Obituary: Richard Groves, 1895

From the Ottawa Citizen, Monday 7 December 1895, p. 6:

(click to enlarge)

DEATH OF RICHARD GROVES

-----

One of the Oldest and Best Known Men of the Ottawa District

      Richard Groves, one of the oldest and most respected residents of Carleton county, died at the residence of his son, Dr. Geo. H. Groves, of Carp, yesterday.
      Deceased, who was in his 83rd year, was born in Ireland.  He came to Canada when quite young and settled in the township of Fitzroy.  Until about eight years ago he followed agricultural pursuits with an enviable degree of success.  Then he sold his farm and took up his residence at Carp.  Three years ago his wife died, and he went to live with his son, Dr. Geo. H.  He was a staunch Conservative and a member of the Methodist Church.
      He leaves five sons, three daughters and many grand children.  His sons are Dr. Geo. H. Groves, of Carp; Dr. Wesley Groves, of Quyon; Wm. Groves, of Kinburn; Richard Groves, of Fitzroy Harbour, and John T. Groves, of Cincinnati.  Deceased's dauhgters [sic] are Mrs. James Baird, of Fitzroy; Mrs. B. Hodgins, of Huntley, and Mrs. W. Green, of Mohr's Corners.  Two grand children live in the city.  They are W. E. Groves and F. S. Groves.
      The funeral takes place to-morrow morning to Pakenham cemetery.

Obituary: Mrs. Thomas Hodgins, 1903

From the Ottawa Citizen, Thursday 12 November 1903, p. 9:

(click to enlarge)

ENTERED INTO REST

      Carp, Nov. 6 -- Mrs. Thomas Hodgins, relict of the late Thomas Hodgins, of the 10th line, Fitzroy, died at her residence on Wednesday, Nov. 5th.  She was one of the oldest residents of the township, being in her 86th year.  Her husband, one of the pioneer and respected farmers of the township, died five years ago.  The late Mrs. Hodgins, whose maiden name was Hodgins, came to Canada in 1834, with family, and resided at Prescott until 1837 when with other members of the family she moved to Fitzroy where she afterwards met Thomas Hodgins and became his wife in 1839.  They settled on the farm where she died.  She leaves four sons, Michael, of Stittsville, Benjamin, of Huntley, Richard of Fitzroy, and William George, on the homestead and two daughters, Mrs. John Lewis, of Hintonburg, and Mrs. George Hamilton, of Fitzroy Harbor. [sic]  The funeral on Friday which was very large, proceeded to the Methodist church at Diamond where Rev. Mr. Pimlott, the pastor, preached an eloquent sermon.  Interment took place in the church yard adjoining.  Amongst the chief mourners were three sons and Dr. Wesley Groves, Quyon, P.Q., and Dr. Geo. H. Groves, Carp, nephews of the deceased.  One son, Benjamin Hodgins, who had taken care of his mother since his father died, was unable to be present owing to a most serious illness.

~~~~~  *  ~~~~~  *  ~~~~~

Obituary: Margaret A. (Story) Ritchie, 1938

From the Ottawa Citizen, Tuesday 25 January 1938, p. 2:

(click to enlarge)

MRS. MARGARET RITCHIE

      PAKENHAM, Jan. 25. -- Attended by many friends and acquaintances, the funeral of Mrs. Margaret Ritchie, resident of this district all her life, and widow of John J. Ritchie, was held on Staurday afternoon at two o'clock from the Comba funeral home, Almonte.  Rev. Mr. Turner, minister of Pakenham United church, conducted the service.  Interment was in Pakenham United church cemetery.

      Mrs. Ritchie, who was in her 80th year, died on Thursday afternoon at Almonte Memorial hospital following a short illness.  Daughter of the late Robert Story and his wife, Margaret Johnston, she was formerly Margaret Ann Story.  She came to Pakenham to live 55 years ago following her marriage to John J. Ritchie, who predeceased her five years ago.  She was a devoted member of Pakenham United church for many years.

      Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. (Dr.) E. Busby, London, Ont., and Miss Leata Ritchie, at home; on son, Ira Ritchie, at home; two brothers, E. S. Story, Fitzroy township, and Frederick W. Story, Vancouver; and one sister, Mrs. D. Anderson, Calgary.

      Acting as pallbearers at the funeral were six nephews, Morton Ritchie, Cecil Ritchie, Wilbur Ritchie, Gordon Story, Ivan Story and George Story.  A host of floral tributes and messages of sympathy testified to the esteem in which the late Mrs. Ritchie was held.

