Saturday, May 18, 2024

 Wow, I can't believe it is over a decade since I first thought I would try my hand at blogging. Not too successful I would say 😁

I have been practising writing short stories about various ancestors. I read today on https://discovergenealogy.blogspot.com/2024/05/leaving-past-to-future-5-publishing.html that bogging might be a great place to put short stories. So here I am. . . again!

George Stanley Blake marries Ida Beatrice Pixley - 1885

Although we do not know how George and Ida met, we can speculate that they may have met at a church function or through friends. The two main villages, Sydenham and Harrowsmith, in their respective Loughborough and Portland Townships were only 6km (~3.7 miles) distance apart, less than an hour by horse or 1¼ hour walk. Another theory is perhaps they met at a party. The strict courtship rules of Victorian Canada were lessening in 1880s in Canada making, so it possible as a young woman, Ida, may have attended local parties without her parents. In an undated newspaper clipping found in the Sydenham Women's Institute, "The Loughborough Collection," we learn:

“Surprise Party at Sydenham

On Friday last between thirty and forty couples assembled at Lawn Terrace, the farm residence of George Blake, one of our esteemed young bachelors, for the purpose of spending a pleasant time. On leaving the village, the boys gave vent to their feelings by displaying their vocal talents, which Prof. Davy has of late been trying to cultivate. About eight o'clock, dancing commenced and was kept up with very little intermission during the evening. Those not employed in tripping the light fantastic enjoyed in other amusements.

At midnight a sumptuous repast was served, to which the party did ample justice. The cravings of the inner man being satisfied the program was resumed and continued until early dawn, when the young folks departed for their respective homes, hoping that it would not be the last merry-making together. Hanley's Orchestra furnished the music.”

Although the newspaper clipping was undated, we can assume the party happened between 1881 when George bought the property and 1885 when he married Ida. 

We do know that the Blake and Pixley families were probably well-known to each other, maybe even close family friends. Both families had lived in the area, since at least 1819 when they were enumerated in the Census of Loughborough/Portland Townships. 

The directories of the area in 1885, do not indicate any photographers in villages of Harrowsmith or Sydenham. Consequently, the wedding photo of the couple was most likely taken at a photography studio in Kingston, the nearest city at 25km from Sydenham village in Loughborough. In a posed wedding photo, we see a slight built man with dark hair, parted on the left side, with a slightly receding hairline. He is sporting a large mustache, which was common to the era. His eyes are close set and appear to be brown. George was wearing a dark-coloured three-piece Sack (or business) suit, which appears to be made from wool. The notched collar on the narrow lapel of the four-button jacket is detailed with piping. With the top cloth-covered button engaged, his shirt is almost hidden. We only see the cloth-covered button vest at his waist. In keeping with era, it is most likely, George is wearing a loose shirt with detached collars and cuffs.  His trousers would have been held up by suspenders because belt loops did not become common until the 1920s. Although difficult to determine, it appears he is wearing a knotted tie. Finally, George is wearing standard lace-up ankle boots, which were common men’s footwear for decades. George’s suit was practical and probably would have served him many years. 



Ida appears to also have dark hair done in a updo, sporting wavy bangs. She has a rather squarish face with nicely shaped lips and a shapely full figure. Ida’s wedding outfit was typical of the 1880s with its bustle and cinched waist. It appears to be two pieces made with a heavier fabric with its ability to hold the pleats. The bodice appears to be a cuirass due to its tight, armour-like fit.  The Dictionary of Fashion History (2010) defines a cuirass bodice as: “a sheath-like bodice that fit tightly over the hips producing a long-line dress silhouette.” The bodice would have been well-boned to hold it shape without wrinkles or creases. The bodice sleeves were tight with cuffs, matched by throat scarf. The skirt, which featured a low bustle was embellished with front draping and side and bottom pleats. The 1880s are reflected in the length of the dress, a few inches off the floor unlike dresses in the previous decade that had swept the floor. This overall style of dress allowed the women more freedom of movement than the fashions of the previous decades. Note fabric was a darker colour, which was more functional as it wouldn’t need to be washed as often.  Unlike modern brides’ dresses, Ida’s dress would be used for many functions for years to come, often with modifications to bring to make it more up to date. 

I hope to blog on a more regular basis from hence forth. Have a great May Day long weekend from here in Cloverdale, British Columbia. 

Friday, August 14, 2009

16 great-great grandparents

Randy Seaver, from http://www.geneamusings.com/, gave his readers a Saturday Night Genealogy Fun task: determine our personal ethnicity through the ethnicity of our great, great grandparents.

