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Category: Genealogy

  • Alice (Baker) Power’s Diary: March 1948

    Alice (Baker) Power’s Diary: March 1948

    Now let’s see what’s going on down in East Jeddore in March 1948. Spring has sprung. The fishing boat has been launched. But, sadly there’s been a death in the family. Here is a transcription of my great grandmother Alice (Baker) Power’s diary for the month. Click here to view the original diary.

    Monday March 1, 1948:
    a awfull cold day
    I washed Earl put
    the cloths out

    Tuesday March 2, 1948:
    Earl helped Hall
    put ice in the shed
    this after noon

    Wednesday March 3, 1948:
    We got our order from
    Eatons a big snow
    storm Len here for dinner

    Thursday March 4, 1948:
    Earl helping Hall
    put ice in today
    Fulton Baker sawing for Dick

    Friday March 5, 1948:
    Awfull cold night
    Coldest this year
    our pump froze tonight

    Saturday March 6, 1948:
    Coldest last night
    this year our pump froze
    up in the pipe

    Sunday March 7, 1948:
    Edna + Robbie here for dinner
    Mason, Ralph + Elsie here
    for supper A fine day

    Monday March 8, 1948:
    I cleaned the Ceiling
    in the Kitchen today
    raining and snowing

    Tuesday March 9, 1948:
    I washed and
    painted the Windows
    up stairs today

    Wednesday March 10, 1948:
    Break thou the bread of
    life. Dear Lord to me

    Thursday March 11, 1948:
    I papered over head
    in Buds room
    and cleaned today

    Friday March 12, 1948:
    Earl Ralph and I painted
    over head in the
    Hall today

    Saturday March 13, 1948:
    Bud and Arth gone
    in town this
    afternoon

    Sunday March 14, 1948:
    We are alone today
    Ross Arnold here this
    afternoon Marshall Baker
    came out with Bud

    Monday March 15, 1948:
    I washed and
    papered the back
    room today

    Tuesday March 16, 1948:
    Winter has broke today
    I papered my bed
    room. a rainy day

    Wednesday March 17, 1948:
    Snow most all gone
    I cleaned the
    pantry today

    Thursday March 18, 1948:
    I painted the Window
    in pantry and bedroom
    Earl + Bud painted Boat

    Friday March 19, 1948:
    Earl + Bud
    finished painting
    the gasoline boat

    Saturday March 20, 1948:
    I am not very well
    Earl over to Browns
    in the Batto

    Sunday March 21, 1948:
    Mason + Edna here
    tonight. raining
    when they left

    Monday March 22, 1948:
    Fulton Baker finished
    sawing for Ralph 3 hrs + 50 mins
    cost 6 dollars Sawed Robs after
    dinner

    Tuesday March 23, 1948:
    Harp sawed our wood
    with Halls machine
    3 hrs and 5 minutes cost 3.25

    Wednesday March 24, 1948:
    I painted ceiling in the
    room. finished spliting
    our firewood 2 days spliting

    Thursday March 25, 1948:
    Just as I am with out
    one plea. But that thy
    Blood was shed for me

    Friday March 26, 1948:
    Nettie died 1 AM
    Rose Alan + family here
    all day. got the fishing
    bounty $8.95 + 7.95

    Saturday March 27, 1948:
    George Power here for
    dinner a rainy
    day. digging Netties grave

    Sunday March 28, 1948:
    Easter
    Poor Nettie is buryied
    today. Bud helping
    dig the grave Ralph here

    Monday March 29, 1948:
    I papered the living
    room today Ralph
    + Elsie here

    Tuesday March 30, 1948:
    Bless the Lord oh my soul
    And all that is within me
    Bless his holy name

    Wednesday March 31, 1948:
    Earl launched the
    Boat. I painted
    the cupboard

  • Alice (Baker) Power’s Diary: February 1948

    Alice (Baker) Power’s Diary: February 1948

    Now let’s see what’s going on down in East Jeddore in February 1948. Here is a transcription of my great grandmother Alice (Baker) Power’s diary for the month. Click here to view the original diary.

