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Author: Robert Finch

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

    Alice (Baker) Power’s Diary: March 1947

    And now, let’s see what’s happening down in East Jeddore in March 1947. The wood has been sawed up and the fishing boats have been launched.

    Saturday March 1, 1947:
    I am passing down the valley
    they say is so lone

    Sunday March 2, 1947:
    Bud down getting
    3 more teeth out
    Enos + Jim with him

    Monday March 3, 1947:
    I washed Earl
    hung clothes out
    to dry My cold isnt well

    Tuesday March 4, 1947:
    Hon came home
    on the Bus tonight
    a nice fine day

    Wednesday March 5, 1947:
    Hon up home and
    up to Ednas
    for dinner

    Thursday March 6, 1947:
    Hon down to Elsies
    for supper
    Ralph + Elsie here tonight

    Friday March 7, 1947:
    Hon going back
    on the Bus tomorrow
    morning Anna here for tea

    Saturday March 8, 1947:
    Bud went up to
    Roses to stay
    overnight

    Sunday March 9, 1947:
    Maurice here this
    afternoon
    Doris here for dinner

    Monday March 10, 1947:
    hauling pretty well done
    Hall sawed 3 hours for
    us today cost 5.50

    Tuesday March 11, 1947:
    Hall finished sawing
    our wood this morning
    had 8 ¾ hours cost $5.50

    Wednesday March 12, 1947:
    Sawed Robs and Ross
    Arnolds wood. Sawing Ralphs
    tomorrow cost him 6 dollars

    Thursday March 13, 1947:
    Blessed are the
    mercyfull for they
    shall obtain mercy

    Friday March 14, 1947:
    I washed and cleaned
    up the room and
    Buds room today

    Saturday March 15, 1947:
    I had my work all
    done early and cleaned
    up before dinner

    Sunday March 16, 1947:
    Arnold Ralph + Elsie here
    for tea We all went up
    to Ednas tonight

    Monday March 17, 1947:
    Mason and Jim launched
    their Boats.
    Ralph + Elsie here tonight

    Tuesday March 18, 1947:
    launched our Boat
    and Ralphs today
    Snowed 1 inch last night

    Wednesday March 19, 1947:
    Pass me not oh gentle Saviour
    hear my humble cry
    While on others thou are calling
    do not pass me by

    Thursday March 20, 1947:
    Earl + Bud finished spliting
    firewood yesterday 19

    Friday March 21, 1947:
    Saviour like a shepherd lead
    us. Much we need
    thy tender care

    Saturday March 22, 1947:
    Saviour Saviour hear my
    humble cry While on others
    thou are calling do not pass me by

    Sunday March 23, 1947:
    Albert here for dinner
    Edna and Wilson here
    for tea 24 people here today

    Monday March 24, 1947:
    I washed and ironed
    Ralph + Elsie here
    for dinner

    Tuesday March 25, 1947:
    thunder and lightning
    tonight Pop went home 8 o’clock

    Wednesday March 26, 1947:
    Uncle Rob launched
    his big Boat

    Thursday March 27, 1947:
    Earl got his Bounty
    $7.80 Anna + Enos here
    for tea Lobster licence came

    Friday March 28, 1947:
    Snow Storm
    Bud + Ralph got their
    Bountys 6.80 each
    Pop not down tonight

    Saturday March 29, 1947:
    Troubled heart thy
    God is calling. He is
    drawing very near

    Sunday March 30, 1947:
    Saviour Saviour hear my
    humble cry While on others thou are
    calling do not pass me by

    Monday March 31, 1947:
    I washed and was
    over to Evas sewing on my quilt top

  • Colin Mitchell Greenough, 1895-1952

    Colin Mitchell Greenough in his CEF uniform during the First World War.

    Long before my great grandmother Arabella Mitchell married my great grandfather Thomas Edward Mills from Liverpool, England, she was married to a man named Isaac Gaetz Greenough from Petpeswick, Halifax County, Nova Scotia. Sadly, Isaac Gaetz died in 1896; he was only 24 years old.

    Together, Arabella and Isaac had two children: a daughter named Helen and a son named Colin. Colin was only six months old when his father died.

