A new question asked by the 1931 Census of Canada was “Has this family a radio?” I love this question, it’s so Harold Innis. The answer, whether “Yes” or “No,” was recorded under Column 10, as one of 6 questions…
Continue reading →CS Beauty Queen Contestant As I’ve said before, newspapers are not just for obituaries. For example, perhaps your aunt was a runner-up in the 1952 Civil Service Beauty Queen Contest? You may find a notice in an Ottawa newspaper, with…
Continue reading →If ever you asked him what position he had played for the Ottawa U Gee-Gees, my father would invariably reply, with his characteristic diffidence and self-deprecating sense of humour, “What position did I play? Benchwarmer!” Well, whatever his position,…
Continue reading →‘Shocking Murder’ It was on Good Friday, 9 April 1841, that John Kelly killed his brother-in-law Michael Hourigan. According to an account published in the Bathurst Courier, the two men had spent the afternoon drinking at Henry Smith’s brewery, where they had been overheard…
Continue reading →Thomas Benton Also a Lumberman Ancestor. Born at Clonganhue, Cappawhite, Co. Tipperary in 1826, Thomas Benton was the son of Thomas Benton Sr., a tailor, and Catherine (‘Kitty’) Dwyer. Thomas Benton emigrated to North America (probably first to the United States) in…
Continue reading →Bridget Loreto Killeen Bridget Loreto Killeen was born at March township, Carleton Co., Ontario on 9 June 1861, the daughter of Patrick Killeen (1820-1890; also born at March) and Bridget Galligan (1835-1861; originally from the townland of Loughaconnick, parish of…
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