    Sunday February 1, 1948:
    Ralph, Elsie Edna
    and children here
    for supper We were up to
    Ednas tonight

    Monday February 2, 1948:
    I washed and ironed
    Pop here tonight
    We played dominoes

    Tuesday February 3, 1948:
    Lord forgive us our
    many sins. lead us in
    thy ways of living

    Wednesday February 4, 1948:
    Dear Robs birthday
    30 years today.
    How well I Remember

    Thursday February 5, 1948:
    Ralph here for tea
    Uncle Lorne hauled
    his fence posts

    Friday February 6, 1948:
    Ralph + Elsie here
    for a lunch
    Hall in tonight

    Saturday February 7, 1948:
    Praise him Praise him
    Jesus our blessed
    Redemer

    Sunday February 8, 1948:
    Fred here for a lunch
    Pop and Ralph
    here tonight

    Monday February 9, 1948:
    I washed a cold
    day 1 below zero
    Pop here tonight

    Tuesday February 10, 1948:
    Electric light man
    here our Bill was
    $2.54 a cold day

    Wednesday February 11, 1948:
    draw me nearer nearer
    Blessed Lord to the cross
    where thou has died

    Thursday February 12, 1948:
    Snow plough down tonight
    Bud got 3 birds
    Ralph got 2 Black ducks
    Snow plough down tonight

    Friday February 13, 1948:
    Bud down helping Doug
    Mitchell haul Wavies fire
    wood. We were up to Ednas tonight

    Saturday February 14, 1948:
    Doris here for dinner
    a big rain storm
    Ralph + Pop here tonight

    Sunday February 15, 1948:
    Cold today
    Bud came home with
    Arth dinner time was
    down Wavies all night

    Monday February 16, 1948:
    Just as I am without one plea
    But that thy blood was shed for me
    And that thou bids me come to thee
    oh lamb of God I come I come

    Tuesday February 17, 1948:
    The 15 was coldest
    night 24 below zero
    our pump froze up

    Wednesday February 18, 1948:
    Saviour like a shepherd
    lead us. Much we
    need thy tender care

    Thursday February 19, 1948:
    Ralph + Elsie here
    for supper. Pop here
    tonight

    Friday February 20, 1948:
    Raining. Enos here
    Bud gone down to
    Wavies

    Saturday February 21, 1948:
    Rosie + Boots came down
    with Uncle Will
    Doris and Rosie + Boots
    stayed over night

    Sunday February 22, 1948:
    Alan + Rose + children
    down in horse + sleigh
    Bud down to Wavies yet

    Monday February 23, 1948:
    Bud came up forsupper went right
    back again to Wavies

    Tuesday February 24, 1948:
    Anna Ralph + Elsie
    here for supper
    Pop here tonight

    Wednesday February 25, 1948:
    Break thou the bread
    of life Dear Lord
    to me

    Thursday February 26, 1948:
    Earl and I up to
    Masons to supper
    Edna + Mason here tonight

    Friday February 27, 1948:
    Earl got me some juniper
    I made some beer
    Hall hauling for Emerson

    Saturday February 28, 1948:
    The Lord is my shepherd
    I’ll not want

  • Finch Electric Ad in the Brantford Expositor

    Finch Electric Ad in the Brantford Expositor

    My paternal grandfather E. Clifford Finch was a plumber and electrician. I previously shared a photo of his truck. Well, here is an advertisement for Finch Electric that appeared in the Brantford Expositor on March 4, 1960. The same ad actually ran for several days.

    The ad is for McDougall pumps. There was an R. McDougall Co. Ltd. out of nearby Galt, which I believe is the company that manufactured these pumps among other equipment. Finch Electric was one of the companies in Brant County to sell and service their pumps.

  • Alice (Baker) Power’s Diary: January 1948

    Now let’s see what’s going on down in East Jeddore in January 1948. They’ve been rather busy hauling fire wood. The weather seems somewhat miserable. And, there’s been a death in the family: John Arnold (he was my great grandfather Earl Power’s first cousin). Here is a transcription of my great grandmother Alice (Baker) Power’s diary for the month. Click here to view the original diary.

    Thursday January 1, 1948:
    Lord lift me up. And let
    me stand, By faith; on
    Heavens table land

    Friday January 2, 1948:
    Ralph + Mason got 4 Birds
    yesterday. Arth, Albert
    and George gone in the Woods

    Saturday January 3, 1948:
    Enos finished hauling his
    firewood out yesterday
    22 loads cost him 18 dollars

    Sunday January 4, 1948:
    Earl + I up to Edna’s
    for supper, Mason + Edna
    here this evening

    Monday January 5, 1948:
    Earl + Bud started cutting
    their firewood down on
    Ralphs land cut 3 loads

    Tuesday January 6, 1948:
    Bud stayed away all night
    Earl choping firewood alone
    about 30 inches snow down

