It has been an eventful nine months with having a baby, moving across the country, setting up house, kids in school, being a mother of five and a wife of a very busy man.
Keeping up with technology is some what daunting. I am writing this post on my iPhone. I wanted to see how it would work. So far so good.
Lessons learned in writing blogs so far in 2013
1. One can write a blog using a smart phone, iPad or tablet
2. Apps! There are many out there that I am exploring...will post ones that I like.
3. I love that even when I have not posted in a long time, I am still contacted by cousins and our sharing of info still happens.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Friday, June 1, 2012
Grant William Sigurdur
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| Here he is with Owen. |
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| Grant is one month old here with his big, big, big, big brother (Seth likes to remind us that he is the oldest of the 5). |
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Continuing My Search for a Name
Yesterday I found myself drawn to the history of Clans and their make-up. Now that I know about being part of the Grant clan and finding more info on it has spurred me on to learn more about the Bowie's who were part of the MacDonald Clan.
While I was researching the Grant clan on this website:http://www.clangrant-us.org/. I saw that Bowie's were associated with this clan. My interest was peaked!
I then looked into how Bowie's could be part of both the clans. Apparently the Bowie's had always been with the MacDonald or Donald clan until the time when the clan's leader changed religion from Protestantism to Catholism. There was a divide among the Bowie's and those who chose to remain faithful to Protestantism were accepted by the Grant Clan and they associated themselves with them.
Although William Bowie's children were all baptized into the Catholic church he himself was Protestant, therefore, I am associated with the Grant Clan on both my maternal and paternal side- talk about being inclusive.
Now if this wasn't enough, the origins of the Grant Clan came to be as explained here on Wikipedia:
[edit]
While I was researching the Grant clan on this website:http://www.clangrant-us.org/. I saw that Bowie's were associated with this clan. My interest was peaked!
I then looked into how Bowie's could be part of both the clans. Apparently the Bowie's had always been with the MacDonald or Donald clan until the time when the clan's leader changed religion from Protestantism to Catholism. There was a divide among the Bowie's and those who chose to remain faithful to Protestantism were accepted by the Grant Clan and they associated themselves with them.
Although William Bowie's children were all baptized into the Catholic church he himself was Protestant, therefore, I am associated with the Grant Clan on both my maternal and paternal side- talk about being inclusive.
Now if this wasn't enough, the origins of the Grant Clan came to be as explained here on Wikipedia:
The Grants are one of the clans of Siol Alpin, and descend from the 9th century Kenneth MacAlpin, King of Scots; and also of Norse origin, from settlers who are the descents of Haakon inn Riki Sigurdarsson , Jarl of Hladr, Protector of Norway ( Hakon Sigurdsson ),(c. 937 – 995), sometimes known as "the Great ", who was the defacto ruler of Norway from about 975 to 995.
The first recorded Grant was Sir Laurence le Grant who was Sherriff of Inverness in 1260. His son, John Grant was captured by the English during the Wars of Scottish Independence.[1][dead link] Members of Clan Grant have owned land in Strathspey at least since 1316, prior to that , most likely in Stratherrick, to the east of Loch Ness. In 1316, John Grant of Inverallan sold his land to John le Grant, who was father of Patrick le Grant, Lord of Stratherrick.
After our trip to Iceland this past September and learning more about the importance of the name Sigurdar, we really wanted to include that name for our baby- well knowing that the son of Sigurdar was the beginning of the Grant Clan just is the icing on the cake!!
It is amazing at what can inspire us at various times of our lives. I am grateful for the legacy that has been left for us and I try to impress these matters on my children as they grow and develop their own sense of who they are. I know that I am edified each time I learn about my each person in my ancestry.
[edit]
Friday, March 9, 2012
What's In a Name
I think that starting a young age girls in particular start dreaming about what kind of husband they will have and what they will name their children. I actually did name my first son one of those names. However all the other names now seem a little silly and out of date.
Now that our 5th child will be born soon, the ominous task of naming the child has been before us. I have considered many names, but there has been one that has been staying with me. Having family significance is of great importance especially as I have grown closer to my ancestors and their legacy has become so much richer to me.
William is definatly a middle name that I feel so strongly about- I couldn't use it as a first name in fear of "Willy" being used. However, there are many Williams of great importance in my line and feel honoured to include that name for our son.
The first name is Grant. My mom's cousin is Grant and he had a cousin named Grant but this is not a huge family connection. Last Sunday I decided to check out my family lines on newfamilysearch.org. I was absolutely flabberghasted when I discovered that I can trace my roots back 13 generations.
