robertfinch.ca

Author: Robert Finch

  • Photo Post #33 | Florence Elizabeth (Mills) Titus

    Photo Post #33 | Florence Elizabeth (Mills) Titus

    Aunt Florence was the only sibling of my Grandad’s that I met. The others were long gone by the time I was born. Growing up, we would visit her and her husband Herbert Titus (Uncle Herbert) at their home in Dartmouth each summer when we went to Nova Scotia.

    When my Mom was sick with tuberculosis as a child, she had a lengthy stay at the TB Hospital in Halifax. Nan and Grandad, living in Oyster Pond, could visit her only on the weekend when they could borrow a friend’s car. Fortunately for Mom, her Aunt Florence and Aunt Belle visited her through the week, bringing with them various books, magazines, and paper dolls for her to enjoy. Mom would always remark how much those visits meant to her.

    Florence Elizabeth Mills was born June 3, 1908 in Gays River, Colchester County, Nova Scotia. She was the third child of Thomas Edward Mills and Arabella Jane Mitchell. She was likely named after her mother’s sister Florence Mitchell and her father’s sister Elizabeth Mills in Liverpool, England. She was probably the last family member who had any recollection of her father who was killed in the First World War.

    Florence married Herbert Titus in 1931. They had two daughters: Elizabeth and Marjorie. Herbert also had a son from his first marriage. Florence died in 2002. She was the last of the Mills siblings

    Source: The Halifax Mail July 20, 1931 page 11
  • Alice (Baker) Power’s Diary: June 1947

    Alice (Baker) Power’s Diary: June 1947

    Sunday June 1, 1947: Bern, Hon, and Doris down to Elsie’s for tea. Ralph and Elsie here to dinner.

    Monday June 2, 1947: Bern white washing the buildings. I washed today. Rain tonight.

    Tuesday June 3, 1947: Earl had 13 dollars of lobsters. Bud got 1 qtl fish. Dr. Wilson here thinks I have a cancer in my lip.

    Wednesday June 4, 1947: Earl, Edna, and I are going down Ship Harbor to the Doctor’s to see about my lip.

    Thursday June 5, 1947: Dr. Wilson cut the growth off my lip last night. Thinks it’s a cancer.

    Friday June 6, 1947: Sold first dry fish with Uncle Will. $105.88 9 ½ qtl.

    Saturday June 7, 1947: Earl & Bern out fishing set nets the 5th June. Had 15 mackerel, 3 halibut, 2 qtl fish.

    Sunday June 8, 1947: Uncle Rob out of bed today and came over. I am so glad he is better.

    Monday June 9, 1947: A rainy day. Hon and Bern gone back tonight. Awful rainy and blowing.

    Tuesday June 10, 1947: Earl got 2 qtl of fish. The only boat out fishing.

    Wednesday June 11, 1947: Earl got 1 qtl fish. Has all the traps loaded 9th of June.

    Thursday June 12, 1947: Forgive my sins I have confessed to thee, forgive my secret sins I do not see.

    Friday June 13, 1947: Earl had 3 qtl of fish alone today. A lovely day.

    Saturday June 14, 1947: Earl got 3 qtl fish and one barrel mackerel today alone.

    Sunday June 15, 1947: Edna, Doris & Wilson. Ralph and Elsie here for dinner. We were up to Edna’s tonight.

    Monday June 16, 1947: Bud starting fishing with Earl today. They got 6 quintal at the herring hole.

    Tuesday June 17, 1947: Earl and Bud had 4 qtl fish. Curtis Jennex helping to dress them.

    Wednesday June 18, 1947: Lay not up treasures on earth but lay for yourselves treasures in heaven.

    Thursday June 19, 1947: Matthew 6-33. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all things shall be added unto you.

    Friday June 20, 1947: Earl & Bud sold Will 6 ¼ qtl fish $65.65. This is 15 ¾ qtl sold this year so far.

    Saturday June 21, 1947: Ask the Saviour to help you comfort, strengthen, and keep you.

    Sunday June 22, 1947: Ralph & Elsie and Fred here for dinner today. A fine day.

    Monday June 23, 1947: Earl’s 5th BBl gas. I washed a lovely fine day. Ralph and Elsie here.

    Tuesday June 24, 1947: Earl stuck beans and peas. Made a fence around the peas. Ralph down Drs getting teeth out.  Sent Dr 20 dollars.

    Wednesday June 25, 1947: Earl sold Hall 520 lbs fish 55.25 now 2/qtl $228.93. Not outside today.

    Thursday June 26, 1947: Bern called me from Halifax. Olive has gone to the hospital (25).

    Friday June 27, 1947: Not at death I shrink or falter for my Saviour calls me now.

    Saturday June 28, 1947: Edna and Mason down this evening. Ralph & Elsie here also.