    Birth Registration of Colin Mitchell Greenough. Source: Nova Scotia, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, birth registration 71502201, Colin M. Greenough, born at Halifax County, 29 July 1895; database with images, Province of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Archives (https://archives.novascotia.ca/vital-statistics/ : accessed 2 January 2023)

    In 1901, Arabella and her son Colin were living in the Meagher’s Grant area, where Arabella was a teacher. Arabella’s mother Nancy Hurley was from this area, so she would’ve been amongst familiar people. And it was here where she met Thomas Mills.

    In the 1911 Canada Census, the Thomas Mills household was composed of him, wife Arabella, son Harland, daughters Alice, Florence, and Arabella, and stepson Colin. The family lived on a farm in Gays River, Colchester County, NS. Colin was 15 at this time. Curiously, this census lists Colin as being born in the United States instead of Nova Scotia.

    During the First World War, Colin joined the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in October 1915. He was assigned to the Composite Battalion and sailed to England in February 1916. See below for a link to Colin’s military records.

    From March 1916 to May 1917, Colin served as a Pioneer with the 2nd Canadian Pioneers in France. The pioneers were an engineering unit who would tunnel under the battlefield and place explosives in enemy territory. Unfortunately, he became ill and was transferred back to England.

    In May 1917, Colin had an appendectomy in England and required several weeks of bedrest. He later developed a hernia that pretty much ended any return to the front lines. He spent the next year in various support roles in England before embarking at Liverpool in January 1919 to return to Canada.

    In February 1919, Colin was discharged from the CEF, deemed medically unfit. His contribution to the war effort was complete.

    Marriage Registration of Colin Greenough and Sadie Power. Source: Nova Scotia, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, marriage registration 7899, Colin M. Greenough and Sadie I. Powers, married at Halifax County, 24 July 1919; database with images, Province of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Archives (https://archives.novascotia.ca/vital-statistics/ : accessed 2 January 2023)

    Shortly after returning to Canada, Colin married Sadie Power (daughter of Leason Power and Idella Day). The couple had several children: Helen, Lillian, Douglas, Ida, Buddy, Colin, Florence, and Melita. Colin later worked as a naval watchman in Halifax.

    Colin Mitchell Greenough with his half sisters Arabella (Mills) Jennex (left) and Florence (Mills) Titus (right).

    Colin Mitchell Greenough died in 1952. He would have been one of the last people who had any memory of my great grandfather Thomas Mills. I know my Grandad Alan Mills really looked up to his half brother Colin. He referred to him as “Uncle Col” when talking about him to my Mom. Colin was likely more of a father figure than a half sibling to my Grandad given the age gap (20 years) between the two. Sadly, they both shared the common misfortune of neither one of them knowing their father.

    Military – Colin Mitchell Greenough – CEF Personnel RecordsDownload
  • Photo Post #27 | Edwin Vansickle and Elizabeth Herriman Wedding Photograph

    Photo Post #27 | Edwin Vansickle and Elizabeth Herriman Wedding Photograph

    Here is a photo of my second great-grandparents Edwin Vansickle and Elizabeth Herriman. They were married on June 29, 1885 in Waterford, Norfolk County, Ontario.

    Edwin Vansickle was the son of Morris Vansickle and Phoebe Weaver. He was born in 1862 in Brantford Township and died in 1945.

    Elizabeth Herriman was the daughter of James Herriman and Miriam Vansickle. She was likely born in 1864 and died in 1934.

    Both of them are buried at the Vansickle Cemetery in Jerseyville, Ontario.

  • Photo Post #26 | E.C. Finch Truck and sister Cassie’s dogs

    Photo Post #26 | E.C. Finch Truck and sister Cassie’s dogs

    I love this picture of my grandfather Clifford Finch’s Volkswagon business truck (he was a plumber and electrician) and a couple of dogs (named Pepi and Reni) that belonged to his sister Cassie.

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

    Alice (Baker) Power’s Diary: February 1947

    And now, let’s see what’s happening down in East Jeddore in February 1947. Sounds like there’s some sickness going around.

