Bruce County Genealogical Society

Box 1083, Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada N0H 2C0

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Projects & Events

On this page you will find information about ongoing  projects, planned reunions and upcoming events. If you have something related to Bruce County genealogy or local history that you would like to see listed on this page, send the information to us at brucecgs@yahoo.ca.

Upcoming Events

2009 Homecoming Scotland, a year long celebration.

Past Events

Ontario Trillium Foundation Makes a $19,000 Grant to the Bruce County Genealogical Society

In July 2005, the Bruce County Genealogical Society (BCGS), in collaboration with the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre (BCM&CC), received a $19,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The OTF made their formal cheque presentation to the BCGS on the night of the BCM&CC grand opening in September 2005. Taking part in this presentation were Grey-Bruce-Owen Sound MP Larry Miller, Huron Bruce MP Paul Steckle, Huron Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch, OTF representative Nelson Robertson, Bruce County Warden Mark Kraemer, BCGS vice-president Audrey Underwood and BCM&CC staff members Ann-Marie Collins and David Sharron.

The primary objective of this initiative is to improve access to the historical information on microfilms that are housed in the BCM&CC. With the requested funds, the BCGS purchased a new microfilm reader / printer / scanner and two microfilm storage cabinets. This equipment is housed in the Reading Room of the BCM&CC. Genealogists, historians, students, and many others will benefit directly from this grant. The BCM&CC has about 875 rolls of microfilm and 500 sheets of microfiche available to the public. These records include 22 local newspapers spanning from 1848 to 1998, census records from 1841 to 1901, Ontario vital statistics (births, deaths and marriages) from 1869 to 1933, and various other records from genealogical societies, women's organizations, cemeteries, and personal papers. Without the proper equipment to store and view these important records, the information would be inaccessible.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is a catalyst that enables Ontarians to work together to enhance the quality of life in their communities. They believe that communities across Ontario are rich in talent, creativity and drive, and their grants stimulate communities to build on these assets. To learn more about the Ontario Trillium Foundation, visit their website - www.trilliumfoundation.org.

Projects

150th Anniversary of the First Saugeen Township Council Meeting

In January, 1854, the first election in Saugeen Township, (the 2nd township to be created) was held at Belcher's Tavern in Southampton, then called Saugeen.

On January 16, 1854 the first Council meeting was held at Mr. Cathay's home in Southampton. A re-enactment of that first meeting was held on Jan 16, 2004, the 150th anniversary of that first meeting, in the same home.

A committee of local people is now exploring the people who were involved in that first council. They are: John Valentine, Alex McNabb, John Smith, James Calder and Thomas Turner. This committee would like a picture and a biographical sketch of each of these men. Are there descendants or others out there who could give us family history, photos, and other particulars of these our first administrators of a community known as Saugeen Township, now known as Saugeen Shores?

Please contact Audrey at aumelrosefarm@bmts.com

Who remembers Dunblane ??

The very tiny hamlet of Dunblane is situated at the junction of the townships of Saugeen, Arran & Elderslie, Bruce County, with the Snake Creek flowing through its clay hills. This was an interesting little community during the latter half of the 1800s, and I am trying to do a story of its people. Stories that have not already been in print are the exciting ones. Do YOU have any stories or knowledge of the families therein? The Lovell's Canadian Dominion Directory of 1871 lists these families as getting their mail at the Post Office there: Armstrong, Archibald, farmer; Bryce, Thomas, farmer; Craig, James, farmer; Craig, Timothy, farmer; Dunlop, William, farmer; Fraser, Donald, farmer; Fraser, John, postmaster; Jones, Henry, farmer; Jones, Mrs. E., storekeeper; Kelly, Peter, farmer; McKechnie, John, millright; Monro, Duncan, sawyer; Rowand, James, J.P., reeve, farmer; Scott, Robert, farmer; Scott, William, farmer; Stark, James, grist and saw mill; Talford, William, blacksmith; Thomas, G.W., veterinary surgeon; Wallace, David, farmer; Wallace, John, farmer; Wilson, --, weaver.

This is an on-going project. Any family histories or tales of the area would be most welcome. Please contact Audrey Underwood, by e-mail at aumelrosefarm@bmts.com.