Index to Vital
Statistics from New Brunswick Newspapers - Dan Johnson
The teacher rolled up the map, and
there
listed on the blackboard under the map were five words, - “information,
easier, hunt, newspapers, index”. From this I knew what the
assignment
would be -we were to look up the words in the dictionary, write
out
their meanings and then we were to use these words correctly in a
sentence.
My sentence today could read, “The hunt for information has been
made
easier with an Index to Vital Statistics from New Brunswick Newspapers.”
In 1982, Daniel F. Johnson chaired the Vital Statistics committee of
the
New Brunswick Genealogical Society. The objective of the committee was
to
extract genealogical items from the New Brunswick newspapers that had
been
microfilmed and publish the results. After the committee disbanded, Dan
continued
the project privately. Since that time, 102 volumes have been printed
covering
the period 1784 to 1895 and cross referenced by names.
In 2004, Dan compiled on CD a full name index to the first 100 volumes
of
‘Vital Statistics from New Brunswick Newspapers’. A copy has
been
placed on the database computers at the Saint John Free Public Library
and
at the St. Croix Public Library in St. Stephen.
So now instead of thumbing through the one hundred volumes on the shelf
to
locate a name, the Index will quickly give the reference number, volume
and
the year the newspaper was published.
While searching for Cusack, I found in the September
2,
1893 edition of the Globe: Died Sept 1st, of congestion of the brain,
William
Cusack, a native of Tipperary, Ireland, age 77, resident of St. John
for
the last 59 years. Funeral from the Cathedral, 8 o’clock Sunday morn.
3rd
inst.
The Daily Telegraph of February 10, 1894: President Cleveland has
appointed
Wm. C. Cusick postmaster of Newburyport, Mass. Mr. Cusick was born in
Hardingville,
St. John in 1843 but his parents moved to the States many years ago.
A sample of some other informative entries:
New Brunswick Courier of September 21, 1844: Died at
Grand
Lake, 10th inst., Walter Provan, native of Glagow, Scotland, age 59,
left
wife, ten children, inhabitant of this province since 1820.
The Daily Telegraph March 1, 1881: Died Portland 27th ult., LeBaron N.
Secord,
twin son of Captain Ambrose Secord and Emma Secord, age 8 months.
New Brunswick Courier March 11, 1843: On Tuesday last, a dwelling house
at
Belleisle owned by the widow of Charles Hughson (who was unfortunately
drowned
last year) and J. Pickle was consumed by fire. [Note to see original
newspaper
for more information]
New Brunswick Courier October 26, 1850: Died 10th inst., of Nervous
Fever,
while on a visit to her relatives at Granville, N. S., Mrs. Phebe J.
Knowles,
age 30, wife of Edward Knowles, merchant of St. John and youngest
daughter
of Samuel Chesley, Esq. of former place.
City Gazette, May 20, 1824: Died St. Martins, Friday last, Reuben Vail,
shipwright,
age 52, left large family.
New Brunswick Courier, July 27, 1827: Died Saturday last, age 15, Miss
Rebecca
Golding. Death occasioned by falling stone from Heights in Narrows
above
Falls.
The Daily Telegraph of October 26, 1877: Mrs. B. Moore of Oak Bay and
family
of seven left for Eureka, California on 22nd. Inst. Walter R. Gilley,
son
of post master of Oak Bay and two sons of Warren Powers left the same
morning
for British Columbia.
On the shelves of several research institutions you will find volumes
of
‘Vital Statistics from New Brunswick Newspapers’ by Daniel F.
Johnson.
The genealogical community was saddened by the sudden death of Dan on
February
22, 2005. His memory will live on through his many publications that
give
great assistance to the family researcher.
****
Query 1285
Matthews: Archibald Matthews born 1787 and
Alexander
Matthews born circa 1808 were in the area of Chatham New Brunswick
during
the census of 1851. Both came from Elmsdale / Malpeque, Prince
Edward
Island. What is the relationship between these two men?
RAY
E-mail matthfam@yahoo.ca
Query 1286
Hendrickson: I am trying to find information
regarding
the Hendrickson families who may have come to New Brunswick in 1783. As
far
as I know their names were Thomas, Hendrick, Stephen and Daniel.
Looking
to see if there might be a Uriah there as well or the possible birth of
other
Hendricksons during their stay. Any information would be
appreciated.
DESIREE HENDRICKSON
90 Sequoia Dr.
Coram, NY
11727, USA
E-mail thebats@optonline.net
Query 1287
Kavanghs - Cavanaughs: I would like to get
copies
of pictures of 19th century of Brussells Street in Saint John and of
Kavanaghs
from New Brunswick. Also looking for any information on Kavanghs /
Cavanaughs
from Saint John.
CHRIS KILLAN
1189 Post Road,
Sussex Corner, N.B.
Canada, E4E 2X7
E-mail ctk58@nb.sympatico.ca
Query 1288
Shannon - Cormier: Michael Shannon, the
son
of Patrick Shannon, was born in 1796 in Dunbrody, Wexford County,
Ireland,
married Marie Cormier in Jacquet River, New Brunswick. He was
responsible
for building St. Gabrielle's Catholic Church in Jacquet River.
Any
information would be appreciated.
MARSHA HOGAN
90 Woodbury Ave.
Hyannis, MA
02601, USA
E-mail mlh180@aol.com
Query 1289
Long - Parlee: Who were the parents of
William
Long, born 20 Nov. 1850? He was of Kings County when he married
Mary
Jane Parlee on 07 Jul. 1875. William's siblings were Rachel,
Thomas,
Robert, Calvin, Henry, Mary Jane, David, Alexander, John, Margaret,
Mary
Ann, Luther, Joseph and Wickcliffe. Also looking for vital
statistics
on the spouses and descendants. KELLY ELLS
145 Zack Road, Lutes Mountain
NB, Canada, E1G 2V1
E-mail bkells@rogers.com
