Category: Archive Alley

Written By Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives When one thinks of Valentine’s Day, romance, chocolates, cards and flowers come to mind. From stories of St. Valentines (there were several) to…

Author Maria Moore shares historical insights and herpersonal story at Glencoe Presbyterian Church. The Old Colony Mennonite story stretches across continents and centuries—a journey shaped by faith, identity, and the…

Written By Sid Prior, Middlesex Centre Archives William Henry Fonger was the son of Alfred (Alf) Fonger and Mary Jane Lipsett, but went by Harry most of his life. He…

Written By Kae Elgie For many of us, December brings thoughts of Christmas feasts from our past. We hunt up favourite recipes, place orders for fresh Christmas fowl, bake treats…

Written By Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives Every family celebrates holidays based on tradition and what is currently in vogue. Often those traditions have roots in the “Old Country”, and…

Written By Kellie Davenport As our Uber approached the stately manor house at Grimston Park, a historic North Yorkshire estate about 25 minutes west of York, the size of the…

Written By Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives Often, in wartime, our thoughts turn to the horrors, suffering and grief. However, the arts had a role to play. Soldiers in the…

Written By Mary Simpson & Ron McRae When Ron McRae first began researching how to build a cedar strip canoe, it was during the COVID outbreak and at the urging…

Written By Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives November 11th is fast approaching. With that our thoughts turn to the promise of hope for lasting world peace. Today, once again that…

Written By Bill Simpson St John’s Anglican sits at the heart of Glencoe at the junction of Main St and Concession Drive, a corner it shares with the Presbyterian and…

Written By Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives “Mommy, do we have anyone there?” asked a chorus of little voices from the back seat of the car as we passed by…

Written By Emma Stack There is never a doubt that a soldier marching obediently into a volley of musket fire is a hero. An army surgeon, his white apron stained…

Written By Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives Many of those churches that have remained open have a long history. Most went through transformations from log, to frame to brick, with…

Written By Brian Huis Cemeteries can serve as public parks, providing green spaces and a sense of place as well as cultural and historical context for local communities. Many graveyards,…

Written By Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives According to Delaware and Westminster Townships Honouring Our Roots Volume 1, many of their churches have closed their doors. In fact, the village…

Written By Kellie Davenport Penned in 1853, this letter of reference launched the Alexander family legacy in Canada—and a long line of dedicated Ontario farmers. More than 170 years later,…

Written By Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives When settlement first began, often the first building that was constructed, after the pioneers’ residences, was a structure that served initially as a…

Written By Len Cuthbert We were a young family of four, moving back to Ontario after living on Vancouver Island for four years. Every home buyer seeking their next place…

Written By Sid Prior, Middlesex Centre Archives Home Children was a child migration scheme founded by Annie McPherson in 1869. Over 100, 000 children were shipped from Britain to Australia,…

Written By Paul Langan Orval Shaw, a name that once echoed through over 40 cities, towns and countryside of Ontario, was more than just a petty criminal. He was a…

Written By Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives Are historical records being stored safely? Are the records paper or digital? Are copies stored in a separate location? These questions are important…

Written By Carrie Jeffery Imagine for a moment the mystery of your history. Personal storytelling can be both fun and provide new perspectives on how we came to be. These…

Written By Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives Depending on sources, some give the date of formation of Middlesex County as 1798 when the London District was created. The Archives of…

Written By Glenn Stott The Battle of Longwoods fought on Wednesday, March 4, 1814, was not a major battle in the context of the War of 1812 but its story…

Written By Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives Middlesex County has a long and rich history. This year, 2025, marks a special milestone. It is 225 years since the name of…

Written By Chip Martin The operator of the ferry that had just carried passengers across the Niagara River to the landing at Fort Erie from Buffalo that October 28, 1830…

Written By Dave Zavitz, Middlesex Centre Archives The second of five children, Anna Shotwell Hampton was born 2 September 1835 in Orchard Park, New York near Buffalo to Asa Hampton…

Written By Reverend Enos Montour Why should Santa disappoint his Brown Tom in his White man’s School—this “Mush Hole,” as the older boys called it? Oatmeal porridge had never been…

Written By Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives It is December already! Time to turn our thoughts to Christmas preparations. The coming days will be filled with finding just the right…

Written By Reverend Enos Montour Sunday, May 16th, 1915, dawned a beautiful pre-summer day. It was the second year of the First Great War. But to the native children, Loyalist…