 |
| The father: William Bruce 1948-present. |
 |
| The heir: John Andrew 1982-present. |
 |
| The spare: Anthony Bruce 1987-present. |
Artwork by John Andrew Hillman.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
The Modern Generation
Here's one way to portray a generation of Hillmans.
Artwork by John Andrew Hillman.
Artwork by John Andrew Hillman.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Elgin County Book Launch
On Saturday October 30th. Jeff Booth’s book “Dreams of Food and Freedom” was launched at the Elgin County Military Museum in St. Thomas, Ontario. The book launch was well attended by surviving veterans, and their families. My brother and I took dad along although I am not sure that he had entirely clued in to what the event was all about. Nevertheless He did recognize some of the items in the displays, and had some interesting comments about them. A few of the other veterans also started to reminisce.
Two of the veterans represented the other side. I approved whole hardly. It was interesting to hear from them about their experiences in a Canadian prisoner of war camp.
The book covers most of the wars in which Elgin County boys participated - The War of 1812, the American Civil War, the South African War, World War 0ne, and World War Two. An excellent addition to the library for a genealogist researching families in Elgin County.
I bought one! The book is available from the Elgin County Military Museum.
Two of the veterans represented the other side. I approved whole hardly. It was interesting to hear from them about their experiences in a Canadian prisoner of war camp.
 |
| Jeff Booth holding book with the veterans who could make it. |
The book covers most of the wars in which Elgin County boys participated - The War of 1812, the American Civil War, the South African War, World War 0ne, and World War Two. An excellent addition to the library for a genealogist researching families in Elgin County.
I bought one! The book is available from the Elgin County Military Museum.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Bits and Pieces
Canadian Naturalization Data Base
Library and Archives Canada has released a new data base “Canadian Naturalization 1915-1951”. This is a data base with a list of those who applied for Canadian citizenship. The reference numbers can be used to request copies of the original naturalization records.
Elgin County P.O.W.’s
Jeff Booth’s new book “Dreams of Food and Freedom” will be launched at the Elgin County Military Museum in St.Thomas on October 30th. from 2pm. to 4pm. The book is a look at the men from Elgin County who were P.O.W.s in both World Wars. Hopefully around seven surviving veterans (including my father) will attend.
Library and Archives Canada has released a new data base “Canadian Naturalization 1915-1951”. This is a data base with a list of those who applied for Canadian citizenship. The reference numbers can be used to request copies of the original naturalization records.
Elgin County P.O.W.’s
Jeff Booth’s new book “Dreams of Food and Freedom” will be launched at the Elgin County Military Museum in St.Thomas on October 30th. from 2pm. to 4pm. The book is a look at the men from Elgin County who were P.O.W.s in both World Wars. Hopefully around seven surviving veterans (including my father) will attend.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Library and Archives Canada - New Data Base
On September 23 Library and Archives Canada launched it’s new data base “Upper Canada Land Petitions (1763-1865)". The data base contains more than 77,000 references to petitions for grants or leases of land by individuals who lived in Upper Canada (Ontario after 1867) from 1863 to 1865. This data base will give you a reference to the microfilm that contains the petition.
For example, a search for Hillman results in six names of which George Hillman(great great great grandfather), and John Hillman (great great grandfather) are listed.
Name: HILLMAN, George
Place: Zone
Year: 1848
Volume: 245
Bundle: H 4
Petition: 127
Microfilm: C-2100
Reference: RG 1 L 3
What remains now is getting my hands on that microfilm.
For example, a search for Hillman results in six names of which George Hillman(great great great grandfather), and John Hillman (great great grandfather) are listed.
Name: HILLMAN, George
Place: Zone
Year: 1848
Volume: 245
Bundle: H 4
Petition: 127
Microfilm: C-2100
Reference: RG 1 L 3
What remains now is getting my hands on that microfilm.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
A Blue Eyed Family
You should know Cary Brothers' song “Blue Eyes”. If not shame on you.
“Cause Blue Eyes
You are all that I need
Cause Blue Eyes
You’re the sweet to my mean”
I have no idea what sweet to my mean means? I’m not with it. Must be a generation gap.
Occasionally I surf through scientific web sites not necessarily understanding what I am reading. I did tend to duck science and math at school as fast as it was thrown at me. Mind you not as fast as I ducked philosophy, and sociology definitely would send me fleeing for the nearest exit.
However, an article in the “Science Daily” web site hit my weird bone. Apparently blue eyed people have a common ancestor who lived sometime during the Neolithic. Mother Nature had thrown up a genetic mutation that had created a switch which turned off the ability to produce brown eyes. ALL RIGHT! We are mutants - what’s my special power? - can I join the X-Men?
I grew up in a blue-eyed clan. My parents, my grandparents, my children all have blue eyes. Sooo - should I come across a Hillman with brown eyes I’ll just cross them off as possible ancestors. Eh!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Saturday Night Genealogical Fun- Your Genealogical T.V. Show
Randy Seaver’s September 3rd. “Saturday Night Genealogical Fun” asks for a timeline and ideas for a genealogical based T.V. show. Be funny or crazy. Well since I am either one or the other we can certainly do that.
