks of all descendents of Reilly Cemetery. Sorry, I was too busy eating (the beer tasted amazing too) and listening to the stories-- so much so I forgot to take pics. We decided to make this an annual event and set a date for the first Saturday in May next year so mark that in your calenders! If there isn't enough work we can turn it into a picnic!
The Annual Clearance Day on Saturday was quite a success! We had about 20 people show up to help clear brush, haul off bits of trees, clean the entrance area and to generally pick up, tidy and sort. Everyone was busy enough to make it worth their while but we all found time to chat at one point or another. As the photos below demonstrate, tractors are a wonderful thing. A great many trees were felled and cleared away.
The Chain Gang
How much stuff can you get in the back of a tractor?
Lots apparently.
Here we can now see out front to the south east.
This is the new and improved view to the north.
Three hours of physical labour later the cemetery was cleared of dead and dying trees, the cedars and pines were cut back substantially and the view all around improved. Everyone who showed up deserved the lunch that followed and the sincere thanks of all descendents of Reilly Cemetery. Sorry, I was too busy eating (the beer tasted amazing too) and listening to the stories-- so much so I forgot to take pics. We decided to make this an annual event and set a date for the first Saturday in May next year so mark that in your calenders! If there isn't enough work we can turn it into a picnic!
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
Anglican Records, Holy Trinity, Lascelles
Well actually I'm going to put up the burial records that the minister for the wider area including Eardly, Low, Wakefield and Lascelles. I don't know the area particularly well so I am including them all. This list is subject to change and to revision when I have more time to take better notes. So here it is, warts and all-- there will be errors so don't take these as gospel. I stopped at 1876 because I ran out of time today. I'll get to the others later if I can. A note here, the minister, John Seaman, was not overfond of providing a great deal of information-- he usually says where someone is from (and I see I missed this in some of my notes) but only very rarely says where someone is buried. IF I follow the reasoning I did with my paper then we have a whole bunch of likely burials at Reilly Cemetery-- anyone who has been to Holy Trinity has noticed the lack of headstones there-- perhaps people were more commonly buried elsewhere.
Name
|
Wife of/Notes
|
Origin/Twsp of
|
Died
|
Place of burial
|
James Shouldice
|
Wakefield
|
14 ??1864
|
||
Alexander Higgins
|
Low
|
17 Aug 1864
|
||
William Smiders
|
Masham
|
15 Sept 1864
|
||
Luke Brown
|
Wakefield
|
24 Nov 1864
|
||
Sarah Michel
|
John Mahon, Reilly witnesses
|
Masham
|
17 Dec 1864
|
|
Hugh Bell Brown
|
Eardly
|
13 Dec 1864
|
||
Catheren Martin
|
Henry Wills
|
Wakefield
|
6 July 1865
|
|
William Collons
|
Wakefield
|
1 Sept 1865
|
||
Elizabeth Stewert
|
Denholm
|
5 Aug 1866
|
||
Elizabeth Kentrick??
|
Alwin
|
8 Mar 1866
|
||
Alade Farburn
|
William Offertson
|
Wakefield
|
19 July 1867
|
Wakefield
|
Edward Brown
|
Masham
|
26 Dec 1867
|
Wakefield
|
|
Charlot Elizabeth Seaman
|
Minister’s daughter
|
18 Aug 1868
|
||
Sarah Jane McKitrick
|
19 Aug 1868
|
|||
Judith Irwin ??
|
Robert Shouldice
|
Masham
|
10 April 1868?
|
|
Helenar Mullin
|
Wakefield
|
2? June 1869
|
||
Ann Jane ____
|
Alexander Thomas ______
|
|||
Mary Jane Denzell??
|
James Jonston
|
Masham
|
12 ??? 1870
|
|
John Thompson
|
Shouldice & Graham signed
|
Masham
|
10 May 1870
|
|
Robert Wiggans
|
1 April 1871
|
Holy Trinity
|
||
Mary Seaman
|
Wakefield
|
16 May 1871
|
||
Thomas Brown
|
Masham
|
4 June 1871
|
||
Ellen (Eileen?) Adol??
|
James Mullen
|
Wakefield
|
4 Aug 1871
|
|
William Johnston
|
Portland
|
25 Jan 1871
|
||
John James Samuel
|
Portland
|
18 April 1871
|
||
Phaby Samuel
|
Portland
|
26 May 1871
|
||
Elizabeth Stinke??
|
Thomas Mullen
|
Masham
|
4 Jan 1872
|
|
Margret Simpson Armstrong
|
Robert Armstrong
|
Wakefield
|
24 Mar 1872
|
|
Margaret Armstrong
|
d/o above
|
Wakefield
|
30 Mar 1872
|
|
Marjory Murdoch
|
Low
|
5 April 1872
|
||
William Murdoch
|
See above, sibling
|
Low
|
8 April 1872
|
|
John Bagnols???
|
Lascelles
|
24 May 1872
|
||
Isabella Higgins
|
Masham
|
20 Sept 1872
|
||
Samuel Higgins
|
Masham
|
12 Oct 1872
|
Holy Trinity
|
|
Elizabeth Wil__
|
(Mahon witness)
|
Masham
|
20 Oct 1872
|
|
Wm Thomas Gabriel ??
|
19 April 1873
|
Holy Trinity
|
||
Samuel Deagall???
|
Masham
|
13 July 1873
|
||
Frances Cook
|
Robert Nesbit, Mahon & Mitchel witnesses
|
Masham
|
29 Oct 1873
|
|
James Gordon Kennedy
|
Masham
|
23 April 1874
|
||
Mrs Kennedy
|
Adam Kennedy, mother of above
|
Masham
|
23 April 1874
|
|
Sarah Elizabeth Brown
|
Thomas _____
|
Hawke??
|
25 May 1874
|
|
Andrew Matchet Murdoch
|
(not local)
|
9 Oct 1874
|
||
Wm Gordon Fraser??
|
Wakefield
|
11 Jan 1875
|
||
Elizabeth Wilkes
|
Wm Craige, O’Hara signature
|
Masham
|
17 Mar 1875
|
|
Jane Mahon
|
John Riley (three sons signatures)
|
Masham/Irland
|
17 April 1875
|
|
Thomas Brown
|
Eardly
|
19 Jan 1876
|
||
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