Having trouble finding information about a particular family member or have you finally hit your “brick wall”? Consider submitting a query for publication in the Branch newsletter, the Simcoe County Ancestor News (SCAN). Published quarterly in February, May, August and November, this informative publication reaches out to over 400 individuals and organizations across Canada and the US with interest in family history in Simcoe County.
Submissions should be directed to the Newsletter Editor and details of how can be found on the How to Submit a Query page.
Queries appearing in SCAN will also be added to the Simcoe County Branch Queries page below. Only your name and e-mail address will be published online as contact information.
Replies should be directed to the enquirer using the email address following each query. If you need to reply by mail or telephone, please contact the Branch Chair for further contact information.
Queries are listed here in order of date published.
SCAN Volume 26 No. 3, August 2008
SUPPLE: Looking for information about Richard Supple. In the early 1840’s he was living in Oshawa where he was one of the founding members of St. Gregory’s Roman Catholic Church. At that time he was a boot maker. At some point he moved to Barrie Ontario where he died on Feb. 18, 1867 and his body was returned to Oshawa for interment.
John Miller [email protected]
SCAN Volume 26 No. 2, May 2008
FOREMAN: I am searching for information on Frank Foreman born 27 Apr 1865 in Collingwood. Married to Minnie Mickler born 1860 in Penetanguishene, on November 20, 1889. They had five children, Frank Jr., Mary, Kate, Duncan and Alice. Frank Jr. married Mabel Brownnell. Mary married Hugh Andrews. Kate married James Darling. Duncan married Ann Webb. Alice – died in infancy.
Karen deVries [email protected]
SHERIDAN: Located in Barrie, Hope Twp. And Toronto. Felix and Mary (Dunn) Sheridan came to Canada about 1842 and lived in Hope Twp. for awhile. They then lived in Toronto and later Barrie. Felix was Postmaster in his store with James, in Allendale around 1850. His son Bernard had a store on Dunlop Street in Barrie in the 1850s and he married Mary Donnelly in Oct. 1858. A daughter Mary married Hugh Blackstock in Thornton July 1849. A daughter Elizabeth married Henry Columbus of Penetang in 1868. Patrick another son raised his family in Hamilton and is our direct line. Felix had three wives so there may be other children. Felix and Sarah had a store on Richmond Street in Toronto in 1859 and retired in Allendale in 1870.
Michael & Diane Sheridan [email protected]
SPILLETT: I have found death registrations for 4 Spillett children (sons & daughters of Richard Spillett and Margaret, nee Miller), who all died between 18 Sep and 21 Sep 1883. Cause of death in all cases is “Not given” in the death registrations for Simcoe, Tecumseth. The children are Annie, died 18 Sep 1883, age 6 years 5 mos: Willie, died 19 Sep 1883, age 3 years 8 mos: Stanley, died 19 Sep 1883, age 9 years 4 mos: and Lottie, died 21 Sep 1883, age 7 years 11 mos. Three are nicknames as Annie, Willie and Lottie are listed elsewhere as Anna, William and Charlotte. The father Richard died just 9 mos earlier on 29 Dec 1882. Richard was the son of Stanley Spillett Sr. (“the Brickmaker”) and Hannah (nee Paxman). Stanley Sr. Is said to have died 29 Apr 1882, and was buried in Wilson’s Hill cemetery, although I can’t find evidence of that. It seems strange that just 9 months after Richard died that 4 of his children should die in a 3 or 4 day period. I am wondering if anyone has any info on the deaths of Stanley Sr. And Richard and his four children or could lead me to it.
Robbie Robinson [email protected]
STEWART/BELL/WHITE: Looking for information regarding David Stewart, settled on Lot 14, Con 8 Tay Township on or before 1881. Also looking for John Bell and John White who were tenants in the same period, located on Lot 18, Con 12, Tay Township.
