Summer rain needn't dampen genealogist's fun in New Brunswick
The rain on July 15, St. Swithin's Day, upset Dad and Gramp, who feared the legend would prove true of rain for 40 days, which would ruin the haying.
Dad was thinking positively and went to Smith's Hardware in Hampton to get cutter blades for the mowing machine. This suited us just fine, as Cliff and I each had a crisp dollar bill that Gramp had paid us for thinning turnips.
I was anticipating spending my money on handlebar grips while Cliff wanted a new bell for his bike.
Mum took us into Robb's Drugstore to get ice cream, then we sat in the car and watched the traffic pass. Since Main Street was part of the highway from Saint John to Moncton, we kept watching for cars with out-of-province license plates. We were very curious when a car with Massachusetts plates parked in front of us. Dad wondered aloud why it stopped.
Today, when we see out-of-province cars in Hampton, they may be heading for the Tourist Bureau in the old Railway Station, where many pictures of the St. Martins Train adorn the walls. Or maybe visitors will stroll across the courthouse lawn to take a closer look at the sculpture in honour of Hampton's John Peters Humphrey, author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Historians and genealogists may be going to the Kings County Museum for research or to see the exhibition on home children and to tour the old jail with its hundreds of artifacts.
http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/kingscm/
http://humphreyhampton.org/projects.php
People stop in Sussex to look at the many murals painted around town, while others want to step back in time at the Agriculture Museum. Those with an interest in military history will want to visit the 8th Hussars Museum.
http://www.sussexmurals.com/
http://www.agriculturalmuseumofnb.com/
If you have an interest in the arts, historic Anthony Flower House, home of the 19th-century Cambridge-Narrows artist and his family, is a rare example of early 19th-century rural architecture.
http://www.qchsm.com/FlowerHouse.html
To learn more about the restoration and the art work of Anthony Flower, visit the project virtual exhibition at http://www.qchsm.com/FlowerHousePage.html
Tilley House in Gagetown is a museum dedicated to Queens County history. Collections include Loyalist and Victorian furniture, an early doctor's office, the 1818 Tilley birth room, and distinctive collections of art, Aboriginal artifacts, farm implements, military memorabilia and glassware and ceramics. http://www.qchsm.com/
In Fredericton, the Provincial Archives is a great resource or, if you are interested in how your ancestors were educated, visit the School Days Museum in the Justice Building Annex.
http://archives.gnb.ca/Archives/Default.aspx?culture=en-CA
http://museum.nbta.ca/
Kings Landing Historical Settlement on the St. John River above Fredericton depicts the 100-year transformation of a young colony into a vibrant nation. There are more than 70 historic buildings, as well as artifacts, furniture, tools and equipment. http://www.kingslanding.nb.ca/
In the old gaol in St. Andrews, the Charlotte County Archives has a rich and varied collection reflecting the diversity, experience and achievement of Charlotte County people.
http://www.ccarchives.ca/
The Cumberland County Genealogical Society in Nova Scotia has issued an invitation to anyone who lives, has lived or has roots in Cumberland County to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Aug. 14-16. Details at http://www.cumberland250.ednet.ns.ca/news.htm
The Saint John Branch of the New Brunswick Genealogical Society is hosting a Genealogical Fair Sept. 12 at St. Joachim's church hall. It will be of interest to everyone from beginners to experienced researchers. Details at http://nbgssj.ca
Even if the St. Swithins legend of 40 days of rain comes true, you can keep dry exploring the genealogical websites and history museums.
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<>Query 1671
Zink-Steeves: I descend from Mary Margaret Steeves, born May 1894. She had two brothers: George H. (born November 1891) and James H. (born 1896). She also had a sister, Christine, (born November 1890). Mary married William Zink. I am trying to find her parents. Based on oral family histories, I think they are Florence and James H. (born March 1860), but am not having much luck. I believe the children went on to Massachusetts.<>John Rheault
Email: jrca01@gmail.com<>
Query 1672
Shaw - Glassville United Pentecostal Church: James Nelson Shaw (1885-1966) built or helped build the Glassville United Pentecostal Church in the mid-'40s. Is the church still standing? Information sought for a biographical book on James.
Email: jdlarose@shaw.ca<>
Query 1673
Bloomfield: Loyalist David Bloomfield died in 1800 and left an estate farm to his second wife, Patience, and his children. Were they buried in the Loyalist Cemetery in Fredericton?
C. Connelly,
Email nomess.stress@gmail.com<>
Query 1674
Bryson: James Bryson, listed in the 1851 census in Lincoln, Sunbury, notes his entry date to New Brunswick as July 1819. Did he come with the Royal West India Rangers or another military unit? If so, perhaps there is information about him in military records. He petitioned for land in 1823, and granted in June 1829. Any leads would be appreciated.
Patrick Doherty
Email pddqa@yahoo.com<>
Query 1675
McLaughlin-Rolston: I am searching for information on John James McLaughlin, born 1810 in Ireland, died 1908 in Hastings, Albert Co., N.B. He was married to Isabelle Rolston, born 1811, died 1844. Their children were Matilda, Elizabeth, Jonathan J., Isabella and William.<>
Contact Kitt by Email: kitt.ravenstar@gmail.com<>
Query 1676
Gilderson-Ryan: Michael Gilderson married Mary Ryan Nov. 26, 1841, in St. Stephen. Their children were Anna, George, Daniel, John, Margaret and Michael. They lived in Milltown. Anyone searching this family?
Marita Guilderson
Email: rodmarita@alltel.net<>
Query 1677
Lee-Ash-Whitlock: Daniel Lee, born Worcester, England, married Martha Ash, 1782, in Lee Settlement. Who were her parents? Also seeking information on Hannah Whitlock Swan, daughter of Priscilla and Solomon Whitlock, who spent at least the years 1787-1830 in N.B.
Mary-Lee Swan Gilliland
Email: maryleegilliland@yahoo.com
Ruby M. Cusack is a genealogy buff living in New Brunswick, Canada. Send your New Brunswick genealogical queries to her at: rmcusack@nbnet.nb.ca. Please put "Query" followed by the surnames in your query as the subject. For more information on submitting queries, visit http://www.rubycusack.com/Query-Instructions.html
Ruby contributes a "Family History" column to the Telegraph-Journal on the third Saturday of the month.
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