Random Acts of Kindness

I'm having a great week for random acts of kindness...

The first was from my newly found cousin Mary Anne. She took the time to pull out a box of her parent's things and dug up some photos to send to me. One was of our great grandfather John Manley. I already had one picture of him but it's very small and it doesn't give a good sense of what he looked like. In the picture that Mary Anne sent me I can see exactly what he looked like and I'm still smiling. Thank you Mary Anne ;-)

John J. Manley (1854-1933)

with Grandsons, Thomas (Left) and James (Right)

The second was from the St. Joseph's Care Group in Thunder Bay, ON. I went to get my mail this morning and there was a package containing a book commemorating St. Joseph's Hospital on it's 125th Anniversary. It is full of the early history of the hospital with lots of photos. This is significant to me because my great Aunt, Mary Flynn, later known as Mother Monica was the Foundress of St. Joseph's in 1884. She was the sister of my great grandmother Maggie Flynn who was married to John in the picture above. I haven't written about Mother Monica yet but will soon...I have so much information on her, it's going to be a big one. She is one of my ''truly amazing ancestors''. I had been in contact with the hospital last year looking for information. The fact that they remembered my interest and surprised me with this book really is a random act of kindness.

Seems appropriate to write this today, with it being Thanksgiving. We already had Thanksgiving in Canada in October, so Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends across the border. Today I am grateful for many things but especially to my cousin Mary Anne and the thoughtful people at the St. Joseph's Care Group.

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom ~ Marcel Proust

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Wordless Wednesday - Vine Reunion Panorama

Various Vine's at Vine Family Reunion

Queen Victoria Park, Niagara Falls, ON circa early 1920's

List of Names

Printed on Back of Photo

 © 2009 Kindred Footprints

Wordless Wednesday - Glencastle, Co Mayo, Ireland

Glencastle, County Mayo, Ireland

Ancestral Home of Edward Manley (1819-1903)

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

George Adam Vine (1856-1953)

George Adam Vine was my 2nd Great Grandfather. He was a life long butcher and businessman, trap shooter, non smoker, non drinker and he sparred with ''Gentleman Jim'' Corbett in San Francisco. I think I would have liked to have known him.

George was born in Niagara Township, Ontario, Canada on November 17, 1856, 7th child of James Vine and Hannah Barker. He appears in the 1861 Census in Stamford Twp. with his family. Around 1864 the family moved to Louth Twp, Lot 23, Concession 5 where they built the ''Vine'' farm. He was baptized by Rev. J.B. Howard in Louth Twp. on December 26th, 1866 at the age of 10. His baptism was recorded in the Wesleyan Methodist Baptismal Register, Vol 2, P.337. He appears again with his family on the 1871 Census.

Sometime during the 1870's George left home and went on an adventure to California. He traveled by train and spent some time in San Francisco, CA where he befriended James Corbett, later known as "Gentleman Jim", a Heavyweight Boxing Champion. After a while he settled in Santa Rosa, CA where he worked as a sheep butcher for a few years. By 1879 he had returned to Canada.

George married Ada (Addie) Alice Burtch on the 9th of April, 1879 in St. Catharines. Addie was born on December 6, 1860 and was the daughter of Israel Monson Burtch and Jane Slack of Louth Twp. The witnesses to the marriage were Charles Vine (George's brother) and Maggie Glass.

In 1880 George and Addie had their first child, Frank Charles born on the 21st of February in Grantham Twp. By the time of the 1881 Census the young family had moved to Stamford Twp. On the 8th of November, 1881 their second son, William Norton was born. These were the only children George and Addie had.

I'm not sure exactly when they moved, but as early as 1890 the family appears in Crookston, Minnesota where George established a meat market. In 1891 the ''Vine Block'' was built where George operated his business. This building is featured on a slide show titled ''Self Guided Walking Tour of Old Crookston'' from the visitcrookston.com website.

In 1897 George and family traveled back to Canada to attend the 50th Wedding Anniversary of his parents, James and Hannah Vine. Two years later, his father James Vine died and it would seem that George immediately packed up his life in Crookston and moved his family back to Canada. In 1901 George, Addie and both sons appear in the census in Grantham Twp. but not at the family farm. George started a butcher business in St. Catharines on Queen St, near King St and continued to do this until around 1930 when he retired.

George Vine (center) in his Butcher Shop
St. Catharines, ON

Vine Butcher Shop

Queen Street, St. Catharines, ON

In 1909, William Norton, 2nd son of George and Addie Vine passed away at the age of 27. I cannot find a death registration for him in Ontario and I have a feeling he may have been living in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the time of his death but more on this later. On the 31 of January, 1910 Frank Charles, 1st son of George and Addie Vine was married to Luella Catherine Hiscott, daughter of Albert James Hiscott and Diana Wood Haynes. I believe that this was when they moved to the family farm. I also believe that it was around this time that Hannah Vine, widow of James moved from the farm to 80 Welland Ave. in St. Catharines where she remained until her death. In 1910 George bought a home in St. Catharines at 109 Queen Street. He remained there for three years. In 1913 he bought the property at 186 Ontario Street where he remained for the rest of his life.