    Sunday June 29, 1947: Bertha came down with Rose staying until Tuesday night. Monday June 30, 1947: Earl & Bud have 7 ¾ puncheons fish salted back sold 20 qtl dry.

  • Photo Post #32 | Peter Samuel Mitchell (1835-1929)

    Photo Post #32 | Peter Samuel Mitchell (1835-1929)

    The above photo (taken on August 10, 1927 as written on the back) was sent to me by Christine Mitchell, a distant cousin. Here is Peter Samuel Mitchell (my great-great-great uncle). Peter Mitchell was born in 1835 in Oyster Pond Jeddore, Halifax County, Nova Scotia. His parents were Alexander Mitchell and Elizabeth Hurley.

    He died July 18, 1929 at the home of my great grandmother Arabella (Mitchell) Mills, the same house my grandparents lived in and where my mother was born. He was 94 at the time of his death, which is quite remarkable for the time period and considering the general conditions on the Eastern Shore throughout his lifetime.

    Like many ancestors in Jeddore, he was a mariner.

  • The Wedding of Alan Mills & Rose Power – May 7, 1938

    In 1998, I “interviewed” my Nan Rose (Power) Mills about her childhood and early adulthood in East Jeddore, Nova Scotia. The account below is based largely on the information she provided me.

    Rose Power met her future husband Alan Mills (my Grandad) when she was 16 years old. He was a friend of Sam Mitchell, who was dating Rose’s sister Edna (Poode) at the time. Rose and Alan “went together” for three years before marrying.

    Source: Nova Scotia, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, Registration: Year: 1938 number: 88903, Allan [Alan] Victor Mills and Rose Margaret Power, married at Musquodobit Harbour, Halifax County, 7 May 1938; database with images, Province of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Archives (https://archives.novascotia.ca/vital-statistics/ : accessed 29 March 2022)

    They were married on May 7, 1938 in the Manse of the United Church in Musquodoboit Harbour by Mr. Graham. Besides the bride and groom and the minister, there were five other people present: Rose’s parents Earl and Alice Power; Alan’s sister Belle and her husband Roy Jennex; and Alan’s friend Reg Foley who drove them over to the church.

    After the official marriage ceremony, they returned to Earl and Alice’s home in East Jeddore for a wedding reception. Rose’s Uncle Fred (Baker) played the wedding march on Alice’s big organ. They received plenty of gifts and well wishes from guests. One of her favourite gifts was a “pretty pink glass bowl” given by Marsha Hopkins.

    Below are some of the wedding wishes written by guests. I found these gems long forgotten in a trunk in my Grandad’s attic.

    Today is the 86th anniversary of my grandparents’ wedding. Although the marriage ultimately ended, my grandparents reconciled before Grandad died of lung cancer in 1995. So, today I celebrate what sounded like a fun and happy day.

  • Marriage Registration – George Henry Foster Young and Jane Mary Bell

    Source: “Canada, Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927,” database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1784216: accessed 19 November 2022), marriage registration 7872, George H Young and Jane Mary Bell, married at London, Middlesex County, 4 May 1892; citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto.

    Transcription:

    His name: George H Young
    Age: 28
    Residence when married: London
    Place of birth: Ontario
    Bachelor or Widow: Widow
    Rank or profession: Moulder
    Names of Parents: Matthew and Elizabeth Young
    Her name: Jane Mary Bell
    Age: 23
    Residence when married: London
    Place of birth: Ireland
    Spinster of widow: Spinster
    Names of parents: William and Letitia Bell
    Names and residences of witnesses: Annie Cornell(?), London
    Date and place of marriage: May 4, 1892, London
    Religious denomination of bridegroom: Methodist
    Religious denomination of groom: Church of England
    By whom married: S. Bond

  • Photo Post #31 | George Henry Foster Young

    Photo Post #31 | George Henry Foster Young

    Here is a photo of my great great grandfather George Henry Foster Young. He was born in 1864 in Northfield Centre, Brant County in present-day Ontario. On May 4, 1892 he married Jane Mary Bell from Ireland. He was a widow; his first wife was Barbara Hesson.

  • Obituary – Georgina Grace (Arnold) Power

    Mrs. Albert Power obituary, Halifax Chronicle Herald, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 25 July 1933, page 2.

    MRS. ALBERT POWER
    East Jeddore, July 24 – There passed away at her home here on Sunday at noon Georgina Grace, wife of Albert Power, in her 67th year. The deceased, who was a well-known and highly respected resident, is survived besides her husband by four daughters, Mrs. Blanche Oxner, Lunenburg; Mrs. Pearl Harpell, West Jeddore; Mrs. Edna Myers and Mrs. Jennie Baker, East Jeddore; four sons, William A, Harvey, Earle, and Layton; thirty-four grand-children, one great-grandchild, one sister who resides on Prince Edward Island, and a brother, Lorne Arnold, of East Jeddore. The funeral will be held Tueday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the Baptist Church at East Jeddore. Rev. A. Campbell, pastor of the Baptist Church, assisted by Rev. George Gardiner of Halifax, will conduct the service.