I fudged abit because I don't know the names of all my great, great grandparents but I am pretty certain of their ethnicity so I included them anyways. Here's mine:

Daniel BLAKE: born Dec 1829 in Loughborough Twp., Frontenac Co., Ontario; married abt 1855; died 5 Mar 1890 in Loughborough Twp., Frontenac Co., Ontario. ENGLISH

Mary Jane MAVETY: born Feb 1831 in Ernestown, Ontario; died 16 Feb 1911 in Milburn, Frontenac County, Ontario. IRISH

Henry PIXLEY: born 1839/40 in Loughborough Twp., Frontenac Co., Ontario; married 18 Apr 1862 in Wesleyan Church, Elgin Co., Ontario; died 12 Feb 1906 in Harrowsmith, Portland Twp., Frontenac Co., Ontario. ENGLISH

Anna RUTLEDGE: born 19 Aug 1842 in Loughborough Twp., Frontenac Co., Ontario; died 31 Aug 1883 in Harrowsmith, Portland Twp., Frontenac Co., Ontario. IRISH

Joseph ARMSTRONG: born abt 24 Oct 1828 in Clonkirk, Ireland; married 28 May 1861 in Ballyhobridge Presbyterian Church, Drummully, Clones, Fermanagh, Ireland. IRISH

Mary DIXON: born abt 1831 IRISH

BYERS. IRISH

Unknown . IRISH

William Henry HOWARD: born 25 Aug 1830 in London Twp., Middlesex Co., Ontario; married 31 Mar 1852; died 3 May 1900 in Alberta. IRISH


Anne HARDING: born 28 May 1829 in London, Ontario; died 27 Mar 1892 in Blanshard Twp., Perth Co., Ontario. IRISH

William HOWARD: born abt 1837 in Ontario; married abt 1857; died 9 Mar 1882 in London Twp., Middlesex Co., Ontario. IRISH

Anne : born abt 1839 in London Twp., Middlesex Co., Ontario; died 18 Nov 1888 in Blanshard Twp., Perth Co., Ontario. IRISH

George WARNER. ENGLISH


Emily . ENGLISH


John Alexander JACKSON: born 6 Aug 1850 in Medway, Rochester, Kent, England; married 2 Apr 1872 in Parish of Islington, Middlesex, England; died 8 Sep 1903 in Camberwell, County of London, England. ENGLISH


Mary Ann (Sophia) SMALL: born 2 Oct 1850 in Grays Inn Lane, St. Pancras, Middlesex Co., England; died 19 Nov 1889 in 42 Leo Street, Camberwell, Peckham, County of London, England. ENGLISH

Based on Seaver's calculation methods my ethnicity is 37.5% English and 62.5 Irish. Interesting stuff - Leo is 100% French, so I guess that mean Nicole and Yvette are 50% French, 31.25% Irish and 18.75% English.

Our new grandchild will have a even more diverse heritage with one paternal grandparent born in England and the other born to Italian immigrants. Hmm, it will take a while to figure out that one - maybe by the time the little tyke is born, I'll have it figured out.

I wonder though how it is that even if our family members have been in Canada (or the United States) for several generations, we still determine our ethnicity on the distant ancestors that first immigrated to our countries. It would seem to me that my ethnicity based on my 16 great, great grandparents is actually 50% Canadian, 25% Irish, and 25% English. And my husband is 100% Canadian! I am proud to have deep roots in Canada and I am proud to call myself a Canadian Canadian versus Irish Canadian or . . .

Monday, April 13, 2009

Reprobate ancestor

I have spent many hours searching Ontario death records on Ancestry.ca. The death records usually are quite factual: name, residence, cause of death, informant, etc. Imagine my surprise one day to run across the following death record for my third great granduncle, John N. Talbot.

The cause of death:"partly old age; but also the effects of bad conduct in early life"
Under occupation:"Farmer, auctioneer, alderman, path finder, constable, tavern keeper, pawn broker, marine, stone man and at last ??; leaves two widows and several children"
Religious Denomination:First a Protestant of Orange, then a Roman Catholic, then again a Protestant, but at last not known to have any religious belief at his death
Detail comments:Name: John Talbot
Death Date: 21 Aug 1873
Death Location: MiddlesexGender: Male
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1798Birth Location: Ireland

http://content.ancestry.ca/iexec/?htx=View&r=5543&dbid=8946&iid=ONMS935_7-0257&fn=John&ln=Talbot&st=r&ssrc=&pid=1814890

It would seem the registrar, Alex A. Abbott, had some personal knowledge of the deceased :D This the only time I have come across a death record that added much more information than the register requests.

Black sheep certainly add spice to family research.

Wow, I can't believe I'm blogging!!

Isn't technology wonderful :D I can't believe how easy it was to start a blog. I am currently cooking Easter dinner for my family so I won't have much time today to say much . . . but look for more in the future.