~~~~~  *  ~~~~~  *  ~~~~~

Margaret was the daughter of Robert Story (who was the son of John Story and Margaret Latimer) and Margaret Johnston.  She was thus the niece of my gggg-grandfather, David (who was the brother of Robert and son of John).  Her husband John J. Ritchie died in 1932.

Obituary: Jane Story, 1947

From the Ottawa Citizen, Saturday August 9, 1947, p. 2:

(click to enlarge)

Miss Jane Story Dies In Kinburn

      KINBURN, Aug. 9. -- (Special) -- One of Kinburn's oldest residents, Miss. Jane Story died in the Rosamond memorial hospital in her 88th year.
      She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. David Story, pioneers of Fitzroy township.
      Surviving is one brother George, and one sister Catherine Story of Kinburn and several nephews and nieces.  The funeral will be held on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home of her brother George Story to St. John's Anglican church, Antrim.  Interment will be in St. Mark's cemetery, Pakenham.  Rev. P. Caiger-Watson will officiate.

~~~~~  *  ~~~~~  *  ~~~~~

Jane was the daughter of David Story and Jane Needham.  Her older sister, Elizabeth (Story) Grainger, was my ggg-grandmother.

Obituary: John Ritchie, 1932

From the Ottawa Citizen, Tuesday October 25, 1932, p. 2:

(click to enlarge)

Famous Riverman

John Ritchie, Dies

-----

Was Outstanding in Valley For Half Century.  Ottawa Sister Survives.

-----

Special to The Evening Citizen.

      ARNPRIOR. Oct. 25. -- Word was received her today of the death in Temiskaming, Que., on Monday of John J. Ritchie, aged 78, widely known and vetern Ottawa Valley riverman.  He had been ill in a Temiskaming hospital for about five weeks previous to his demise.
      The late Mr. Ritchie was one of the best known men in the river phases of Ottawa Valley lumbering operations.  In the summer of 1929 he accepted superannuation after being for 52 years in the service of the Upper Ottawa Improvement Company and the Old Union Forwarding Company.
      For 49 of those years he was boom master at the Schneaux and his efficient overseeing of the major operations there made of him an invaluable employe [sic].  On his superannuation in 1928, he could not leave the river and went to Temiskaming to live with a son, Minor Ritchie, who held the post of boom master in that northern town.
      The body will be brought to his late home in Pakenham township and the funeral will be on Thursday afternoon.
      The late Mr. Ritchie was born in Fitzroy township.  He was married to Miss. Margaret Story who survives, as do two sons and two daughters, Ira Ritchie, Pakenham; Minor S. Ritchie, Temiskaming, Que.; Miss. Leata Ritchie, Pakenham; and Mrs. Dr. Busby, London, Ont.  Surviving also are one brother and two sisters, James Ritchie, Mrs. Joseph McQuade, of Almonte, and Mrs. H. S. Dowd, of Ottawa.

~~~~~  *  ~~~~~  *  ~~~~~

John's wife Margaret A. Story (1856-1938) was the daughter of Robert Story (who was, in turn, the son of John Story and Margaret Latimer) and Margaret Johnston, and thus, Margaret was the niece of my gggg-grandfather, David Story.  Both she and John are buried in Pakenham Union Cemetery, Pakenham twp., Lanark co., Ontario, Canada.

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy: Week 6 - The Result...

A wordle of this week's post (click to enlarge)

Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog presents "52 Weeks To Better Genealogy", a series of weekly genealogy prompts/suggestions/exercises that (hopefully) help you to become a better researcher.

This week's (#6) challenge dealt with the exploration of your local public library's online database(s).

Since I work for my local public library, and have used our databases (both genealogical and non) to assist others, I'm afraid I slacked on this challenge a little. ;-)  To access the databases, you simply click on Online Resources, and one of the subject headings listed on that page is Genealogy.  There are four databases under this:

Ancestry Library Edition
Description: Ancestry.com is the number one online source for family history information, including the web's largest collection of historical records.

My Notes: Though our library subscribes to this Ancestry version, it is only available for use while actually in a library building (which sucks, but then how would Ancestry get their money's worth?!) and on a library computer. 

Oshawa Book of Remembrance
Description: Online version of the Book of Remembrance, dedicated to preserving the memory of those from the Oshawa region who served and gave their lives in WWI and WWII. 

My Notes: Each entry provides a picture of the soldier, his rank and full name, birth date and place, death date and place, parents names, where the soldier went to school, and (occasionally) hobbies.  The original book is available in a glass case at the main branch of the library, where a new page is displayed everyday.  This database can be searched (divided by branch of service - Army, Navy, etc.) or browsed.