My great great grandmother was Eliza Aurelia Hall, her mother was Emily Jane Chisholm whose father was Alexander Chisholm who came to Canada from Knockfin, Scotland. His father was Colin Chisholm the 4th , his father was Colin Chisholm who married Helen Grant (born 1753 Urquhart Scotland). Her father was Duncan Grant. Colin Chisholm's parents were John Chisholm and Barbara Grant (1707 Urquhart Scotland) and thanks to you I can follow this line back 13 generations.
In a matter of a few emails I have received 40 pages photocopied from a history book on the Grant Clan and a 800 page book about the Grant's. This is a wealth of info. Also I was able to find a lot of information on line about the family and their legacy.
http://www.clangrant.org/history.php
(all images were taken from the web-wikipedia and above link)
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| Urquhart Castle and Grant Tower Grant Clan had it in their possession from 1509- 1912 |
Now that our 5th child will be born soon, the ominous task of naming the child has been before us. I have considered many names, but there has been one that has been staying with me. Having family significance is of great importance especially as I have grown closer to my ancestors and their legacy has become so much richer to me.
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| Clan's Symbol |
William is definatly a middle name that I feel so strongly about- I couldn't use it as a first name in fear of "Willy" being used. However, there are many Williams of great importance in my line and feel honoured to include that name for our son.
 |
| One of their tartan's |
The first name is Grant. My mom's cousin is Grant and he had a cousin named Grant but this is not a huge family connection. Last Sunday I decided to check out my family lines on newfamilysearch.org. I was absolutely flabberghasted when I discovered that I can trace my roots back 13 generations.
 |
| Grant Castle (no longer in their possession) |
My great great grandmother was Eliza Aurelia Hall, her mother was Emily Jane Chisholm whose father was Alexander Chisholm who came to Canada from Knockfin, Scotland. His father was Colin Chisholm the 4th , his father was Colin Chisholm who married Helen Grant (born 1753 Urquhart Scotland). Her father was Duncan Grant. Colin Chisholm's parents were John Chisholm and Barbara Grant (1707 Urquhart Scotland) and thanks to you I can follow this line back 13 generations.
In a matter of a few emails I have received 40 pages photocopied from a history book on the Grant Clan and a 800 page book about the Grant's. This is a wealth of info. Also I was able to find a lot of information on line about the family and their legacy.
http://www.clangrant.org/history.php
(all images were taken from the web-wikipedia and above link)
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Great Great Great Great Uncle James Morton
This past week has been tremendous for me. Last Sunday I discovered a great deal about my great great great great uncle James Morton (1808-1864). He came to Kingston, Ontario Canada June 24, 1824. When he arrived he worked for Molson as an apprentice for 7 years. After that he went into a partnership with Robert Drummond. After Mr Drummond died James bought him out and continued on his own and called it "Morton's Distillery".
His distillery continued till 1900. It is now an art center owned and operated by the City of Kingston.
James Morton was a man of many interests and became a very rich and important man in Kingston. For more information on him here are several links that are fascinating:
http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=4615
His distillery continued till 1900. It is now an art center owned and operated by the City of Kingston.
James Morton was a man of many interests and became a very rich and important man in Kingston. For more information on him here are several links that are fascinating:
http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=4615
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| This is an artistic depiction of Morton's brewery. |
So my great great great grandfather George Morton (1815-1893) came to Canada with his Uncle James after Uncle James had established himself in Kingston.
According to my great grandfather's life account he said that George Morton boght land in the Barriefield area, had many children (Robert was his second born) and then desired more land so he bought 100 acres in Picton County a mile and a half from Milford.
While I was researching this I saw an Evan Morton on-line who is the curator of the Tweed Museum and remembered the name. Evan Morton's grandfather is David Morton who is the older brother of my great great great grandfather George who came over thanks to the support of James Morton. Our family will be going up to Tweed in two weeks to meet cousin Evan and learn more about our Morton ancestors. I am so thrilled. One of the highlights of our conversation was that Evan remembers Eliza Aurelia Hall who married Robert Morton.
I look forward to reporting my findings about these great pioneers of our country.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
A Great Day
Today I had the opportunity to drive down to Fergus to visit the Wellington Archives. Took two kids to school and two others to a friends. I have been to the archives once before.
I was able to find some information. It really does feel ominous being where you know all the answers lie it's just so challenging to find it all.
Here is what I found:
Ida Blackwell (1880-1973) married Elmer Samis (1879-1951) had Lomer who took over the farm which had been in the family for four generations ( Solomon, William, Elmer and Lomer). Solomon Samis had 6 children: Elizabeth (Betsy), Jane, Nancy, Annie, Hettie, Arthur and William. I need to do some work on finding more about this family.
Ida E.Blackwell was the daughter of John Irvine's sister Martha (daughter of Andrew Irvine and Hannah Brintnell)
John W Hefkey (1885-1969) married Ethel Cunningham (1892-1972) John W is the son of John (1854-1933) and Susan Irvine the sister to John Irvine who married Rebecca Caldwell who are the parents of my great grandmother Lottie Victoria Irvine.