George and Addie Vine
109 Queen Street, St. Catharines, ON

George and Addie Vine
186 Ontario Street, St. Catharines, ON

St. Catharines Standard, January 30, 1913; Interview with George Vine regarding his views on the proposed King Street Viaduct...

"Few Oppose and Many Demand the King Street Viaduct"

St. Catharines Standard, November 17, 1951; Interview with George Vine on the occasion of his 95th Birthday...

"Happy 95th Birthday Mr. Vine"

Addie (Burtch) Vine died on the 8th of December, 1948. George died on the 9th of June, 1953 at the Maplehurst Hospital in Thorold, ON. He was 97 years old. George and Addie are buried together in the ''Vine Family Plot'' at Victoria Lawn Cemetery in St. Catharines, ON, Canada.

Obituary, St. Catharines Standard, June 9, 1953;

George Vine widely known and highly respected throughout the community and one of this city's oldest residents, of 186 Ontario St., passed away early this morning at Maplehurst Hospital, Thorold following a prolonged illness. In his 97th year, the late Mr. Vine was born in Niagara Township and had been a life-long resident of this district and for many years successfully carried on a butcher business from which he retired in 1930. In his younger life he was interested in all branches of sport, especially trap shooting. He was one of the oldest members of Welland Avenue Church and it will be with sincere regret that a host of friends will learn of his demise. He is survived by a son, Frank C. Vine of Grantham Township, a sister, Miss Laura Vine of this city, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The late Mr. Vine will rest at the Butler and Son Funeral Home, 33 Duke St., where service will be held on Thursday afternoon at 3:15 o'clock with interment in Victoria Lawn Cemetery.

Funeral, St. Catharines Standard, June 12, 1953;

Many relatives and friends gathered yesterday afternoon to attend the funeral of George Vine, 186 Ontario Street, and pay their final tribute of respect to one of this city's oldest residents, the service being held from the Butler and Son funeral home, 33 Duke Street, with Rev. J.M. Would officiating. The grave being banked with many beautiful floral tokens of sympathy. Interment took place in the family plot in Victoria Lawn Cemetery, Mr. Would also conducting the committal service. The following relatives of the deceased acted as casket bearers; Messrs. George Vine, Edward Vine, Clifford Vine, Donald Vine, grandsons; Clayton Vine and William Vine, grand-nephews.

Children of George Vine and Addie Burtch:
Frank Charles (1880-1961)
William Norton (1881-1909)

Parents of George Vine:
James Vine (1826-1899)
Hannah Barker (1832-1912)

Parents of Addie Burtch:
Israel Monson Burtch
Jane Slack

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Edward Manley (1849 < 1861)

This Edward Manley is a bit of a mystery to me. He was on the U.S. Federal Census in Portage, Livingston Co, New York in 1850 as the son of Edward and Margaret Manley, born in 1849. He doesn't appear anywhere else in the future. In the 1861 Census of Canada, Edward and Margaret appear in Grantham Twp. with three children, John, Hugh and Mary but no Edward. Later that year they had another son and named him Edward.

So I have to presume that this Edward died sometime before 1861. I have not been able to find a death record. The only clue I have is the cemetery records from Lakeview Cemetery in Thorold, ON. I have the record for the plot that contains the graves of Edward and Margaret Manley. It is a ''family'' plot and has provisions for up to six people. The six people buried here are;

1. Edward Manley
2. Margaret Manley (Dixon), wife of Edward
   
3. John Manley, son of Edward
   
4. Maggie Manley (Flynn), wife of John
   
5. Edward, see note
   
6. Margaret Griffin, see note
   

No 5. Edward - I am wondering if this could be our Edward, born in 1849. All of the other Edward's in the family are accounted for.

No 6. Margaret Griffin - This is the stillborn child of the sister-in-law of Edward (the 2nd Edward born in 1861), son of Edward and Margaret.

So, to Edward born in 1849, this is your page. I wish we knew more about you.

Parents of Edward Manley:
Edward Manley (1819-1903)
Margaret Dixon (1821-1881)

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Tombstone Tuesday - George Vine

 

My 2nd Great Grandparents

George Vine (1856-1953) and Addie Burtch (1860-1948)

George's Grandson, George C. Vine (1911-1973) and his wife Doris Routley (1909-1971)

Victoria Lawn Cemetery, St. Catharines, ON, Canada

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Tombstone Tuesday - "MANLEY" Headstone

"MANLEY" Headstone

Old Lakeview Cemetery, Thorold, ON, Canada

Individual Flat Markers in front

Father; John E., Grandparents; Jack & Margaret (McDonald), Cousin; Peggy (Dolan)

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Kreativ Blogger Award

I've been working on my family history for about five years or so but I've only been blogging about it for a few weeks. When I discovered this morning that I've been nominated for a Kreativ Blogger award I was kind of blown away.