Ken Bell [email protected]
SCAN Volume 26 No. 1, February 2008
SMART: John Smart, born in England circa 1830 was the son of William & Louisa Smart. His obituary says he was born in Dorsetshire, and came to Canada as a young lad of just 16. He arrived in Toronto in 1846 after a passage of 6 weeks on the Atlantic Ocean. He lived with an uncle in Weston, ON for several years. When the construction of the Northern Railway began, he engaged as a driver on a supply wagon, and visited Collingwood for the first time in 1854. During that year several trips were made from Toronto to Collingwood by the teams, supplying provisions for the men employed in the construction of the Railway. On the completion of the road and opening of the same for traffic, Mr. Smart engaged as a permanent employee of the Railway Company in their train service, where by diligence and ability he advanced to the position of conductor, a position he held for the balance of the time he remained in the employ of the company, be it said to his credit that during the 36 years he remained in the employ of the Railroad Company he never had an accident. He was a member of Canterbury Lodge, Sons of England, and was buried under the auspices of that Society. He was a representative alderman for Ward #5 and had been elected to serve his second term. He was a lifelong conservative in politics and a consistent member of the Methodist Church. John Smart married Isabella Pearson, the daughter of Joseph & Ann Pearson on October 12, 1861. They resided in Toronto about 16 years after their marriage and came to Collingwood in the late 1870’s. They purchased a pretty little cottage at 310 Pine St., and not too many years before his death they moved to a beautiful new home on 5th Street. Mr. Smart died March 31 1898, leaving a wife, 3 sons and 2 daughters. One son and one daughter predeceased him. The funeral was April 2, 1898 and the remains were taken to the Trinity Methodist Cemetery. Anyone with further information about John Smart can contact:
Karen deVries [email protected]
CAMERON: Looking for descendants of Angus Cameron whose stone at Guthrie Cemetery reads – Cameron, Angus – died July 25, 1890 aged 54 years, 7 mos., a loving husband and father. There is no record of him in any census except possibly 1861 Oro, when he was aged 19, b. Scotland at the Samuel Palk home at Shanty Bay along with Neil Cameron, aged 21, also b. Scotland. I suspect this is a brother and that his father may also have been Neil Cameron. There is another Angus Cameron of the same age who died the same month buried with his wife Rosina. He is definitely a different Angus.
Marjorie Cameron McQuay [email protected]
SCAN Vol 25, No. 4, November 2007
BANNISTER: David Bannister married Catherine Cahell 6, March 1829 in Waterford Ireland. David was born in Leicestershire England 1791. David was a soldier with the British Army, 76th Regiment for 18 1/2 years serving as a Yeoman and rifler. He fought in the War of 1812 and according to Andrew F. Hunter “A History of Simcoe County, Part II – The Pioneers, p. 126” was with the H M S Nancy when it was destroyed in the Nottawasaga River. He was stationed at the Naval Military Establishment in Penetanguishene Ontario from 1824 to 1826. He was pensioned around 1829 and returned to Canada with wife and two children in 1830. He received a land grant in Waverly, Ontario for his service.
Karen deVries [email protected]
GRANT/MOE: Seeking information on the family of Charles E. GRANT, b. 1851 England, Town Clerk of Orillia, m. 1881 in Orillia, Ontario to Bessie Moe, b. 1858 Berlin (Kitchener) Ontario, d. 1921 Orillia, Ontario, d/o Husted Moe, Captain of the Emily May and first station master at Orillia. Children: Albert b. 1882, Reginald b. 1886, Vera b. 1888, Murray b. 1891, Rodger b. 1893, Beatrice b. 1894 and Bessie b. 1900.
John F. Wright [email protected]
SPROULE: Looking for the children and descendents of Andrew and Anne (nee McKinley) Sproule. Andrew b. 1820 married Anne McKinley, b 1834 d. Jan 1913, Lot 18 Con 13, Tecumseth Twp. Children: Levina b. 1857 married Joseph Leighton, Mary Jane b. 1859 married William Thomas McMaster, Sarah b. 1860 married Richard Bell, James b. 1862 married 1. Mary J. Muir and 2. Kate Maley, and William Alexander b. 1869 married Agnes Lee. William was living in Dewisis (sic) County, Manitoba at the time of his marriage to Agnes.
Nancy Leveque [email protected]
SCAN Vol 25, No.3, August 2007
KILLMASTER: Looking for information about Robert & Sophia (Sophie) Killmaster. They owned a farm in Allandale in Vespra Twp and were living there when Robert died in Barrie on 11 March 1926. Sophia lived there until her death on 04 Feb 1926.
Victoria Miller [email protected]
LAWS: Looking for information about Ralph Albert Laws, born about 1894 Stayner, Ontario, the son of Albert Edwin Laws & Mary Ann Sanders. Ralph was in the Canadian forces in WWI, listing a Barrie , Ontario address, and met Anne Davies while stationed in England . They married June 1920, St. George’s Anglican, Allandale, Barrie and were living in St. Catharines in 1923.