John came from Waterloo County to work in Drayton as a shoe repairman and eventually took over the business. His son took over from him.
John and Susan had 6 children:
John W
Irvine (died in 1951)
Ethel (married Mr Bechtold)
Eva Lillian (died 1911) have a picture of her headstone at Drayton Cemetary died of burns
Mabel (married Herman Quick)
Florence (married Brock Philip)
I found that Irvine married Sarah Maria Fothergill. In Bellville they had a stillborn baby names Thomas John Hefeky on 12 March 1938, I don't know anything more.
I also found all their birthdates in the 1901 census.
There was a Percy L Irvine who became a doctor and moved to Toronto in 1924 he married Myrtle Coam (her father was the publisher of the newspaper Mr Jabez Coram) and they had tow daughters Francis and Phyllis - need to figure out if we are connected here.
Then in a random scan in the Drayton Advocate ( Sept 17, 1925) I spotted a little news item: Mrs. M Blackwell and niece Jane Blackwell left for Willows and Howard Sask last week after spending a couple of months at the home of her daughter Mrs E. Samis and other friends. This must be Martha who married Micheal Blackwell (28 April 1879 in Drayton). Not sure about this because Samis's had a four generation farm however this could be one of the sons who had to find his own land and went out West to find his fortune, just has Lottie's Uncle Thomas Caldwell did in. I also just noticed that John Dennis Blackwell (son of John Blackwell and Ann O'Brien) moved to Harding, Manitoba... is this the connection?
So many questions...so good.
I was able to find some information. It really does feel ominous being where you know all the answers lie it's just so challenging to find it all.
Here is what I found:
Ida Blackwell (1880-1973) married Elmer Samis (1879-1951) had Lomer who took over the farm which had been in the family for four generations ( Solomon, William, Elmer and Lomer). Solomon Samis had 6 children: Elizabeth (Betsy), Jane, Nancy, Annie, Hettie, Arthur and William. I need to do some work on finding more about this family.
Ida E.Blackwell was the daughter of John Irvine's sister Martha (daughter of Andrew Irvine and Hannah Brintnell)
John W Hefkey (1885-1969) married Ethel Cunningham (1892-1972) John W is the son of John (1854-1933) and Susan Irvine the sister to John Irvine who married Rebecca Caldwell who are the parents of my great grandmother Lottie Victoria Irvine.
John came from Waterloo County to work in Drayton as a shoe repairman and eventually took over the business. His son took over from him.
John and Susan had 6 children:
John W
Irvine (died in 1951)
Ethel (married Mr Bechtold)
Eva Lillian (died 1911) have a picture of her headstone at Drayton Cemetary died of burns
Mabel (married Herman Quick)
Florence (married Brock Philip)
I found that Irvine married Sarah Maria Fothergill. In Bellville they had a stillborn baby names Thomas John Hefeky on 12 March 1938, I don't know anything more.
I also found all their birthdates in the 1901 census.
There was a Percy L Irvine who became a doctor and moved to Toronto in 1924 he married Myrtle Coam (her father was the publisher of the newspaper Mr Jabez Coram) and they had tow daughters Francis and Phyllis - need to figure out if we are connected here.
Then in a random scan in the Drayton Advocate ( Sept 17, 1925) I spotted a little news item: Mrs. M Blackwell and niece Jane Blackwell left for Willows and Howard Sask last week after spending a couple of months at the home of her daughter Mrs E. Samis and other friends. This must be Martha who married Micheal Blackwell (28 April 1879 in Drayton). Not sure about this because Samis's had a four generation farm however this could be one of the sons who had to find his own land and went out West to find his fortune, just has Lottie's Uncle Thomas Caldwell did in. I also just noticed that John Dennis Blackwell (son of John Blackwell and Ann O'Brien) moved to Harding, Manitoba... is this the connection?
So many questions...so good.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Plodding Along
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| Picture of the town of Drayton, ON in 1878 around the time that Annie O'Brien was married to Thomas and raising her family. |
I have been concentrating my efforts on the Annie O'Brien (1831 Ireland) Thomas Caldwell (1811 Scotland) union of Aug 9, 1861 in Drayton ON.
Something I did not realize was that Annie O'Brien was married to John Blackwell born in1823 in Louth, Ireland. They married in Drayton, ON and had two sons: Francis born 1849 and John Dennis Blackwell born 1856 in Drayton. John then died in 1860. Annie remarried my great great great grandfather Thomas and had 4 children: Caroline, Lottie, Thomas and Rebecca (she is my great great grandmother).
I will be visiting the Archives once again this Thursday in hopes to obtain more information on these families.
The search continues...
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