Thank you so much to Kelly (Herstoryan) and Elizabeth  (Littlebytesoflife) for sending this along to me. I absolutely love your blogs and look forward to sharing many more stories with you. And thank you to Thomas at Geneabloggers for his encouragement to start blogging. It's becoming a little addictive. You all  ROCK!!

The rules of the Kreativ Blog award state that I must reveal 7 things about myself that you probably don't know and then pass the reward on to 7 more Kreativ Bloggers. The 7 things about myself will take some thought, but finding 7 Kreativ Bloggers to pass this on to will be no problem at all. There are so many amazing, inspiring bloggers out there with great stories being told.

What you might not know about me;

1. If given the choice of buying something or making it myself, I will always choose to make it myself. Like cooking from scratch or sewing/knitting something.

2. I've spent half my life working in the transportation business and have decided to spend the other half doing something else. I'm hoping to get into a Library Information Science program this January. Fingers crossed.

3. I'm half Irish, half English and Catholic (talk about conflicted) and am married to a Russian/German Mennonite. Makes for an interesting family tree.

4. I have a HUGE fear of heights, but I didn't let it stop me from riding the Niagara SkyWheel (a gigantic ferris wheel) earlier this year. I will fly on a plane to get somewhere but I WON'T LIKE IT.

5. My ''hometown'' is about 2 hours away from where I live now, so going there on day trips to explore cemeteries, libraries and visit old relatives is one of my favorite things to do.

6. I'm reading the classics by way of my iPhone. When I need some down time, I make a cup of tea, grab my knitting, put in my earphones and listen away while I knit. Right now, it's Emma by Jane Austen.

7. I went to the remote, north west part of Ireland last year just so I could stand in the spot that my ancestors came from and breathe the air. It was the most remarkable experience of my life.

Now I pass the Kreativ Blogger Award to these 7 bloggers;

We Tree
Life From The Roots
Tonia's Roots
Apple's Tree
Acadian and French-Canadian Ancestral Home's
Grace and Glory
Canada Genealogy, or, 'Jane's Your Aunt'

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

Genealogy and Serendipity...

I'm going to take a detour from genealogy facts for a moment and tell you about one of those goosebump raising "Genealogy and Serendipity'' moments. I can't believe how many of these I have had over the past few years.

About 3 years ago I was ''surfing'' for anything Irish and came across a site of Irish cultures and traditions and started reading an article called ''Shrovetide - The Marrying Season''. It was written by Bridget Haggerty and posted on the site www.irishcultureandcustoms.com

As I started reading it talked about the match-making season starting the day after Epiphany, January 6th. That stuck out because I got married on January 6th. Then my eyes scrolled over to the picture attached to the article and the goosebumps popped out. The picture on the post is the same picture that was on my Wedding Thank-You cards...and I got married long before I had done any genealogy work or knew anything about my Irish ancestry.

The Wedding Procession by Samuel Luke Fildes

You can read the article here...

PS - I'm still waiting for my husband to surprise me with a framed print of this picture. Wink, wink, hint, hint...

© 2009 Kindred Footprints

The King Street Viaduct

Article published in the St. Catharines Standard, January 30, 1913 with ''Comments from prominent St. Catharines businessmen regarding the proposed King Street bridge"

George Vine - "The building of the King Street Viaduct will open up thousands of acres of the finest land for factory sites and building lots" is the way George Vine, 186 Ontario St., views the proposition. "Think how long the ravine would remain unbridged in a progressive western city! Only long enough to get the work done. And that is how it should be here. One has only to look across the canal to see this section to realize the vast possibilities ahead of the city when it is properly opened up. It is an ideal location for great manufacturies and with the bridge erected the many progressive firms in the United States who are looking to locate Canadian branches would readily be impressed with the splendid advantages offered. The coming of factories means the coming of workmen, and these men must have homes. And this addition to our population would make the demand for stores to supply the needs of those homes. I am not the son of a prophet, but I can see a great future ahead for that section, when the viaduct becomes an accomplished fact, as I feel sure it will. Let me tell you something. This city within the last week has realized a wonderful change of sentiment regarding that bridge. I can name you many men who formerly opposed the Viaduct who are now supporters and many more who had been only half-hearted supporters who are now enthusiasts. I have spent considerable time among the people of the west end and I can vouch for a decided number who have told me that their votes will go for ''the ideal route'' for they now realize the great advantage it will be to the city as a whole".

"Speaking of the alternate route for a moment, my idea is that there is no earthly use in spending money to build a bridge that will soon have to be rebuilt, and which at least will be but a zig zag eyesore".

"The King Street route is our only proper outlet, "the ideal route" that within a reasonable radius will open to us valuable territory from which the revenue will within a very short time more than doubly repay the cost of the bridge. Let the good work go on".

© 2009 Kindred Footprints