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*Newsletters Archive*
| July 17, 2000 | |
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South Shore Genealogical Society PO Box 901 68 Bluenose Drive Lunenburg NS B0J 2C0 Phone : 1-902-634-4794 Ext. 26 ssgsoc@hotmail.com www.rootsweb.com/~nslssgs Open - Summer Hours June to August 31, 2000 :Monday - Friday 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Zellers - Club Z#: 840345301 |
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Meeting Notice
The regular meeting of the SSGS will be held July 17, 2000 in the Society Room of the Fisheries
Museum of the Atlantic at 7:30 pm.
Presentation: "School Records in Lunenburg County - A previously Hidden Source for Genealogical Research". Joan Parks, an adult educator and family historian whose roots are in Lunenburg County, will discuss how to approach research in old school records. Using examples of her own family research in the records, she will demonstrate ways of gleaning information about pupils, teachers and school trustees. Other local education related sources that can assist your research will also be presented.
With the recently acquired Lun. Co. school records, this program will provide an opportunity to become familiar with a new source for your family research.
The SSGS received one grant this summer, enabling Karen Rafuse to return for a second season. Welcome back Karen!
On April 25, 2000, more than 170 headstones were knocked over, many broken beyond repair, in the Brookside Cemetery, Bridgewater NS.
Three teens were arrested - one 18 year old and two young offenders. Brian Buckley, 18, pled guilty to the charge of property damage exceeding $5,000 during a June appearance in Bridgewater Provincial Court. The other teens, a 17 year old from Bridgewater and a 15 year old from Queens County are also charged in connection with the vandalism. They will go on trial in July.
It is estimated that the cemetery damage totalled as much as $100,000. In addition to the desecration of the headstones, a maintenance building was also damaged.
Congratulations to Terrence M. Punch CG(C), who received a Doctorate of Letters from Saint Mary's University. Dr. Punch is an award winning educator, genealogist and historian. The Saint Mary's graduate spent 29 years teaching secondary school in Halifax. He has headed many genealogical organizations, both local and international.
Local History
...April 15, 1924 Bridgewater Bulletin
Note: This is an interesting example of Lunenburg County history recorded in an obituary, in the local newspapers.
MISS MARGARET PERNETTE
The death of Miss Margaret Georgeanna Geldert Pernette occurred at her home in East LaHave on April 3, 1924. The interment took place on April 5 from the residence of Mr. Henry Pernette of West LaHave Ferry, who kindly undertook the responsibility of this last ceremony to his aged relative, the last of the generation. Rev. Mr. Bradbury acceptably conducted the funeral service which was held in St. Peter's Church, the founding of which her great-grandfather, Colonel Joseph Pernette had been so interested, and the remains of Miss Pernette were laid beside those of her sister, Eliza, who had predeceased her about eight years ago.
Of wonderful constitution and iron will, Miss Pernette, at the age of past ninety years, had attended to her own wants and called frequently on a neighbour, Mrs. Crouse, who was very kind to her, until some two or three years before her death. The previous winter she had spent in comfort and under the care of her relative, 'the Oxners' of the "Big House". But, preferring to live in solitude, she insisted on returning to East LaHave where she ended her days in the old home.
The passing of this estimable and eccentric old lady will be noted with interest by all who are acquainted with the history of our country. Her great grandfather, Colonel Joseph Pernette, who served under Wolfe in the taking of Quebec, afterwards removed to Halifax and there applied for a grant of land which he obtained and which is still in existence. It included about 22,000 acres and extended some distance above the town of Bridgewwater, the western corner being at Newcombville and the southern corner at a point in Petite Riviere. The easterly line ran through Mount Pleasant to the LaHave River, the bound being the Garret Miller corner. Mr. Garret Miller Sr. married a daughter of Colonel Pernette and purchased from his brother-in-law, John Pernette, the property which is now known as the original Miller homestead.
Colonel Pernette married Frederick Augusta, daughter of Dr. Errad, who came to this country under the protection of Lord Halifax, as physician to the settlers. By the union he had fifteen children, ten daughters and five sons. Miss Margaret Pernette, being descendant from the fourth son, Lieut. Michael Pernette. He married a daughter of Colonel Russel, Governor of Louisbourg and also of Halifax. Lieut. Michael had one daughter, who married S.P. Freeman, Barrister of Liverpool at that time, and one son Charles. Miss Pernette's mother having been Miss Geldert of Shelburne, sister of the late George Geldert of Lunenburg, and William Geldert of Bridgewater. Mrs. Hoyt and Mrs. Beardsley were daughters of the latter.
Miss Pernette had one brother, Joseph Newton Pernette, whose son, Russell, is still living in Massachusetts.
....submitted by Mary Saul
...April 17, 1935 Bridgewater Bulletin
(The original Speidel Home at Northwest, Lunenburg County was pictured in the article).
This is all that is left of the old Speidel house built about 1755. It seems pitiful to see these old historical landmarks passing out. Is there no way or means by which they could be preserved?
Its picturesque setting is all but faded away. But a visit to the original plan or grant of one hundred and seventy acres revives within us the old-time spirit. The first living place was a hut by the Indian Trail made of stone and hemlock bark.
This old house was in use, one way or another, about one hundred and eight years; soon gone but not forgotten, at least by the writer, being the great-great-grandson of this grand old family, who has an old Psalm book (German) with music, dated 1723; the family Bible (German) 1784, and a birch bark box decorated with porcupine quills made by the Indians, also furniture from this old mansion which is situated three miles from the Town of Lunenburg on the Blockhouse road.
This worn out dwelling (used as a shop and wagon house for many years) was once filled with charm and delight. Three generations have lived under its roof. It was once surrounded by many stately trees.