    Wednesday January 7, 1948:
    Bless me, oh my Saviour, bless me
    As I bow low at thy feet, oh look
    down in love upon me. Let me see
    thy face so sweet

    Thursday January 8, 1948:
    I put my 2nd mat
    in today. Mason here
    for supper Pop here tonight

    Friday January 9, 1948:
    Ralph gave us another
    bird I dont feel very well
    Bud gone down to Wavies

    Saturday January 10, 1948:
    Peace Peace sweet peace
    Wonderful gift from above

    Sunday January 11, 1948:
    As he which as called us is
    holy so be ye holy in
    all conversation Peter 1-15

    Monday January 12, 1948:
    Ralph + Elsie here for
    supper. Fulton hauled
    us 2 loads wood

    Tuesday January 13, 1948:
    a big rain storm
    no hauling now
    Edna here hooking

    Wednesday January 14, 1948:
    finished my second
    mat this year
    a big rain storm

    Thursday January 15, 1948:
    Elsie and Ralph
    here for supper started
    my third mat

    Friday January 16, 1948:
    Anna down this
    afternoon. Mason gave us a bird

    Saturday January 17, 1948:
    Fulton hauled us 7
    loads today. We have
    9 loads out now

    Sunday January 18, 1948:
    Doris and Wilson here
    for dinner Arth came
    home for week end

    Monday January 19, 1948:
    God so loved the world that
    he gave his only son. Who ever
    believes on him shall be saved

    Tuesday January 20, 1948:
    I finished my third
    mat. and put in
    fourth mat today

    Wednesday January 21, 1948:
    Believe on the Lord
    and tho shall be saved
    and thy whole house

    Thursday January 22, 1948:
    Saviour of all lead me
    lest I stray, keep me
    safe in thy own way

    Friday January 23, 1948:
    Blessed are they who
    mourn for they shall
    be comforted

    Saturday January 24, 1948:
    I had a letter from Hon
    today. Mason + Edna
    here this evening

    Sunday January 25, 1948:
    Earl and I were down
    to Ralphs they came
    up for supper Pop here tonight

    Monday January 26, 1948:
    Fulton hauling for
    us. I washed ironed
    and hooked on my mat

    Tuesday January 27, 1948:
    finished our hauling
    18 loads cost 20 dollars
    John Arnold died 5 AM

    Wednesday January 28, 1948:
    finished my fourth
    mat last one this
    winter had a letter from Olive

    Thursday January 29, 1948:
    John Arnold funeral
    Uncle Lorne finished
    Ralphs fire wood

    Friday January 30, 1948:
    Coldest day
    Ralph here this afternoon
    Pop here tonight
    Bud got a smoked fished from Hall

    Saturday January 31, 1948:
    Oh look down in love
    upon me, let me see thy
    face so sweet

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

    Now let’s see what’s going on down in East Jeddore in December 1947. Sales of fish are brisk. The men are catching plenty of birds. And, there’s lots of snow and a White Christmas. Here is a transcription of my great grandmother Alice (Baker) Power’s diary for the month. Click here to view the original diary.

    DECEMBER 1947

    Monday December 1, 1947: I washed and ironed a lovely fine day. Elsie + Ralph for supper.

    Tuesday December 2, 1947: When the storms of life are raging, I will seek a place of refuge in God’s home.

    Wednesday December 3, 1947: Earl out side never got anything Ralph got 11.75 sold fresh

    Thursday December 4, 1947: Earl out fishing got $8.70 sold fresh Ralph + Bud got $21.30.

    Friday December 5, 1947: Awfull cold 2 below zero. Arth gone out to find the old scow*

    Saturday December 6, 1947: Earl outside never got any fish Blowing to hard

    Sunday December 7, 1947: Uncle Len (?) here for dinner. Earl got 3 rabbits

    Monday December 8, 1947: I made my Xmas cakes. Edna + Mason here this evening

    Tuesday December 9, 1947: Ralph + Elsie here for supper. Ralph got a deer

    Wednesday December 10, 1947: Has he not promised to give me Strength for the toils of the day

    Thursday December 11, 1947: Ralph + Bud had $24.60 fresh fish. Earl had $19.75 today.