For sometime now I have been thinking that some of the episodes in the lives of my ancestors could fit well as a novel (fiction of course). Perhaps it would work in a movie or T.V. show? I am thinking more along the lines of Monty Python.
My great grandfather was in the local militia during the Fenian Raids(1866-1870). His militia unit guarded the town of Sarnia against those nefarious Fenians. Needless to say not a shot was fired. The young men volunteered to protect Queen and country. They supplied their own equipment - muskets, fowling pieces, pitch forks. They rode whatever horse that their father would let them have - broken down plowing horses generally - generally Belgium mixes. Did I mention that this is a cavalry unit. They will be trained by an English officer on loan from the barracks in London. I was thinking that John Cleese would fit this role very well.
In one scene our heroes will practice charge a hill that supposedly The Fenians could be occupying. Think “Charge of the Light Brigade”, although with Belgium crosses perhaps it should be a “Charge of the Heavy Brigade”. Any one who knows anything about these horses knows that a run for them is probably a leisurely stroll for a thoroughbred. Since the average weight of men at that time was around 140 lbs. (60 in the unit), picture 8,400 lbs. of Upper Canadian manhood on 60 tons of horse. Meanwhile, there is time for the British officer to set up a table and chairs for a spot of tea, and cucumber sandwiches, while he watches the action (courtesy of the local farm ladies). I'll work on the love interest later.
Call this action adventure “The Wardsville Raiders”. or “What Did You Do During The Fenian Raids Daddy?”.
For sometime now I have been thinking that some of the episodes in the lives of my ancestors could fit well as a novel (fiction of course). Perhaps it would work in a movie or T.V. show? I am thinking more along the lines of Monty Python.
My great grandfather was in the local militia during the Fenian Raids(1866-1870). His militia unit guarded the town of Sarnia against those nefarious Fenians. Needless to say not a shot was fired. The young men volunteered to protect Queen and country. They supplied their own equipment - muskets, fowling pieces, pitch forks. They rode whatever horse that their father would let them have - broken down plowing horses generally - generally Belgium mixes. Did I mention that this is a cavalry unit. They will be trained by an English officer on loan from the barracks in London. I was thinking that John Cleese would fit this role very well.
In one scene our heroes will practice charge a hill that supposedly The Fenians could be occupying. Think “Charge of the Light Brigade”, although with Belgium crosses perhaps it should be a “Charge of the Heavy Brigade”. Any one who knows anything about these horses knows that a run for them is probably a leisurely stroll for a thoroughbred. Since the average weight of men at that time was around 140 lbs. (60 in the unit), picture 8,400 lbs. of Upper Canadian manhood on 60 tons of horse. Meanwhile, there is time for the British officer to set up a table and chairs for a spot of tea, and cucumber sandwiches, while he watches the action (courtesy of the local farm ladies). I'll work on the love interest later.
Call this action adventure “The Wardsville Raiders”. or “What Did You Do During The Fenian Raids Daddy?”.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
This Week's Favorites
The film collection of the Canadian National Exhibition has been made possible on Youtube through funding by the EMC Heritage Trust. The C.N.E. or simply the Ex was founded in 1879 in Toronto and bills itself as the fifth largest fair in North America. This is more nostalgia than genealogy; but I love it!
They are at it again, it seems, in La La Land. Now they are feeding booze to cattle apparently to improve the texture of the meat. If true it would seem that my days of sweating over a hot stove trying to make a red wine sauce are over.
John D. Reid reports that Glen Wright’s book “Canadians At War, 1914 - 1919: A Research Guide to War Service Records” is published an will be available at Library and Archives Canada. Not of much interest I think with the general public - but I am getting a copy.
I highly recommend Colleen Fitzpatrick’s “Forensic Genealogy”. I even get some of the quiz’s correct! Imagine that.
James Tanner has an excellent article on rules for buying a new computer for genealogy. Mind you I have never been good at following the rules so I will probably be breaking them.
Thomas MacEntee’s new book “Approaching The Lectern: How To Become A Genealogy Speaker” is now available in print. Having heard many Genealogists, and Historians, speak at conferences I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to them. However, as for myself, I prefer to wing it.
They are at it again, it seems, in La La Land. Now they are feeding booze to cattle apparently to improve the texture of the meat. If true it would seem that my days of sweating over a hot stove trying to make a red wine sauce are over.
John D. Reid reports that Glen Wright’s book “Canadians At War, 1914 - 1919: A Research Guide to War Service Records” is published an will be available at Library and Archives Canada. Not of much interest I think with the general public - but I am getting a copy.
I highly recommend Colleen Fitzpatrick’s “Forensic Genealogy”. I even get some of the quiz’s correct! Imagine that.
James Tanner has an excellent article on rules for buying a new computer for genealogy. Mind you I have never been good at following the rules so I will probably be breaking them.
Thomas MacEntee’s new book “Approaching The Lectern: How To Become A Genealogy Speaker” is now available in print. Having heard many Genealogists, and Historians, speak at conferences I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to them. However, as for myself, I prefer to wing it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)