Lorilee Ali [email protected]
SCAN Vol 25, No.2, May 2007
SOLOMON: I am researching the family of William and Mary Jane Solomon whose homesrtead was in Rosemont. Son Joseph was still at home in 1881 at age 25. I have no further trace of him. Also I would like to know when Samuel (another son and my grandfather) and Agnes moved to Lot 3, Con. 7, Essa.
Joyce (Solomon) Pinkney [email protected]
McKINLEY: Looking for information about William McKinley, son of Hugh McKinley and Lavina Sproule baptized July 15, 1843 at the First Canada Presbyterian Congregation of Essa, Tecumseth Twp., Ontario, Canada. Family was living on Con 13, Lot 13, Tecumseth at that time, however by the 1861 census was located in Innisfil.
Nancy Leveque [email protected]
SCAN Vol 24, No. , September 2006
SOLOMON: I am searching for information on the Solomon family. William, circa 1816 we think came from Ireland and I believe he had to brothers, George, a bachelor who farmed near Paisley, and Charles. I have a death card “Died at his home at Primrose on Sunday, October 1st, 1916, Charles Solomon aged 65 Years, 11 Months and 19 Days.” but age-wise, it does not seem to match. Is there any way of fi nding out who William’s parents were & from whence they came? Also, my Dad, Earl Solomon, son of Samuel grew up I believe in Mulmer Twp. Where did Samuel and Agnes farm? And, when did they move to Essa, Lot 2E, Conc 9? I have no information re Mary Ann Lee. If you come across anything that would be appreciated. The information I have re a Charles Solomon m. Eliza McLean children Bernice McKay, Dalton, Wm, Ettie Graham, Lottie McBride and Bertha. Elizabeth remarried a John Anderson – any help?
Joyce (Solomon) Pinkney [email protected]
THOMPSON/REID: Who are the parents of Janet THOMPSON (b. March 1850 ref Death Reg.) who m. 29 March 1870 Alexander (Sandy) REID? Janet’s death reg. of Sep 7, 1910 (info from her son-in-law) records William THOMPSON and Isabella GRIEERS as her parents. Janet’s 1st daughter is Isabella REID (m. to W.E. Preston) and there was a son William, d.y. But there is no THOMPSON of these names in the 1861 Census – only William THOMPSON and Elizabeth BEARD on 10th Line, Oro, both buried in Knox Presbyterian Cemetery. Kith ‘n Kin states Janet THOMPSON lived on the 10th Line, Oro, but she is not listed on the 1861 Census with this family. Any help on THOMPSON or REID appreciated.
Ann Harris [email protected]
SCAN Vol 23, No. 2, May 2005
MITCHELL, GRAHAM: Looking for the parents of Mary Ann MITCHELL, born 26 August 1833 in Barrie, Ontario. She married in 1852 Alexander GRAHAM (born 13 Oct. 1823, Fermanagh, Ireland – died 12 Dec. 1902 in Barrie). Mary Ann MITCHELL Graham died in Barrie, 1921. Obit says she lived on Worsley Street most of her life. Alexander’s brother, Andrew GRAHAM owned the tannery in Barrie.
Brooke Hunter [email protected]
SCAN Vol 22, No. 5, Feb 2005
GRAHAM-COLES: Seeking info on the family of John GRAHAM and Elizabeth COLES who lived 1861, 1871, 1881 in Essa Twp. John GRAHAM born 1838 in Upper Canada, carpenter, parents William and Elizabeth GRAHAM, who first settled in Cavan Twp, Durham Cty. Elizabeth COLES born 1843 Canada West, parents John and Catherine COLES. Married 22 June 1860, witness to marriage was Joshua HARRISON of Essa Twp. Children: James E. born 1862, John H. born 1865, Christina born 1867, Hartwood born 1879, Ethel born 1874 and Ida Maud born 1879.
John GRAHAM’s brother was William GRAHAM, born 1824 Ireland, married 20 September 1868 in Nottawasaga Twp, Catherine COLES, born 1816 Ireland, residence Nottawasaga Twp. Catherine’s parents were Thomas and Elizabeth ELLIOTT. Witness to wedding was Edward WISS of Nottawasaga Twp. We believe Elizabeth COLES was Catherine COLES daughter.Seek contact with anyone related or knows of family
Don Graham [email protected]
Replies should be directed to the enquirer using the email address following each query. If you need to reply by mail or telephone, please contact the Branch Chair for further contact information.
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