    Friday December 12, 1947: Ralph and Bud got 12 dollars fresh fish Earl got $2__

    Saturday December 13, 1947: Dot and Alfred came over. Ralph gave me a duck

    Sunday December 14, 1947: a fine cold NW wind We have a duck and deer meat baked

    Monday December 15, 1947: I washed and ironed Hon called me from town Coming home

    Tuesday December 16, 1947: Hon came home on the Bus tonight a awfull rainy evening

    Wednesday December 17, 1947: Arth took us all up to Roses and Eb Dayes

    Thursday December 18, 1947: Arth took Hon in town today Bud + Elsie gone in to

    Friday December 19, 1947: Xmas concert up the school a lovely fine evening

    Saturday December 20, 1947: Earl outside after ducks never got any Ralph got 4 birds

    Sunday December 21, 1947: Earl + I down to Ralphs they came up with us Mason + Edna down tonight

    Monday December 22, 1947: I washed and ironed not a very good drying day Ralph Mason + Bud got 15 Birds Tuesday

    Tuesday December 23, 1947: hauled Ralphs + our boat up Lord they tell me you are able to deliver and give peace

    Wednesday December 24, 1947: Big snow storm about 12 inches down now Worst storm this yr

    Thursday December 25, 1947: Alan Rose + family her for dinner Ralph Elsie + Enos here for supper Mason + Edna here tonight

    Friday December 26, 1947: Mail never got down Anna here for supper Harpell hauled his Boat up Uncle Rob landing his boat.

    Saturday December 27, 1947: Ralph + Bud, Mason were out side Tuesday they got 16 Birds Tuesday

    Sunday December 28, 1947: 2 ft snow down now Mail never got down same Wednesday Edna here for dinner

    Monday December 29, 1947: Snow plough down Ralph Jennex brought mail down 3 days mail

    Tuesday December 30, 1947: Bud, Arth and Brenton Hopkins in town over night a fine day

    Wednesday December 31, 1947: Forgive our many sins and mistakes of this year Lead us in thy ways of righteousness

    Memorandum

    1947: A White Xmas 2 ft of snow Rob hauled his Boat up over to Halls the 27th in a snow storm

    * A scow is a wide-beamed sailing dinghy, a smaller type of barge, ideal for navigating shallow waters.

  • Photo Post #37 | Stephen Harold Baker

    Photo Post #37 | Stephen Harold Baker

    Here is a photo of Stephen Harold Baker. He was my mother’s first cousin, the son of Edna Power and Mason Baker. I hadn’t seen a picture of him until my second cousin Joyce sent me this one. Sadly, Stephen died in a motorcycle accident on September 7, 1976. He was only 20 years old.

    It had to have been an incredibly trying time for my great aunt Edna (we called her Aunt Poode). Her father (my great grandfather) Earl Power had died the day earlier on September 6th. Within the span of just four days, she lost and buried both her father and her youngest son.

    Aunt Poode was certainly the most religious of her siblings as far as I can tell and recall. No doubt it was her faith that helped her through this difficult time.

    Stephen H Baker obituary, Halifax Chronicle Herald, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 9 September 1976, page 29.
    The Halifax Chronicle Herald, 8 September 1976, page 3.

  • Four Members of the Mitchell Family Lost in Halifax Explosion

    Four Members of the Mitchell Family Lost in Halifax Explosion

    December the Sixth is a sombre anniversary. On December 6, 1917, almost 1,800 people were killed and another 9,000 were injured in the Halifax Explosion. The catastrophic accident occured when two ships – the Mont-Blanc and the Imo – collided in the Halifax Harbour. The Mont-Blanc, carrying TNT on board, caught fire and ultimately exploded. The devastating blast was felt as far away as Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island.

    Among the dead were four members of the Mitchell family of Oyster Pond Jeddore. Lost were Mary “Minnie” (Dooks) Mitchell, wife of Colin Peter Mitchell, and three of their children: Reginald, Aletha, and Mary. They were living in Halifax at the time. In the days following the disaster Halifax newspapers ran lists of the victims as they were identified and buried. The Mitchell family appears on the list below (towards the bottom). They were buried at the St John’s Anglican Cemetery in Oyster Pond.

    Source: The Halifax Evening Mail, 24 December 1917, page 8.

    My Mom would always remind me of the Halifax Explosion on the anniversary of the disaster. She knew the story well. Let us remember all those who lost their lives on that fateful day many years ago.

  • Photo Post #36 | Thomas Edward Mills

    Photo Post #36 | Thomas Edward Mills

    To commemorate Remembrance Day, this week’s photo is of my great-grandfather Thomas Edward Mills.