  • Alice (Baker) Power’s Diary: May 1947

    Alice (Baker) Power’s Diary: May 1947

    Thursday May 1, 1947: Hon gone back on the bus. Awful rough. Bud and Earl lost a lot of traps.

    Friday May 2, 1947: Still raining. Earl and Bud went outside 7 am. Has been raining since Wed PM.

    Saturday May 3, 1947: Saviour keep me pure in heart ever faithful true to thee.

    Sunday May 4, 1947: Fred here for dinner. Ralph & Elsie here for supper.

    Monday May 5, 1947: Awful stormy spring. Rough all the time. Rained for 8 days now.

    Tuesday May 6, 1947: 2nd Bbl of gas. I will praise thee with my whole heart I’ll praise thee oh Lord.

    Wednesday May 7, 1947: Abide with me fast falls the eventide the darkness deepens Lord with me abide.

    Thursday May 8, 1947: Still raining and rough. The men not doing anything lobsters.

    Friday May 9, 1947: Levi here with potatoes. Uncle Rob gone outside after Ed Daye.

    Saturday May 10, 1947: Edna, Mason, Ralph, & Elsie here tonight. Edna brought me a cake.

    Sunday May 11, 1947: Rose, Alan, and children here for dinner & supper. Edna and children down.

    Monday May 12, 1947: I washed and ironed. Earl & Bud outside. Had 35 large lobsters.

    Tuesday May 13, 1947: Earl & I digging up the garden this morning. Bud up flat fishing.

    Wednesday May 14, 1947: Oh what peace we often forfeit oh what needless pain we bear.

    Thursday May 15, 1947: Elsie and I planted the rose bushes on the graves Dear Rob and Lyall.

    Friday May 16, 1947: I was in town. Leave the unknown future in the master’s hands for Jesus understands.

    Saturday May 17, 1947: Dad & I in town with Clyde Perry. I got my hair done at Bonnie’s.

    Sunday May 18, 1947: Mason, Edna, & family here for dinner. Ralph & Elsie here all day.

    Monday May 19, 1947: 3 BBl gas. Bud started fishing with Mason. He got 1 ½ qtls of cod fish.

    Tuesday May 20, 1947: I papered Hon’s room and muresco the ceiling. Rob had 20 herring.

    Wednesday May 21, 1947: Father I have wandered from three, often has my heart gone astray. Crimson does my sins.

    Thursday May 22, 1947: Rob had a halibut yesterday 98 lbs. Elsie & Ralph here for tea.

    Friday May 23, 1947: Rob had 1 mackerel first caught this year. Earl had 11 dollars lobsters.

    Saturday May 24, 1947: He will hide me safely hide me in the shadow of his hands.

    Sunday May 25, 1947: Olive and a crowd out for dinner and supper.

    Monday May 26, 1947: A big rain storm. I never washed today.

    Tuesday May 27, 1947: Enos made my garden. Anna down this evening.

    Wednesday May 28, 1947: I planted some things today. Aunt Margaret here after noon.

    Thursday May 29, 1947: I planted some more seeds. Elsie here for dinner.

    Friday May 30, 1947: Trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.

    Saturday May 31, 1947: Hon and Bern came home tonight for a week’s holiday.

  • Photo Post #30 | Bertha Arabella Mills

    Today is my aunt Bert’s birthday. She would’ve turned 80. Born Arabella Bertha Mills (we always called her “Bert”) she was the third daughter of my grandparents Alan Mills and Rose Power. She was born April 26, 1944 at home in Oyster Pond Jeddore, Nova Scotia.

    When I was growing up, Bert and her first husband and their family lived next door to us on the Beach Strip in Hamilton. I can still remember the days when she would pick me up from school. Those were the best days because she would always take me to Burger King in their orange pick-up truck. I loved that truck – and the trips to Burger King.

    Years later, she and her second husband lived in the house on the other side of us. So, Bert was our neighbour twice. Bert died September 10, 2021.

    Here is a photo of Bert taken when she was two years old. My Nan’s writing is on the reverse of the photograph.

  • Photo Post #29 | Dancing Grandparents

    Photo Post #29 | Dancing Grandparents

    Here are a couple photos of my paternal grandparents Clifford and Hazel (Vansickle) Finch dancing at their 45th wedding anniversary reception in 1982. I love the smiles on their faces. They were clearly having a great time.

    I can only vaguely recollect this event as I was only (almost) 5 years old at the time. I remember everybody getting up and doing the “chicken dance.”