Oshawa Newspaper and Obituary Index
Description: An index to the Oshawa newspapers preserved on microfilm at the McLaughlin Branch of OPL. 

My Notes: Includes full name (as given in the source) of the individual, type of event and date, source (newspaper name) and date.  Obituary listings include the name of the cemetery.  Search (keywords, dates) only :-(

Toronto Star - Pages of the Past
Description: The digitized full-image version of the complete contents of the Toronto Star newspaper since 1894.  See below for my (short) exploration of this database.

My Notes: Listed under the subject of History are a further two resources:

Oshawa Full-Text Archive
Description: Check out our expanded Oshawa Full-Text Archive, a collection of materials providing a glimpse into Oshawa's past. 

My Notes: Various local history books and booklets that are kept in the library's local history collection and are not allowed to leave the library.  They have been digitized and organized by general subject headings (business, directories, education, clubs, local families, etc.).  Searchable within each document only.

Oshawa Images
Description: Take a look at our newest online collection, featuring intriguing images from Oshawa’s past.

My Notes: Includes a variety of images, ranging from portraits, street scenes, groups, and buildings.  Attached to each image is as much detail as known, copyright, history (if known), and holder.  Database also includes a rotating list of "Mystery" pictures.  Search (basic and advanced) only.

~~~~~  *  ~~~~~  *  ~~~~~

While the local resources are not (currently) of much use to me, I did go to the Pages of the Past database and do a couple brief searches. 

One of the sons of the Story clan - Frederick William - married an Wilhelmina Alexandra Robinson, daughter of Alexander Hamilton Robinson and Martha Jane MacFarlane, of Etobicoke, York co., Ontario, Canada.  Frederick and Wilhelmina, along with her mother, Martha, migrated to B.C.  I have an obituary for Martha (I also have Wilhelmina's) from a Vancouver paper, and while she died in B.C., she was buried with her husband and parental family in Etobicoke.  I decided to look up Martha's 1930 obituary in the Toronto Star, assuming, with the burial occuring in Etobicoke, there would have been a cross posting.  She died on Monday, February 10, 1930.  I found her in Friday, February 14th, page 33:

(click to enlarge)

Unfortunately, I was unable to locate a Toronto obituary (I have the Vancouver one) for her daughter, Wilhelmina Alexandra (Robinson) Story, who died on the last day of the year, December 31, 1951.  Nor was I able to find any mention of the death of Wilhelmina's husband, Frederick, on January 2, 1961 - though I did not expect to find anything for him, since he was not originally from the area.  However, when I tried a blanket search for just MacFarlane/McFarlane, beginning in 1894 (when the digitized version begins), I got a "No Results" screen (which is weird, since in Martha's obit, above, her father Alexande MacFarlane, is listed...)

Obituary: Robert E. Bishop

(click image to enlarge)

From the Ottawa Citizen, Monday February 16, 1959, p. 30:

Robert E. Bishop
KINBURN (Special) - A former Kinburn resident, Robert E. Bishop, died in a Drumheler, Alta. hospital recently.  He was 81.  He was the son of the late Edward Bishop and his wife the late Catherine Barber.  The farm known as the Bishop Farm, near Kinburn, is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. William Neil.  Interment was at Drumheller, Alta.

Catherine (Barber) Bishop was sister to my ggg-grandfather, Richard Barber...

Obituary: Catherine (Cameron) Stevenson

(click image to enlarge)

From the Ottawa Citizen, Monday March 14, 1927, p. 5:

MRS. C. CAMERON
(Special to The Citizen.)
SAND POINT, March 14 - There passed away on Wednesday a life-long resident of McNab in the person of Catherine Cameron, widow of the late George Stevenson.  The late Mrs. Stevenson was born on July 7th, 1849, the eldest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Cameron of White Lake.  She was married on December 31st, 1868, to George Stevenson, who pre-deceased her in February, 1923.  Their entire married life was spent on their farm three miles from Sand Point, known as Stevenson's Corners.  About six years ago they sold their farm, and lived a retired life.  In 1918 they celebrated the 50th anniversary of their marriage.  The late Mrs. Stevenson was the eldest daughter of a family of three girls and six boys, of whom four are living.  Duncan Cameron, of Providence Bay, Manitoulin Islands; Agnes Cameron, of McNab; Rev. John Cameron, of Massachusetts, and N. M. Cameron, of Cargill, Ont.  To the late Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson were born three children, Mrs. James Storie, of McNab; Miss. Katie Stevenson, Arnprior, and Mr. John C. Stevenson, of Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The funeral on Thursday afternoon was largely attended.  The funeral service at the home and grave were conducted by the Rev. E. P. H. King, of the Baptist church, Arnprior.