    Saturday February 1, 1947:
    I had my work
    all done and
    cleaned up before dinner

    Sunday February 2, 1947:
    Fred and Edna
    here for supper

    Monday February 3, 1947:
    I started my fourth
    mat this is the
    last for this year

    Tuesday February 4, 1947:
    (Little Rob’s birthday) Ralph Elsie and
    Edna here tonight
    I was hooking

    Wednesday February 5, 1947:
    No snow or no
    hauling so far this
    winter

    Thursday February 6, 1947:
    Edna down and
    made Ice Cream
    for us

    Friday February 7, 1947:
    Hon came home
    on Bus tonight
    finished my fourth mat

    Saturday February 8, 1947:
    Bless the Lord
    oh my soul
    Bless his holy name

    Sunday February 9, 1947:
    Hon up to Annas
    Ralph + Elsie here tonight

    Monday February 10, 1947:
    I washed and
    ironed Electric light
    man here. Bill was 268

    Tuesday February 11, 1947:
    Hon gone back on the
    Bus. Anna gone in
    for her teeth

    Wednesday February 12, 1947:
    Oh what peace we often
    forfeit

    Thursday February 13, 1947:
    Earl and I up to Edna
    for supper
    I made Hons baby clothes

    Friday February 14, 1947:
    Fulton here hauling
    hardly any snow

    Saturday February 15, 1947:
    Fult gone home
    just hauled 1 ½ days
    cost us 9 dollars.

    Sunday February 16, 1947:
    Bud down Dr. Wilson
    went asleep and got
    20 teeth out

    Monday February 17, 1947:
    He wept that we may weep
    each sin demands a tear In heaven
    alone. no sin is found and there no weeping
    there.

    Tuesday February 18, 1947:
    I washed Earl put
    clothes out. I have
    Bronchitis so bad

    Wednesday February 19, 1947:
    Bud and I have
    awful bad colds
    his gums are paining.

    Thursday February 20, 1947:
    Earl + I up to Roses
    Earl painted green + yellow
    on the Boat Bud isn’t well

    Friday February 21, 1947:
    Snowing + raining
    Bud and I have
    bad colds

    Saturday February 22, 1947:
    Let your lower lights be burning
    send a gleam across the
    wave

    Sunday February 23, 1947:
    Mason here for supper
    I dont feel well have
    a bad cold + bronchitis

    Monday February 24, 1947:
    a big snow storm
    12 inches down now
    teams hauling tomorrow

    Tuesday February 25, 1947:
    Bless me oh my Saviour Bless
    me, As I bow low at
    thy feet

    Wednesday February 26, 1947:
    Fulton hauling
    for us today
    lots of snow down

    Thursday February 27, 1947:
    Ralph finished hauling
    helped Fulton haul
    for us this after noon

    Friday February 28, 1947:
    Fulton finished hauling
    our wood. 22 loads
    cost 24 dollars

  • Photo Post #25 | Oyster Pond United Church

    Photo Post #25 | Oyster Pond United Church

    Here is a photo of the old Oyster Pond United Church in Oyster Pond, Nova Scotia. I don’t recall ever having been inside it, but there are at least two significant family events that happened in this church.

    My parents were married here in 1971. And, my Grandad’s (Alan Mills) funeral was held here January 24, 1995. Most of his ashes are buried with his mother Arabella in the church cemetery.

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

    Alice (Baker) Power’s Diary: January 1947

    And now, let’s see what’s happening down in East Jeddore in January 1947. It’s a new year and it looks like my great-grandmother is sure busy making mats.

    Wednesday January 1, 1947:
    New Year’s Day
    Lord guide and keep us
    forgive our many sins
    May we all love and serve thee more

    Thursday January 2, 1947:
    Alan, Rose, and family
    were down with Otis
    yesterday New Year’s

    Friday January 3, 1947:
    Ralph + Elsie here for dinner
    We were down there
    tonight (snowing)

    Saturday January 4, 1947:
    When upon life’s billows you are tempest
    tossed and you’re discouraged thinking
    all is lost, count your many blessings

    Sunday January 5, 1947:
    Mr. Jim Chase brought
    Olive home today.
    Alan + Ralph here for dinner.

    Monday January 6, 1947:
    I finished my first mat
    this winter Fred here
    for dinner about 2 inches of snow

    Tuesday January 7, 1947:
    Earl & Bud started
    to chop our fire wood
    down on Ralph’s land

    Wednesday January 8, 1947:
    Oh what peace we often forfeit
    oh what needles pain we
    bear.