    He was born on August 1, 1872 in Liverpool, England (his birth name was actually Albert), the son of Frederick Mills and Alice Lyon. The family lived at 17 Summer Seat.

    In the 1890s he immigrated to Nova Scotia and settled in the Shubenacadie/Gays River area where he met my great-grandmother Arabella (Mitchell) Greenough, who was teaching in the area at the time. They married in 1902 and had six children.

    My grandad Alan Mills was the youngest and was born in September 1915. At the time of his birth, his father was in Valcartier, Quebec having joined the 40th Batallion (Nova Scotia) Canadian Expeditionary Force earlier that year.

    On September 5, 1916, Thomas Edward Mills died in battle in France at the age of 44, having never met my grandad. He is buried at the Courcelette British Cemetery.

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

    Alice (Baker) Power’s Diary: November 1947

    Now let’s see what’s going on down in East Jeddore in November 1947. Here is a transcription of my great grandmother Alice (Baker) Power’s diary for the month. Click here to view the original diary.

    NOVEMBER 1947

    Saturday November 1, 1947: 11 Bbl gas | Earls 11 Bbl of gas Earl + I down to Freds tonight

    Sunday November 2, 1947: We were up to Roses in the Boat a fine day

    Monday November 3, 1947: I cleaned over head and around the walls today

    Tuesday November 4, 1947: I papered the kitchen and am awfull tired tonight

    Wednesday November 5, 1947: I painted around the windows and mouldings

    Thursday November 6, 1947: I cleaned the inside cupboard and washed all Bureau scarfs

    Friday November 7, 1947: I cleaned up living room and Baked today

    Saturday November 8, 1947: God so loved the world that He gave his only Son Who’s ever believeth in him Shall have eternal life

    Sunday November 9, 1947: A Big wind and rain storm  Ralph + Pop here his evening

    Monday November 10, 1947: I washed not a very good drying day

    Tuesday November 11, 1947: Earl got a rabbit first this year. Ralph got his second deer

    Wednesday November 12, 1947: Jesus is the rock in a weary land. A shelter in the time of storm

    Thursday November 13, 1947: (The ink is faded; I can’t make out this entry. – RF)

    Friday November 14, 1947: Ralph + Elsie here for supper. A nice fine day

    Saturday November 15, 1947: Ralph + Elsie gone to Enfield for the week end Earl + I up to Ednas

    Sunday November 16, 1947: Earl + I alone Bud up to Oyster Pond for the week end

    Monday November 17, 1947: Earl + Bud got 3 Bbls Mackerl between them 21.50 a BBl

    Tuesday November 18, 1947: Steal away Steal away Steal away home to Jesus for I havent long to stay here

    Wednesday November 19, 1947: Earl outside and brought his nets home they had 3 Bbls this fall

    Thursday November 20, 1947: Earl outside never caught any fish Bud wasnt out

    Friday November 21, 1947: Ralph + Mason out side after Birds they got 11 Ralph gave us 2

    Saturday November 22, 1947: Ralph + Bud out side they got 18 dollars worth fish sold fresh

    Sunday November 23, 1947: Forgive my sins I do confess to thee And forgive my secret sins I do not see

    Monday November 24, 1947: I washed clothes never dryed froze on the line

    Tuesday November 25, 1947: What a friend we have in Jesus All our sins and griefs to bear

    Wednesday November 26, 1947: Ralph + Elsie here for supper. We were up to Ednas tonight

    Thursday November 27, 1947: If we walk with the Lord in the light of his word what a glory He sheds on the way

    Friday November 28, 1947: Earl out side alone got 12.75 Bud + Ralph out together got 18.00

    Saturday November 29, 1947: Alan Rose + family down this morning in the horse went home 2 oclock

    Sunday November 30, 1947: first snow storm this year I picked a bunch of flowers this AM

  • Photo Post #35 | Vansickle siblings & spouses

    Photo Post #35 | Vansickle siblings & spouses

    (L-R) Gordon & Edna (Vansickle) Wilson, Herbert & Hazel (Vansickle) Fair, Harley & Phyllis (Reed) Vansickle, Harris & Marie (Fonger) Vansickle, and Allan & Ella (Young) Vansickle

    Here is a photo of my great grandfather Allan Vansickle (back row on the right) along with his siblings and their spouses. My great grandmother Ella May Young is sitting in front of him.

    A note on the back of the photo indicates that the picture was taken at a Vansickle family picnic.