"Where the trees with looks of love.
Spread their whispering leaves of love."
Scenery of Exquisite Beauty as seen from the crest
"Of hill, and valley, rivers, woods and plain,
Now land, now sea, and shores with forest crowned."
Numerous islands are seen from the rear of the homestead, unrivalled beauty of the broad Atlantic reigns. The ocean view and the white sails of the passing ships in the extreme distance with its gentle sloping fields of green is superb.
Jacob Speidel, born approximately 1710, was among the first to embark from Germany in the ship Ann, in 1750. Arrived at Halifax NS in the same year. Two years later he married Magdeline Eisenhaur. This marriage was crowned with one child, a son. Jacob was among the charter members of Lunenburg Town 1753 (M.B. DesBrisay History, pg. 69 & 72).
Nicholas, son of Jacob, was the first Speidel to be born in Nova Scotia. Born 1760 and died 1848, age 89. He married Eve Cotton Demon, who was born 1770 and died 1854 at the age of 84. Thirteen children were born to them: George, Frederick, Joseph, Nicholas, Jacob, John, Sophia, Lizzie, Magdeline, Betsy, Eve (or Elizabeth, Katie and Lucy).
Northwest is credited with being the 'Home of the Baptist'.
"The Lunenburg Baptist Church was organized in Northwest in 1812 and is considered the parent church of the country." (M.B. DesBrisay History, pg. 159)
The great-great grandfather, as well as the great grandfather of all the Speidels in Nova Scotia, as well as my grandfather and great-uncle, are resting in this old churchyard.
The Foreign Protestant in Nova Scotia: the German Legacy 1750-2000
...from the NS Genealogist , Spring 2000
September 2000 marks the 250th anniversary of the arrival at Halifax of the vessel Ann. On board were the first of several shiploads of central European immigrants from Germany, known in provincial history as the Foreign Protestants - both German and French-speaking colonists.
To celebrate that event and the German contribution to the colonial history of Nova Scotia, a symposium has been proposed for September 30, 2000. The Genealogical Institute of the Maritimes, in co-operation with the Gorsebrook Research Institute of Saint Mary's University, is organizing the event which will offer studies of the migration and German heritage by professional historians.
A call for papers will solicit proposals addressing such topics as historical origins, cultural contributions, architecture, the colonial experience, family linkages and religion. In addition, a special memorial service will be held at the Little Dutch Church in Halifax on October 1st. A walking tour of German heritage sites in the city is to be arranged.
Visitors to the province will want to make a trip to Lunenburg which was founded in 1753 by the Foreign Protestants and is now a United Nations World Heritage Site. A walking tour of the German sites of interest in Halifax will be made available to any wishing to participate.
Pre-registration by July 31st is $20.00 by cheque or money order to Saint Mary's University. Late registration is $25.00 to cover breaks and buffet lunch.
The German government has been receptive to having a scholar from Germany attend the symposium. Local provincial officials and businesses are encouraged to support this momentous celebration.
Expressions of interest in presenting papers and pre-registraion may be directed to:
Dr. Allen B. Robertson, Ph.D., CG(C)
2317 Connaught Avenue
Halifax NS B3L 2Z2
902-429-5958
email: allen.robertson@ns.sympatico.ca
...forwarded by Doug Joudrey
(An article by Bill Mumford, member of the Alberta Family History Society)
"The Best Genealogy Program? Which genealogy program is the best one on the market?" There isn't any simple answer.
A lot depends upon a person's personal preferences and upon his or her objectives. For instance, one program may excel at color graphics, another may produce huge printed wall charts, a third program may be better at creating fancy web pages to be placed on a personal genealogy site and still a fourth program may be the best at recoding notes and sources of every scrap of information found.
The Master Genealogist obtained the highest overall rating at 73. 8 points, edging out The Ultimate Family Tree by eight-tenths of one point (73.0 points).
http://www.cadvision.com/mumford/reportcard
Smile
Census Taker
The census taker knocked on the lady's door. She politely answered all his questions except one - she refused to tell him her age.
"But everyone tells their age to the census taker," he complained.
"Did Miss Maisy Hill, and Miss Daisy Hill tell you their ages?" she asked.
"Certainly" he replied haughtily.
"Well, I'm the same age as they are." she snapped and slammed the door shut.
The census taker simply wrote on the form, "As old as the Hills."
author unknown
Sophia Charlotte Silver was born on Heckman's Island on 13 March 1831 and died on 12 July 1912.
Sophia was the youngest daughter of Jacob & Elizabeth (Emeneau) Silber. She married, first, John William Westhofer and lived in Mahone Bay. After his death in 1864, she married John Philip Ross of Middle LaHave and lived in Wilkie's Cove.
In Philip Ross' will (1879), he left her..."the other part of my homestead in which I now reside, together with the other part of the house, 2 barns, outhouses, also a loom house and with the loom, all my household furniture..."
What is a loom house? How common were they in Lunenburg County? Is it possible that a loom house was needed for commercial production?
*Note - Sophia Ross would be my gggrandfather's sister and I now own property that was once Ross land in Wilkie's Cove.
....by Joan Parks
Chris Young has been in conversation with Dr. Andrew Nurse at Mount Allison University about the reprinting of "The Foreign Protestants and the Settlement of Nova Scotia".
At last count there are 60 advance orders. When they receive enough orders, they will reprint the book.
The price has not been determined as yet. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, you may contact the following:
Dr. Andrew Nurse
Mount Allison University
Sackville NB
email: anurse@mta.ca
The SSGS would like to offer our condolence to the Chambers and Romkey families on the recent passing of Lillian Romkey, West Dublin.
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