    Thursday January 9, 1947:
    Olive and I hooking
    some on my second
    mat this winter

    Friday January 10, 1947:
    I am safe when by
    thy side. I would in thy
    love abide

    Saturday January 11, 1947:
    Coldest night
    roads awfull icy and
    snowed some today
    Ralph up tonight

    Sunday January 12, 1947:
    Olive + Robbie down
    to Elsies. came
    home for supper

    Monday January 13, 1947:
    I washed and got
    clothes dry
    a nice cold fine day

    Tuesday January 14, 1947:
    Ralph walked out to
    the channel on ice
    Earl got 2 rabbits

    Wednesday January 15, 1947:
    I finished my second mat.
    raining tonight

    Thursday January 16, 1947:
    Saviour like a shepherd
    lead us. Much we need thy tender care

    Friday January 17, 1947:
    Olive washed
    this morning. gone up to Annas afternoon

    Saturday January 18, 1947:
    Olive + Robbie up to
    Ednas this after
    noon

    Sunday January 19, 1947:
    Mr Jim Chase came
    after Olive + Robbie
    they went back 2 oclock

    Monday January 20, 1947:
    I have a bad cold
    in my throat and
    chest.

    Tuesday January 21, 1947:
    When we walk with
    the Lord what a
    light he shows on the way

    Wednesday January 22, 1947:
    Anna + Edna here
    hooking I got some
    tablets from the doctor

    Thursday January 23, 1947:
    There’s peace and
    contentment in
    serving the Lord

    Friday January 24, 1947:
    I had a letter
    from Hon today.

    Saturday January 25, 1947:
    Earl + Bud cutting
    fire wood down
    on Ralphs land.

    Sunday January 26, 1947:
    Lord you know my
    heart is weary I am
    tired of living wrong

    Monday January 27, 1947:
    I washed and
    ironed a fine day.

    Tuesday January 28, 1947:
    I started my third
    mat. a nice fine warm day

    Wednesday January 29, 1947:
    Anna, Edna, + Elsie here hooking for me
    Ralph + Uncle Rob here

    Thursday January 30, 1947:
    Earl + I up to Ednas
    tonight. awfull
    cold out no snow

    Friday January 31, 1947:
    Bless me oh my Saviour
    bless me. As I bow
    low at thy feet

  • Christmas Memories by Hazel Finch

    Below is a piece that originally appeared in the Brantford Expositor on December 1, 1992. It was written by my Grandma Hazel (Vansickle) Finch. She shares her Christmas memories as a child, a mother, and grandmother. Click the photo to view the original size. Enjoy.

  • Photo Post #24 | Erick and Hazel (Vansickle) Finch

    Photo Post #24 | Erick and Hazel (Vansickle) Finch

    In honour of my Grandma Hazel Aileen (Vansickle) Finch, who died 30 years ago, I am posting a familiar picture of my paternal grandparents. The photo- taken to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary – is easily the photo I most often associate with Grandma and Grandpa Finch.

    As a child, I remember this photo being prominently displayed in the dining room at their house in Harrisburg (in Brant County) along with pictures of each of their children’s families – my aunts and uncles and cousins…and me too, of course. I used to always like looking at everyone in those pictures whenever we would visit.

    Grandma died unexpectedly on December 20, 1993. It made for a rather sad Christmas, and I recall the somewhat sombre sound of the odd Christmas song being played at the funeral home in Brantford during her public viewing. I still have the present I bought for my grandmother for Christmas that year (oven mitts and a pot holder); I’ve kept them all these years.

    RIP.

  • James C. Finch pledges support to Ranald McKinnon

    James C. Finch pledges support to Ranald McKinnon

    Finding your ancestors in the newspaper is exciting. It can give you a glimpse into their lives and adds to their story. I came across this piece originally published in the Hamilton Spectator on December 10, 1857 (Source: The Hamilton Spectator, December 10, 1857, page 7.)

    Here, my third great grandfather James C. Finch is listed amongst other men of Haldimand County as supporters of Ranald McKinnon, requesting him to run in the upcoming provincial election. The Haldimand riding was ultimately won by William Lyon Mackenzie of rebel fame.

    Ranald McKinnon is considered the “founder” of Caledonia and his name is still prominent in the area. By seeing James C. Finch’s name on the list supporting McKinnon, who was a conservative, I can now make the reasonable assumption that my third great grandfather had conservative political leanings, as well.