Obituary: Marjorie Evelyn (Ellis) Evans

(click image to enlarge)

From the Ottawa Citizen, Tuesday February 7, 1984, p. 27:

EVANS, Marjorie Evelyn
In hospital on Monday, February 6, 1984, Marjorie Evelyn Ellis; dearly beloved wife of Clifford Bates Evans.  Dearest mother of Elayne (Mrs. Ralph Carlson).  Dear sister of the late Frank Ellis, Clifford Ellis (Oakville) and Kenneth Ellis and loving nieces and nephews.  Friends may call at Hulse and Playfair, Central Chapel, 315 McLeod Street, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, February 8.  Funeral in the Chapel on Thursday, February 9, time to be announced.  Cremation Pinecrest Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers donations to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.

Obituary: Maude (Raycroft) Saunders

(click image to enlarge)

From the Ottawa Citizen, July 12, 1976, p. 22:

SAUNDERS, Maude
Suddenly at her residence, 2129 Knightsbridge on Saturday, July 10, 1976, Maude Raycroft, age 74 years; beloved wife of Lemuel Saunders and dear sister of Mrs. Christina Evans of Pakenham; Mrs. Orville Peever (Elizabeth) Arnprior and Mrs. Theresa Manary, Braeside.  Also survived by several nieces and nephews.  Resting the Tubman Funeral Home, 403 Richmond Rd. at Roosevelt.  Service in the Chapel Tuesday 2.30 p.m.  Interment Pinecrest Cemetery.

Maude's sister Christina was married to Richard Evans, who was an older brother of my great-grandmother, Lavina (Evans) Cameron.

Michael Barber's Death Notice

(click image to enlarge)

From the Ottawa Citizen, Friday April 29, 1955, p. 42: 

Died

BARBER, Michel James - At Kinburn, Ontario, on Friday, April 29, 1955.  Michel James Barber, beloved husband of Linda Grainger, in his 83rd year.  Resting at his home, Kinburn, Ontario.  Funeral service Sunday, May 1, 1955, at 2 p.m. to St. John's Anglican Church, Antrim.  Interment St. Mark's Cemetery, Pakenham, Ontario.

I've previously posted his obituary.  I have yet to locate his wife's obituary...

Blogger reader = Google = Ottawa Citizen = genealogical happy dance!!

While browsing my blogger reading list (I'm not a fan of the Google Reader), I happened to come across the most recent entry (February 2nd) from the "Librarians Helping Canadian Genealogists Climb Family Trees" blog: "Google makes Historical Ottawa Citizen available online"  Wow!

The short entry barely gives anything away, merely excerpting a small clip from a (current) Ottawa Citizen article by Kelly Egan and stating digitalized copies begin (roughly) in 1890.

Deciding to give it a go (though my ancestors lived throughout the western reaches of the Ottawa valley, they rarely strayed (in official records, anyway) towards the city itself), I clicked on the Google link.  Typing in a few keywords ("barber" and "pakenham") and entering "Ottawa Citizen" in the source box, I hit the enter key.  Little did I expect one of the first entries to jump right off the page...

From the Ottawa Citizen, May 2, 1955, p. 4:

Michael Barber
KINBURN (Special) - Funeral service for Michael James Barber, a resident of Kinburn all his life, was held in St. John's Anglican Church, Antrim, Sunday afternoon.  Mr. Barber died at his home Friday after an illness of several weeks.  He was 82.  Rev. P. Caiger Watson conducted the service.  Burial was in St. Mark's Anglican Cemetery.  Mr. Barber leaves his wife, the former Linda Grainger; three daughters, Mrs. Beattie Timmins, of Pakenham, Mrs. Amy Cameron of Arnprior, and Miss. Pearl Barber of Ottawa; and a son, Norman, at home.

http://news.google.ca/newspapers?id=uc0wAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-dwFAAAAIBAJ&dq=barber%20pakenham&pg=4291%2C25754

(click image to enlarge)

(Did I do my genealogy happy dance?  You bet your bottom I did - and startled the dog and the cat in the process! ;-)

This is my great-grandfather!!! 

This (the Ottawa Citizen), is a resource I wouldn't have thought to check.  Arnprior (where my grandmother lived and is closer than Ottawa), had it's own newspaper (Arnprior Chronicle) which I have earmarked for further study (I've previously went over a few surviving issues that the Archives of Ontario had).  I can't wait to explore further...