The following are some of my research areas.  While waiting for the 1931 census to be indexed by name, here are some of my notes to help when I have time to do some research. Noting the details that I find about a person and their family will help in writing about them. Owen Sound Grey North (district 109) is comprised of  12 sub-districts for Owen Sound  (36 to 47). Sub-districts 36 to 38 are the Bay Ward, Sub-districts 39 to 42 are West Ward and Sub-districts 43 to 47 are River Ward. Each sub-district comprises a number of pages.  Markham Township York North (district 1 ..read more

1931 Canadian Census On June 1, 2023, the 1931 Census was released with digital images only. Ninety-two years ago, enumerators began to visit their assigned area. They were given a list of instructions on how to interpret the questions that they were to ask each family.      Not long after the release, Library & Archives Canada ran into difficulties. Needless to say, genealogists were anxious to search for their families. Many, like me, have parents who were recorded during that time. Both of my parents were listed on the 1921 census. In 1931, both were living in the s ..read more

While I haven't been writing a lot on this blog, it doesn't mean I haven't been writing family profiles. Using some of the articles that I posted on this blog, I am expanding them. My aim is to create small books. The one about my mother is 22 pages long  and hardcover and it includes photos, charts and small stories about different topics: early years, life on the island, married life, things she taught me, etc.  Right now, I am working on my father's book. Also in progress are my father's ancestors' book. I am using Canva and templates purchased through the Family Writing Studio ..read more

It is interesting that you can look at a document many times and not realize you missed some information or did not realize some information was missing.  In the Post  "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Uncertainty," I wrote about the uncertainty of when my great-grandfather George Iles came to Canada from England. Was it 1903 or 1904. He was not on the passenger list with the rest of the family. I have yet to find a list with him on. This past week I realized that several of my grandfather's siblings were not on the passenger list with him.  George and Emily (nee Pugh) had eight chil ..read more

My great grandfather, George Iles, was not on the ship's passenger list for the Ottawa, when his wife and children came to Canada. William was already married but he was there with his wife and baby. They left Liverpool, England, on the 27 April 1905 and arrived in Montreal,  Quebec, on the 7 of May 1905. So when did Great grandpa George come to Canada? I am uncertain of the exact date. I never found a passenger list entry for him, neither the one for his departure from England or for his arrival in Canada had his name. I have made several searches of databases using a variety of sp ..read more

As I was waking up this morning, I thought this is International Museum Day what I could I post about a museum that I had visited in another country. I thought of several that I had visited years ago now, but when I went to find photographs I couldn't find them. The ones that I know I like the best are those that focus on local history and have exhibits that portray a room or a scene related to their theme whether in miniature or full scale with artifacts. To me they better tell the story.  I did find some from a trip in 2001. In September 2001, I took a trip with the Markham Berczy Sett ..read more

Seventy-five years ago during World War II, Canadian soldiers were among those who helped with the liberation of the Netherlands from the hands of the Nazis. My father was one of those soldiers. He was part of the Perth Regiment based out of Stratford, Ontario. The Perth Regiment arrived at Nijmegen, Holland, on the 28 March 1945 having been in Italy from November 1943 until February 1945. They sailed from Leghorn, [Livorno] Italy, on 22 February 1945, heading to Marseilles, France. From there they travelled through France and Belgium before arriving in Nijmegen. The Battle of the Neder R ..read more

Some of the websites talked about at the talk for the Meaford Public Library on October 23rd 2019.  Internet Genealogy Research: Tools and Tips -- not all in the order presented Thomas MacEntee's        http://hackgenealogy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/HANDOUT-Using-and-Managing-a-Genealogy-Research-Log.pdf  Bruce Grey Branch Ontario Ancestors (Ontario Genealogical Society) https://brucegrey.ogs.on.ca/ Kenneth Marks's article on Letters that Get Confused       http://www.theancestorhunt.com/blog/the-one-absolute-best-way-to-find-more-ancestor-articles-in-historic-newspapers-online#.Vx9lCP ..read more

Moon landing and walk - Remembering 50 years ago today - July 20 / July 21, 1969. It is interesting to see and read the remembrances that are appearing on television and on social media. It is hard to believe that happened 50 years ago. My parents watched on television, but I wasn't home. I wasn't even in the same province.  I wrote this 10 years ago. The moon landing was at 0256 GMT July 21 -4 = making it 10:56 July 20 in Ontario and Quebec. I was in Trois-Pistoles Quebec, a small community on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River attending French Summer School of the University of ..read more

Back in 2009, I wrote about the Iles family reunions. Check the link for some photos. We had our last one 24 years ago, in 1995 in Kolapore, Town of the Blue Mountains, Grey County, Ontario, Canada. My mother passed away the following January. The ones we had in the past were for the descendants of my great-grandfather George Iles. Well it is about time we had another one. This time it is planned for the descendants of my grandparents, William George Iles and Lily Dudley. Except for an aunt by marriage, all the children and their spouses are deceased. I am now part of the senior generation (a ..read more