Cure Alls in 1901

I think that I have mentioned that I am easily distracted while researching - actually when I am doing anything at all. While researching Boer War veterans I couldn't helped by being distracted by cure all ads in the papers of the time. All of these ads come from "The London Advertiser", December 1901. Put these in a genealogical context !

Castoria was a herbal soda pop - seed of this and seed of that in carbonated water. What popped into my head was Castor Oil ! My experience was that the crying usually occured after a dose.

I can see that corset pain must have been a scourge for women in 1901. Not only that but Omega Oil apparently cured back pain, arthritic pain, headache pain (probably due to the corset), and nervous anxiety (also due to the corset, I bet.). What more did you need ladies ?

In case the Omega Oil didn't work for dyspepsia just snap your fingers people, and try Royal Baking Powder. Baking powder for dyspepsia ?- who knew !

Now for my personal favourite.

An electric belt can do that? What about in a thunderstorm? I wish I knew about this sucker when I was in my 20's. Talk about looking good on the beach. Gee and all that sweating in the gym that I did. No kicking sand in this guy's face!

The Modern Generation

Here's one way to portray a generation of Hillmans.

The father: William Bruce 1948-present.



The heir: John Andrew 1982-present.



The spare: Anthony Bruce 1987-present.

Artwork by John Andrew Hillman.

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.

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.

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 - 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.

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 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?”.